Android screen with SIM slot?

[Condi]

Having a look at Android screens for bikes they all seem to be simple Android Auto/Carplay connectivity, which relies on your phone to do the work and then just displays the map/ music on the screen. Sometimes wireless Android Auto isn't the best for reliability and the screen I have occasionally drops out which is very frustrating when using it for navigation, and also means the music stops until it reconnects. In the car I have an Android head unit with it's own SIM slot and it runs entirely independently of the phone - maps, Spoitfy etc all run on the device itself using it's own SIM for data connectivity. Are there any motorbike screens which work in the same way?

[OutInTheShed]

I think they do call them 'tablets'?

[Alex9]

OutInTheShed said:

I think they do call them 'tablets'?

I have a cheap waterproof tablet which I use on different bikes, it works very well.

[Condi]

Alex9 said:

I have a cheap waterproof tablet which I use on different bikes, it works very well.

How do you mount it? Is it a bit large for use on the bike?


EDIT - no matter, I found one of these on AliExpress for the sum of £150 and so will give it a go. All the navigation and processing is then done on the device itself rather than on the phone which is a much better solution.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009340142470.h...

Edited by Condi on Tuesday 19th May 12:19

[OutInTheShed]

Condi said:

Alex9 said:

I have a cheap waterproof tablet which I use on different bikes, it works very well.

How do you mount it? Is it a bit large for use on the bike?


EDIT - no matter, I found one of these on AliExpress for the sum of £150 and so will give it a go. All the navigation and processing is then done on the device itself rather than on the phone which is a much better solution.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009340142470.h...

Edited by Condi on Tuesday 19th May 12:19

Please let us know what it's like.

I have an android 'radio head unit' which I use on a boat for navigation.
It's not ideal, being laden with pre-loaded stuff more appropriate for a car radio and a whacking great 4 channel amp on the back.
But they are/where very cheap. It has GPS but no SIM.

I also use a tablet and I'm about to replace the hardware.
I use an old phone on my pushbikes, on the motorbikes I use a weird method involving having a plan in my head and looking for signposts.

[Neal H]

What's the advantage of one of these over just sticking a cheap Android phone on the handlebars?

[Condi]

Neal H said:

What's the advantage of one of these over just sticking a cheap Android phone on the handlebars?

Nothing really, just bigger screen, perhaps better for using with gloves, better waterproofing, possibly more robust/well built? Otherwise they are essentially the same software. Obviously the unit is designed to be left on the bike, rather than a phone you'd probably want to take off when not in use. Tbh I didn't really consider just using a phone, but even a cheap Android phone must be about the same price?

[RizzoTheRat]

6" screen is pretty much phone sized. You can get a 6.7" Galaxy A07 for around £100, but you'd need to buy a mount & charger for it an it looks like that AliExpress device comes with a few extras

[Alex9]

Condi said:

How do you mount it? Is it a bit large for use on the bike?

The tablet holder is a RAM Tab-Tite mounted on a ball fitting on one bike, and a cheap copy of the RAM mounted directly on the rally tower on the other. It's not to large on an adventure / rally bike but it probably would be a bit chunky on a sports bike.

I find it quite handy when I'm going on a ride for fun and get Calimoto to take me to some nice roads, also very useful for roadbook rallies.