...for folks who may be interested.

I have updated my article over at CrazyGuy - covering the essentials of using one of Apple's tablets on a bicycle trip.

Here's the link:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/ipad

I hope that you find it worthwhile.

Excellent write up. I'll need some time to read through it all but will be doing so. I have an iPad Air and an iPhone 6, which is what I take with me on bike tours and rides in general. Although I don't plan to take my iPad on tours, your article has a lot of useful information for users in general.

My advice to anyone considering an iPad is to buy more than the base-level storage, which is 16 MB. Mine fills up often, forcing me to delete content whenever there is an update to install.

Any advice on iPad covers and cases? I have an inexpensive one that I bought on Amazon for less than $15 when I first got my iPad but it will need replacing sooner or later. I really like the Tech21 case on my iPhone 6, and might try out their case of iPads.

I did! But I do question your use of the ipad while touring. I think for most people a properly loaded iPhone would be more than enough. Of course... some things are always better when bigger... like screens. But that is sort of like saying a bicycle would be better... with a motor.

Everything that can be done with an ipad can be done with an iPhone. And... an iPhone can serve as a hot-spot for other devises as well. If looking at alternate "bigger solutions" I'd look at an Android tablet. With an Android table you could take along a selection of memory cards (or with some models a flash drive) for portable memory.... or even a extreme movie/music collection.

My advice to anyone considering an iPad is to buy more than the base-level storage, which is 16 GB.

That's good advice. What with updates and media and such, the base-level storage doesn't provide much breathing room.

Any advice on iPad covers and cases?

Apple's "Smart Case" is light and fits well. It's expensive, though - no surprise - and offers only two viewing angles. One is steep and the other shallow. It's either the Appalachians - or Kansas! For hand-holding my iPad Air 2, it's great. Logitech makes a couple of similar cases that protect both sides of the tablet. They seem to offer more viewing angles.

I'll check out the Tech21 offerings.

Thanks.

Thanks for stopping by.

Everything that can be done with an iPad can be done with an iPhone.

Technically, that's true. It is all relative, though. That is doubly so when considering screen size. We all have our own comfort level. For me, the iPad Air series hits the sweet spot - not too big and not too small. It is great that we have so many choices.

Also, as mentioned in the article, I carry no smartphone - nor do I want one. There is no redundancy in my case.

I browsed it hastily and didn't find: is your ipad cellular-equipped? I have an ipad mini 2 which I love and it is wifi-only. I find that using the ipad's GPS while tethering wifi to my phone is not reliable.

is your iPad cellular-equipped?

Nope. It's WiFi only.

The WiFi-only iPads do not include a GPS reciever.

(Nor is it getting GPS information from the phone it's tethered to.)

The only way it can tell where it is located is by using the location database entry of the wifi hotspot you are connected to. I doubt the location of the phone as a wifi hotspot is included (or updated reliably) in the database that is used.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-goo...location-data/

Note that the GPS reciever included with the cellular version will work without a cellular contract.

Not true. My wifi-only ipad mini 2 most definitely has a GPS receiver. I use it a lot.

Not according to anything I've found.

Does the iPad have a "real GPS" in it? - iPad Pilot News

https://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...en-models.html

This for the Mini 4. It's not likely Apple would have removed the GPS from earlier models.

https://www.apple.com/ipad-mini-4/specs/

Here's the Mini 2 specs.

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-mini-2

Devices without GPS still can determine location (based on the wifi hotspot database).

Maybe, you have the cell version and don't know it. On the cell verstion, there's a window on the back on the end with the camera.

Griffin Survivor - military grade, waterproof, completely encloses the iPad, even the screen (some cases, like the Lifeproof Nud, don't cover the screen, which IMHO is a mistake). I've had one for about 3 years, it's withstood a lot of drops, shocks, and so forth. Anyone riding with a tablet needs something waterproof and shockproof as possible, IMHO.

In a world with 64 and 128 GB iPhone and iPad capacities, it really is stupid for the base level iPhone to still be 16 GB. They need to make the minimum level be 32 GB.

Whilst my iPhone 5s is way better for reading than my Garmin Edge 800, its still too frustratingly small.
I've just grabbed a secondhand iPad Mini 3 cellular for an improved big picture mapping experience.
The latest firmware allows me to add a memory card reader so I can add the pics easily from my dslr which was a deal breaker for my purchase decision.
I was tempted by the iPhone 6s+ but at the end of the day, price wise and screen realestate wise, I'm happy with my decision.
The 64gb iPhone 6s+ is very dear here in Australia at $1379.00 compared to my iPad purchase.
Definitely a bit lighter and less bulky than my Macbook air to haul in a pannier.
Reminds me, I've yet to try for size in my handlebar bag.

I bought the lightning to SD Card Camera Reader at a half price sale from local store "Officeworks".
https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product...eader?fnode=85
Works a treat for both my iPhone and iPad Mini

Thanks for posting the thread and link.
I'm on my way now to peruse.