Phone or Tablet as your interface device?

[SlateWannaBe]

If you go for an iPad, you’ll want cellular, if only for the GPS, if not music and radio station streaming. My Gen 6 Mini has its own TMobile line but I’ll only use the iPhone in the truck.

You can download maps for offline use. Devices can still access gps without a cell signal. I do that when I travel. It’s fine for driving instructions but less helpful for walking (though you can load a walk before leaving hotel/cafe WiFi range)

 

[SlateWannaBe]

Will you be using a phone or tablet as your interface device? Or switching between them?

I think the BYOD bring-your-own-device approach is brilliant. Saves cost and who doesn't have a phone and tablet these days. It also solves the issue of built in infotainment hardware becoming obsolete. All you gotta do is upgrade your phone or tablet as you usually would and your Slate instantly has updated infotainment hardware

Since I don't think I'll be keeping a tablet in the holder permanently, I think I'll be switching between phone and tablet depending if I feel like (or remember to) bring a tablet out with me. Those times when I don't, I'll just plug in the phone.

Is there even a Slate app available yet? Sometimes there are differences between device apps. I’ll probably test both my iPhone and my iPad to see which works better. 😜

 

[P. Regent]

My current, still quite tentative plan is to have my phone in the mount, connected via bluetooth to a dedicated Android Auto/Carplay tablet like this:

which is hardwired via the aux connecter to an amplifier like this:

which is hardwired to speakers like this:

although I'm still unsure about the screen and speaker placement; that will probably have to wait until I can actually eyeball the dash, doors, and underdash areas. I'm intrigued by the idea of having the woofer/midrange speakers firing outward from a central console below the dash with the tweeters mounted either on the A pillars or inset into the outer edge of the dash panels. (I want to preserve as much of the dash panel area for convenient storage as possible.)

The combo should give me a decent setup for nav, podcasts, phone, etc. at a modest cost. I'll be interested to see if the Slate app can run on the phone at the same time to allow me to monitor whatever it monitors (SOC? Range? Tire inflation?) I'm not really concerned about the added gear being stolen (it's cheap anyway, as you can see.)

My main goal is to have a usable Android Auto screen with adequate phone/audio quality. I've come to rely on AA for nav in my Colorado; I like to listen to podcasts and sometimes music in my truck, so why not do that. I don't need booming bass or super high sound quality; I think the kind of components I've identified will do the trick for me.

 

[Visualvalhalla]

My current, still quite tentative plan is to have my phone in the mount, connected via bluetooth to a dedicated Android Auto/Carplay tablet like this:

which is hardwired via the aux connecter to an amplifier like this:

which is hardwired to speakers like this:

although I'm still unsure about the screen and speaker placement; that will probably have to wait until I can actually eyeball the dash, doors, and underdash areas. I'm intrigued by the idea of having the woofer/midrange speakers firing outward from a central console below the dash with the tweeters mounted either on the A pillars or inset into the outer edge of the dash panels. (I want to preserve as much of the dash panel area for convenient storage as possible.)

The combo should give me a decent setup for nav, podcasts, phone, etc. at a modest cost. I'll be interested to see if the Slate app can run on the phone at the same time to allow me to monitor whatever it monitors (SOC? Range? Tire inflation?) I'm not really concerned about the added gear being stolen (it's cheap anyway, as you can see.)

My main goal is to have a usable Android Auto screen with adequate phone/audio quality. I've come to rely on AA for nav in my Colorado; I like to listen to podcasts and sometimes music in my truck, so why not do that. I don't need booming bass or super high sound quality; I think the kind of components I've identified will do the trick for me.

That setup looks good. Do you plan to put the screen on top of the dash, or try to wedge it in the center cubbyhole?

 

[Auer]

You can download maps for offline use. Devices can still access gps without a cell signal. I do that when I travel. It’s fine for driving instructions but less helpful for walking (though you can load a walk before leaving hotel/cafe WiFi range)

On iPads only the cellular option gives you the GPS module I believe.

 

[sidneyhornblower]

I've got at least three old phones, so I'm wondering if one of them would work as a Slate-only device? They're not currently on any cell plan, so won't work as phones, but they're still nifty, small computers running whatever apps are compatible. So since navigation can work offline, I'm thinking I might just leave an old phone permanently residing inside the Slate, tossed under the seat when not in use so as to not tempt thieves.

 

[Moe]

On iPads only the cellular option gives you the GPS module I believe.

True.

 

[Trace26]

I've got at least three old phones, so I'm wondering if one of them would work as a Slate-only device? They're not currently on any cell plan, so won't work as phones, but they're still nifty, small computers running whatever apps are compatible. So since navigation can work offline, I'm thinking I might just leave an old phone permanently residing inside the Slate, tossed under the seat when not in use so as to not tempt thieves.

This is my plan as well, My Samsung s23 will be replaced with a clicks communicator once that comes out (also per-ordered), so the S23 will be the slate phone.

 

[SteveD62]

I will use both, since my phone is a foldable. The only thing I need is to know is what size each of the holders can expand too.

 

[P. Regent]

That setup looks good. Do you plan to put the screen on top of the dash, or try to wedge it in the center cubbyhole?

That is the question. I'm pretty sure it would fit in the center cubbyhole, but as I've gotten into the (bad) habit of looking at my nav screen frequently, I'd prefer it to be more line-of-sight. I've focused on the horizontal screen because (subject to on-site reality check once I see a real Slate) I'm considering mounting it right above the speedo, in front of the dash overhang behind the steering wheel. That may or may not work. (l'm also considering a cheap HUD speedo projecting on the windshield right behind.) I'm tall enough that I usually am looking through the top part of the windshield so I'm not too concerned with view obstruction. That would also give me a dash cam - there have been occasions where having a clear record of what happened in front of me would have been useful.

I'd love to have more up close pics of the dash area - better still, a real Slate to examine!