Android Tablet or CarPlay?

Ron Z

So I’m trying to decide what might be the better for my motorcycle. I’m not sure if this makes a difference, but I’m in the Apple ecosystem. CarPlay will give me access to the inRoute route creation and navigation app that I also use. However a rugged Android tablet will offer the full functionality of the MRA Next app, along with other Android apps. Also the Android tablet will give me a slightly bigger screen that I wouldn’t mind.
Has anyone else gone through this decision, and if so, what did you decide on and why?

Con Hennekens

@Ron-Z, personally, I would have nothing else but the native app. If you want to stick to IOS you could try the mini tablet with some sort of ruggedized case. If you allow yourself to enter the Android Realm, there is a plethora of natively ruggedized devices

I see myself ONLY using CP/AA when it happens to be factory build in some future car/bike. I consider it an extra layer of complexity.

But I know some people disagree

Ron Z

@Con-Hennekens Thanks. I considered an iPad mini, but the screen brightness isn’t enough to handle direct sunlight. Also the iPad is not meant to handle the sometimes extreme environments we motorcyclists can encounter during our rides. I’m starting to lean towards a rugged Android tablet.

Jörgen

Hi, I use an outdoor tablet about a year (a Oukitel RT3) it works perfect for me and I love the extras you do not have with an CarPlay display or Auto Andriod.

Triqster

@Ron-Z

I'm using a Samsung tab active 3 works great, robust and weatherproof with physical buttons.
Especially those physical buttons are nice (home, back and switch apps) it also has an extra button that you can assign to anything, in my case open MRA or when held down to open DMD v2.

In case you don't want to take the gloves off when needing to press small buttons there's also a stylus pen included and mounted on the protective case.

paul69

hi @Ron-Z

I too use an Oukitel RT3 rugged tablet, no case, no anti vibration mount, it all works perfectly well for me, the tablet performs very well in bad weather, never had a problem in the rain.

obviously it's android, but again MRA works seamlessly and most of the time i use offline mode, with downloaded maps.
FYI i do not have any other apps running on the tablet, nor do i have a SIM card, so can only get online if i tether to my iPhone, it is purely for navigation, i do get almost all day battery, and if not i attach a USB c lead to the bike socket.
i have no issues using touch screen, but obviously your gloves would have to made for this function.

HighPeakRider

I’ve just swapped out my Garmin Zumo for a Carpuride, using CarPlay, i wanted easier access to my iphone functions that was in my pocket or exposed on a quad lock mount.
Seems to work well can control it with gloves on and for the odd time I might want full MRA access i can always put my phone on the Quadlock, I keep a case and charging lead under the bike seat if it’s required.

I guess it might depend what type for riding and control you want MRA wasn’t my prime concern for moving to CarPlay it was more of integration of phone and bike thing.

https://carpuride.com/

Ron Z

@Jörgen How is the RT3's display in direct sunlight? And not being glove friendly is a minus for me.

Ron Z

@Triqster How is your Galaxy Tab Active 3 in direct sunlight? And what Android version do you have on it, and can it be updated to a newer OS? This was the tablet I was considering.

Ron Z

@HighPeakRider I tried CarPlay with a Carpuride W702. It was nice, but I didn't like how all the nav apps use the same template and basically look all the same. Also I couldn't use my bike's nav (2022 BMW K1600 GTL) at the same time as CarPlay. Using an Android tablet I can get all the features of MRA, as well as any app that's not designed for CarPlay.

Makro

I haven't tried the Android Auto version of MRA yet, but usually you get a limited feature version of apps in AA. This is intentional, so you don't mess around with all kinds of settings while driving.
Personally, I want the whole app experience, and thus prefer a tablet.

Lynchy67

@Ron-Z

I have the Samsung Active Tab 3
I have just ran an update this morning.
There was no change!

One UI Version is still
5.1.1

Android Version is still
13

I also have a Samsung A9 Tablet.
One UI Version
6.0

Android Version
14

I am no expert on these updates and will defer to others to pick the bones of what it all means regarding the Samsung Active Tab 3.

Michel van Hagen MRA-Founder

It remains a personal choice. A CarPlay or Android tablet is relatively cheaper than a premium rugged tablet. But Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are less stable because you are dependent on multiple systems.

HighPeakRider

@Michel-van-Hagen-MRA-Founder Do you have any evidence to support that claimed instability?
If I use MRA i’m dependent on multiple systems, your database, your web server, your infrastructure, the internet, your app. Still multiple systems in place so i don’t see adding carplay which is stable from all my years using it in cars is going to make any difference.

Michel van Hagen MRA-Founder

@HighPeakRider You are dependent on a cable, or Bluetooth, the CarPlay or Android Auto System of your vehicle. App makers have no influence on this. The app itself directly on a device, which is testable.

Con Hennekens

@HighPeakRider said in Android Tablet or CarPlay?:

If I use MRA i’m dependent on multiple systems, your database, your web server, your infrastructure, the internet, your app. Still multiple systems in place so i don’t see adding carplay which is stable from all my years using it in cars is going to make any difference.

CP/AA introduce an extra layer of complexity, in hardware as well as in software. And in usage too, since you are operating two devices instead of one. Given the many reported problems and questions about AA/CP in this and many other forums, I'd say that's enough evidence. AA/CP simply introduce extra points of failure.

paul69

@Ron-Z

i know you asked someone else,

the screen is bright enough on full, for my use and in my experience, sorry i do not have any figures to back this up, and the screen is glove friendly, you need gloves that are touch screen compatible, my summer gloves are but winter gloves are not.

i bought this tablet new for £100 GBP

HighPeakRider

@paul69 How have you mounted this to the bike, I assume you need to make some kind of custom mount?

Lynchy67

@HighPeakRider

Check out the Brodit Mount specifically for the Samsung Active Tab 3.
You can find it on Amazon.

No6671

Just to throw this one in:

Carpe Iter Pad. - As they write on their website, the actual Android is on the way.

There is a BT solution for your handlebars. Often sold with the mentioned Carpe Iter. I bet, you can use them with the Galaxy, too.
Just google "Carpe Iter controller".

I want to ride some ACTs and TETs. Therefore I decided to buy this one. - Lets see, how it does on the route.