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IPAD, Smart Phone, Other Options (Train/Bike Trip)

Old 05-11-12, 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Rob_E
You need an app that will save maps. MotionX is the one I use.
Just bought the app for MotionX and it is very cool. Looks like I can rely on the Ipad for what I need on the trip. Thank you for the guidance.

Originally Posted by Niles H.
There is a good, reliable smart phone/'Blackberry clone' that you can buy through various outlets for a quite reasonable price. I've used it extensively, and am happy with it (once I had downloaded Opera Mini, which allows the heavy lifting/processing to by done by Opera servers). For fifty dollars a month (no contract; it's month to month, and you can skip or stop or mix and match at will) through Net10, you can have unlimited calls, text, and web (for 25/mo, 750 minutes of same). They use the ATT network, and I've been pleased with the reception. Verizon may have better reception in some areas (I actually get better-than-Verizon reception in my areas of most use), but you'll pay for it.

The phone is the LG900G, and the best deal I've seen is the package deal (includes micro SD card, earphones, and car charger as I recall) through walmart.com.

A higher-end smart phone may be a better fit for less frugal gadgeteers, though.
Something like this may work for the trip overall as well. I'm going to bring the Ipad on a little trip tomorrow and see how it works first.
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Old 05-12-12, 03:24 AM
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For navigation, I use an old Garmin Legend handlebar mounted GPS that uses AA batteries. I load topo maps into if from my netbook. I use rechargeable batteries in the GPS. Plus I also carry paper maps and compass. I have not carried a GPS that has built in info on grocery store locations, motels, restaurants, etc., but my Garmin Nuvi has that capability. The Nuvi however has shorter battery life and the batteries can't be changed, so I would not use that on the handlebar, even if it was waterproof. I concluded after my last tour that I wished I had the Nuvi along for grocery store hunting, but I would still use the GPS with replaceable batteries for handlebar navigation. Future self supported tours, I will bring the Nuvi along for looking for stores, or other retail stuff but will use the other GPS for handlebar navigation since the Nuvi power supply is more limited. The Nuvi will also serve where the roads are newer than the roads shown on the topo map.

I do not have an ipad, but I have a netbook with a extra big battery that is good for about six hours of use. I have brought it on tour and I would carry it again. It was great for planning on the internet, etc. Wi fi access at many restaurants and motels. I also have Google Talk installed on it, thus where I have wi fi I can make phone calls with it although that works best with a earphone with built in mic. But, since my netbook is normally off, I can't reliably receive phone calls, but Google Voice has voicemail. I do not know if you can put Google talk or Google voice on an ipad.

My cell phone plan has terrible coverage, on the tour I am doing this summer my cell will not work at all because I will be hundreds of miles from their nearest cell tower. But I pay $60 for a year for minimal voice use, so you pay for what you get. Since I can make calls where I have wi fi, I have not seen a need to upgrade my phone. As long as my touring partner had an expensive phone plan for emergency calls, that was good enough.

I expect that within a few years I will probably break down and buy a smartphone with data plan, but don't see a need to do that yet.
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Old 05-12-12, 07:28 PM
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The MotionX worked well leaving the house, but when I got farther away it needed to connect to the internet (of course not available). The system knew where I was, but no map. I'll learn how to save the maps I need next.

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Old 05-13-12, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Ridefreemc
The MotionX worked well leaving the house, but when I got farther away it needed to connect to the internet (of course not available). The system knew where I was, but no map. I'll learn how to save the maps I need next.
Yes, if you don't save maps, they won't be there. Then MotionX is as useless as the Maps app without Internet.
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Old 05-14-12, 01:31 AM
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OP, it depends on your needs out of your devices. I brought with me a netbook which fulfilled everything I needed minus GPS / navigations. But I used an actual paper map for navigation and communication with others as well. I wanted to bring an HP TouchPad but I didn't have the money. I would suggest you to bring the iPad. Save your money and use that instead. It will do everything you need.
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Old 05-14-12, 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by bud16415
One of the features that isn’t advertised on the iPhone is anytime you have anything displayed on the screen if you push the power button and the display button at the same time it will capture a snapshot of the full screen and place it in the photo album.
This is fantastic! Had no idea, thanks a lot!
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Old 05-14-12, 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by lucille
This is fantastic! Had no idea, thanks a lot!
Just tried that on my Ipad and it works there too! Althought it saves it "sideways."
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Old 05-17-12, 06:01 AM
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"Ouch" as far as cost to get the IPad to connect via 3G. Verizon wants $50 to get 3G connectin (starting with 50GB) and says I also have to add a line. That brings it to $60 plus taxex would likely be above $70 - and I cannot even make a phone call with that. It's $30 for 2GB for a tablet.
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Old 05-17-12, 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Ridefreemc
"Ouch" as far as cost to get the IPad to connect via 3G. Verizon wants $50 to get 3G connectin (starting with 50GB) and says I also have to add a line. That brings it to $60 plus taxex would likely be above $70 - and I cannot even make a phone call with that. It's $30 for 2GB for a tablet.
This information seems incorrect. Data service is $30 for 2GB or 1 month of service. If you use more than 2GB of data, the overage is $10/GB. No contract is required. The iPad must be assigned a phone number, so it can use the 3G network, but there should be no additional charge for this. There may be additional fees if you want to use the iPad as a wireless hotspot.
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Old 05-17-12, 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Ridefreemc
and I cannot even make a phone call with that.
Use Skype.
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Old 05-17-12, 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by lucille
This is fantastic! Had no idea, thanks a lot!

You are welcome. There are webpages of tips and tricks for the iPhone. That is one of the handiest I think. I can find a web page or some information on my phone and then text it to anyone as a photo even if they don’t have an internet phone. Great way to keep and share info.
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