Replace a laptop with a tablet

[+NanCycle]

I have an old laptop that I take with me on trips and use to download Pocket Queries to my Garmin Montana and upload Field Notes when I'm not at home. This old (Vista-era) laptop is dying and I need something to replace it and was wanting to get a tablet to use in the same way. Today I spent a long time with the woman at the Samsung counter in Best Buy and the verdict was that the Montana was not compatible with the Samsung tablet and likely not compatible with any mobile device; in short that I'm stuck with a laptop as the pass-thru device between Geocaching.com and my Montana. Is this true, or is there a way to make the Montana and a tablet play nice together?

[+Red90]

The woman was probably wrong. Any android device that supports host mode USB will be able to connect any current model Garmin GPS as a drive. Most of them do this. You just need a special cable.

[+NanCycle]

The woman was probably wrong. Any android device that supports host mode USB will be able to connect any current model Garmin GPS as a drive. Most of them do this. You just need a special cable.

 

As an aside, it wasn't just one woman's opinion; she spent a lot of time on the phone and chat with techies and that was the consensus. OK, that out of the way, what kind of special cable? We were just using the micro-USB/USB cable connected to the tablet and my regular USB cable to my Montana. btw, this micro-USB/USB cable did successfully connect a flash drive I had brought. What should I ask for as a special cable?

[+Team CowboyPapa]

I was in Best Buy several years ago looking at a USB dongle that would tune cable TV. As the packaging was not specific, I asked a clerk if it would work for clear QAM channels, not expecting a answer. Which is what I did not receive, so I asked if I bought it and it didn't, could I return it for a full, no questions asked refund? He responded "yes" and the next day I did.

 

Or, bring your GPSr, special cable (if required) and test with a demo model on the floor. (Would you buy a used car without taking it for a test drive?)

[+Red90]

You want to get an "OTG" cable. It stands for USB "On The Go" Like this: http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab-accessories/EPL-AU10WEGXAR Just Google OTG cable for whatever tablet you are wanting to buy and make sure it is compatible.

[+Red90]

Here is the same cable, sold at BestBuy..... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-micro-usb-to-usb-adapter/1688641.p?id=1219059709888&skuId=1688641 All Garmin GPSs when in mass storage mode, will show up as a USB drive. like any flash drive.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Red90

[+Walts Hunting]

I have been running my Montana occasionally off of my Samsung since the S3. The big problem is the power needed to run it. The Montana takes 3 batteries and the USB port on the phone/tablet does not have enough power so you need this special super secret cable. It is two things. First it is an OTG which by itself would allow you to attach an Oregon to any Samsung. But the lack of power in the port means you need a second usb hookup to power the unit for a Montana. Follow the instructions on the page. I bought it when I moved from an Oregon to my Montana and it works great. Plug the extra usb connection to a wall plug converter.

 

Super Secret OTG extra power.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Walts Hunting

[+Team CowboyPapa]

Regarding the OTG cable. I bought a Samsung, Android tablet about two years ago and it required the OTG cable. I bought another Samsung, Android tablet about a year ago and it required a standard micro USB cable. But the lady at Samsung would know that.

[+NanCycle]

Here is the same cable, sold at BestBuy..... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-micro-usb-to-usb-adapter/1688641.p?id=1219059709888&skuId=1688641 All Garmin GPSs when in mass storage mode, will show up as a USB drive. like any flash drive.

 

That looks exactly like the cable we were using. (I don't see any difference between that OTG cable and the standard micro USB cable as mentioned by Team Cowboy Papa.) I can get the OTG extra power version if that's what's needed.

 

The Montana did not go into mass storage mode when connected to the Samsung Galaxy 4 10.1. I seem to recall that there is a way to force it into mass storage mode, but I don't remember how. Is that what needs to be done?

[+Walts Hunting]

if you dont have the dual power cable it wont go into mass storage. if you have the extrav power it dies. tested on my tab 4 earlier

[+NanCycle]

if you dont have the dual power cable it wont go into mass storage. if you have the extrav power it dies. tested on my tab 4 earlier

 

Thanks a bunch! You guys are the greatest! I knew I'd get the right answers here, but I didn't know what questions to ask until I went to BB first. Now I've got the guys there running around looking for the cable.

 

Edit: They don't have it. I'll try Radio Shack in the morning.

Edited September 17, 2014 by NanCycle

[+FunnyNose]

Staples recently had the Surface Pro 2 on a big clearance sale. It is a 10 inch PC based tablet. It runs GSAK just fine and interfaces with my Garmin 62S. I don't know why the Surface has had such bad reviews but I find it a heck of a lot more usable than iPad. One thing I hate is the glossy screen.

[+Walts Hunting]

Ive thought about the pro 2. I don't like the pro 3 with the 12 inch screen to big. How much did you pay?

[+FunnyNose]

Ive thought about the pro 2. I don't like the pro 3 with the 12 inch screen to big. How much did you pay?

 

$340 for the 64 gig

[+NanCycle]

if you dont have the dual power cable it wont go into mass storage. if you have the extrav power it dies. tested on my tab 4 earlier

 

Thanks a bunch! You guys are the greatest! I knew I'd get the right answers here, but I didn't know what questions to ask until I went to BB first. Now I've got the guys there running around looking for the cable.

 

Edit: They don't have it. I'll try Radio Shack in the morning.

 

Radio Shack and Office Depot don't have it. The guy at Office Depot tried really hard to help, tried to order it from OD online, but couldn't find it there either. Both BB and OD have told me that it will work using a USB hub; at least I already have one of those so it won't cost anything to try it. I'm on my way back to BB in a few minutes.

[+Walts Hunting]

I was going to say the only place I have ever seen them is online. A usb hub might work because it has an external power supply.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Walts Hunting

[+GeoTrekker26]

if you dont have the dual power cable it wont go into mass storage. if you have the extrav power it dies. tested on my tab 4 earlier

 

Thanks a bunch! You guys are the greatest! I knew I'd get the right answers here, but I didn't know what questions to ask until I went to BB first. Now I've got the guys there running around looking for the cable.

 

Edit: They don't have it. I'll try Radio Shack in the morning.

 

Radio Shack and Office Depot don't have it. The guy at Office Depot tried really hard to help, tried to order it from OD online, but couldn't find it there either. Both BB and OD have told me that it will work using a USB hub; at least I already have one of those so it won't cost anything to try it. I'm on my way back to BB in a few minutes.

 

Nancy, check out monoprice.com, an excellent source of cables at very reasonable prices. A search for OTG cable on the site found one for 5.61 including free shipping.

[+NanCycle]

if you dont have the dual power cable it wont go into mass storage. if you have the extrav power it dies. tested on my tab 4 earlier

 

Thanks a bunch! You guys are the greatest! I knew I'd get the right answers here, but I didn't know what questions to ask until I went to BB first. Now I've got the guys there running around looking for the cable.

 

Edit: They don't have it. I'll try Radio Shack in the morning.

 

Radio Shack and Office Depot don't have it. The guy at Office Depot tried really hard to help, tried to order it from OD online, but couldn't find it there either. Both BB and OD have told me that it will work using a USB hub; at least I already have one of those so it won't cost anything to try it. I'm on my way back to BB in a few minutes.

 

Nancy, check out monoprice.com, an excellent source of cables at very reasonable prices. A search for OTG cable on the site found one for 5.61 including free shipping.

 

Well, the USB hub didn't work; the Montana did go into mass storage mode, but the Tablet didn't recognize it. The guy at OD said they'd need to be networked so probably that's the issue. I'll just order the cable and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions when I get it.

 

Thanks for the point to monoprice.com and thank to everyone for the info and advice.

[+Team CowboyPapa]

OK, allow me a go-back here:

1. When I first mentioned an OTG needed for my first Samsung tablet, but not one for my second Samsung tablet, that was about charging and not data transfer:

1a. The first had a wide, multi connector (20 or 30?) port, so I needed the OTG cable with male wide connector and with a normal size, male USB connector to charge,

1b. The second tablet has a std. micro USB port, so I charge it with a std, micro male USB cable with a normal size, male USB connector at the other end.

2. I have never tried it, but I agree with the OTG cable noted above from Monoprice to connect a tablet with the micro USB port to the GPSr for data transfer.

 

Monoprice is always my first source for cables.

 

This thread got me to thinking about trying to load PQ output files emailed to my Samsung Android phone from the phone to my GPSr instead of this Windows laptop. However, I now realize that the PQ results in two distinct files, parent cache waypoint file and a file with child waypoints (usually parking places). I like to have them combined into one file on my GPSr. Guess I'm currently clueless on how to do this on either my Samsung Android tablet or Samsung Android phone.

 

Nancy, if your PQs unzipped have two files enclosed as do mine, you might have to continue with the laptop (on which I assume they are combined.

[+Walts Hunting]

Just drop both bothave of them in your GPS. You said you like to combine them but it isn't necessary.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

OK, allow me a go-back here:

1. When I first mentioned an OTG needed for my first Samsung tablet, but not one for my second Samsung tablet, that was about charging and not data transfer:

1a. The first had a wide, multi connector (20 or 30?) port, so I needed the OTG cable with male wide connector and with a normal size, male USB connector to charge,

1b. The second tablet has a std. micro USB port, so I charge it with a std, micro male USB cable with a normal size, male USB connector at the other end.

2. I have never tried it, but I agree with the OTG cable noted above from Monoprice to connect a tablet with the micro USB port to the GPSr for data transfer.

 

Monoprice is always my first source for cables.

 

This thread got me to thinking about trying to load PQ output files emailed to my Samsung Android phone from the phone to my GPSr instead of this Windows laptop. However, I now realize that the PQ results in two distinct files, parent cache waypoint file and a file with child waypoints (usually parking places). I like to have them combined into one file on my GPSr. Guess I'm currently clueless on how to do this on either my Samsung Android tablet or Samsung Android phone.

 

Nancy, if your PQs unzipped have two files enclosed as do mine, you might have to continue with the laptop (on which I assume they are combined.

 

Can you run GSAK from a Samsung tablet and then use it in the field to put caches on a 62S or other unit ?

[+GeoTrekker26]

OK, allow me a go-back here:

1. When I first mentioned an OTG needed for my first Samsung tablet, but not one for my second Samsung tablet, that was about charging and not data transfer:

1a. The first had a wide, multi connector (20 or 30?) port, so I needed the OTG cable with male wide connector and with a normal size, male USB connector to charge,

1b. The second tablet has a std. micro USB port, so I charge it with a std, micro male USB cable with a normal size, male USB connector at the other end.

2. I have never tried it, but I agree with the OTG cable noted above from Monoprice to connect a tablet with the micro USB port to the GPSr for data transfer.

 

Monoprice is always my first source for cables.

 

This thread got me to thinking about trying to load PQ output files emailed to my Samsung Android phone from the phone to my GPSr instead of this Windows laptop. However, I now realize that the PQ results in two distinct files, parent cache waypoint file and a file with child waypoints (usually parking places). I like to have them combined into one file on my GPSr. Guess I'm currently clueless on how to do this on either my Samsung Android tablet or Samsung Android phone.

 

Nancy, if your PQs unzipped have two files enclosed as do mine, you might have to continue with the laptop (on which I assume they are combined.

 

Can you run GSAK from a Samsung tablet and then use it in the field to put caches on a 62S or other unit ?

 

Samsung does not use the Microsoft Windows operating system.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

Staples recently had the Surface Pro 2 on a big clearance sale. It is a 10 inch PC based tablet. It runs GSAK just fine and interfaces with my Garmin 62S. I don't know why the Surface has had such bad reviews but I find it a heck of a lot more usable than iPad. One thing I hate is the glossy screen.

 

That's exactly how I want to use a tablet for geocaching ( other uses would be for my wife doing normal tablet stuff)

As you say, the reviews are scary....I never get those best buy warranties but that might be an option.

[+Team CowboyPapa]

OK, allow me a go-back here:

1. When I first mentioned an OTG needed for my first Samsung tablet, but not one for my second Samsung tablet, that was about charging and not data transfer:

1a. The first had a wide, multi connector (20 or 30?) port, so I needed the OTG cable with male wide connector and with a normal size, male USB connector to charge,

1b. The second tablet has a std. micro USB port, so I charge it with a std, micro male USB cable with a normal size, male USB connector at the other end.

2. I have never tried it, but I agree with the OTG cable noted above from Monoprice to connect a tablet with the micro USB port to the GPSr for data transfer.

 

Monoprice is always my first source for cables.

 

This thread got me to thinking about trying to load PQ output files emailed to my Samsung Android phone from the phone to my GPSr instead of this Windows laptop. However, I now realize that the PQ results in two distinct files, parent cache waypoint file and a file with child waypoints (usually parking places). I like to have them combined into one file on my GPSr. Guess I'm currently clueless on how to do this on either my Samsung Android tablet or Samsung Android phone.

 

Nancy, if your PQs unzipped have two files enclosed as do mine, you might have to continue with the laptop (on which I assume they are combined.

 

Can you run GSAK from a Samsung tablet and then use it in the field to put caches on a 62S or other unit ?

I just checked the list of Geocaching apps available for Android phones and found some GSAK lookalikes. Unfortunately, they don't really provide any detailed descriptive material to see what they provide.

 

OTOH, I will purchase that OTG cable from Monoprice to see how that performs.

[alandb]

I just tried the tablet/OTG cable/handheld GPS solution discussed earlier in this thread. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 tablet with Android KitKat and an OTG cable purchased at Amazon. For my GPS, I have a Garmin Oregon 550. I have the 550 set up in Spanner mode, so when it is connected to a computer by USB you are prompted to go into mass storage or not. After reading through this thread I was curious whether I could transfer a pocket query from my Samsung tablet to the Oregon. I was successful on establishing the connection between the tablet and the Oregon on the first try. The fully charged Samsung tablet was able to power up the Oregon through the OTG cable. I selected to go into mass storage mode. I could then access both the Oregon internal storage and SD card as external USB storage devices. The only thing I need to add to the tablet to make this work is an unzip app, and I know there are several available.

[+Walts Hunting]

You got it. You only need the extra boost cable for the Montana and maybe the Monterra

[+NanCycle]

I've got my cable and got everything hooked up so that the Montana shows as USB drive A and the micro SD card as USB drive B. I can download and extract and get 2 gpx files and can see the files on the Montana (as USB drive A), but when I try to open the files, I get "Unable to find application to perform this action."

 

Using my laptop or desktop computer I would be using EasyGPS to open the files. What do I need to do next?

 

Edit: I guess I'm not really seeing the files on the GPS because when I plug it into the desktop, they aren't showing there.

Edited September 23, 2014 by NanCycle

[+GeoTrekker26]

I've got my cable and got everything hooked up so that the Montana shows as USB drive A and the micro SD card as USB drive B. I can download and extract and get 2 gpx files and can see the files on the Montana (as USB drive A), but when I try to open the files, I get "Unable to find application to perform this action."

 

Using my laptop or desktop computer I would be using EasyGPS to open the files. What do I need to do next?

I would expect that you would want to copy the files from the to/from the GPS, not open them on the tablet. Since you seem to get the files where you want them why do you need to open them? Can you give a little more detail about what you want to happen and why it isn't?

[+NanCycle]

I've got my cable and got everything hooked up so that the Montana shows as USB drive A and the micro SD card as USB drive B. I can download and extract and get 2 gpx files and can see the files on the Montana (as USB drive A), but when I try to open the files, I get "Unable to find application to perform this action."

 

Using my laptop or desktop computer I would be using EasyGPS to open the files. What do I need to do next?

I would expect that you would want to copy the files from the to/from the GPS, not open them on the tablet. Since you seem to get the files where you want them why do you need to open them? Can you give a little more detail about what you want to happen and why it isn't?

 

As soon as I posted that, I walked away from the computer and the light bulb came on. I really don't seem to be getting the files to the GPS--as I edited my post to say. When I use the desktop, I open the files and choose "send" to get them to the GPS so that's what I'm used to. I'll try to see if I can figure out how to copy files using the tablet, but it's going to be a while before I can get back to it.

[+Red90]

There are apps for opening and viewing GPX files on the Android if you like. Just search the play store.

 

The original question though is to simply copy the file to the garmin/gpx folder on the GPS.

[+Team CowboyPapa]

 

OTOH, I will purchase that OTG cable from Monoprice to see how that performs.

OK, the Monoprice OTG cable came today:

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10833&cs_id=1083314&p_id=9724&seq=1&format=2

 

Subsequent to my last post:

1. I ran a PQ and it was emailed to me,

2. Opened up the email on my Samsung Galaxy II phone (Android) and stored the attached PQ file (zip),

3. I downloaded a free Unzip app from the Play Store and Unzipped the PQ results to GPX file,

4. Today, I connected the OTG cable to the phone and the other end to a cable for my DeLorme PN-60 GPSr,

5. Set the GPSr to the Connect to Computer mode and located the previous installed PQ files on the GPSr,

6. Used the phone's Move function to move the PQ file to the appropriate folder in the SD card of the GPSr.

 

I then embarked on repeating the process of transferring a file from my Samsung Galaxy 7.0 Tablet (Android) to my GPSr in a similar fashion. Not surprisingly, the GPSr was not recognized by the tablet and I was not able to complete the transfer using the physical OTG cable.

 

I was not surprised as I had a previous issue with one MHL device which could play movies on a HDTV from some Samsung devices, but not my phone. I exchanged it for another MHL device which did allow for the transfer. Conclusion: the transfer process between different models of Samsung devices is variable and one MHL or OTC cable may work for one, but not others.

[+NanCycle]

All right! I got the PQ file copied to the GPS and can view the caches. I figured out some of this for myself, but you guys were great at pointing me in the right direction. Thanks so much!

 

Now on to my next question--How to upload Field Notes?

 

On my PC I get a chance to "Browse" for the FN file; on the Tablet I get to "Choose File." OK I go to My Files>Garmin>geocache_visits.txt, but I don't know what to do next. The only thing I've found is "Complete action using" and to choose Hcell2014 Viewer or Hword 2014 Viewer. Using Hword I can view the text of the file. But how do I upload it?

 

Edit: While I was away from the Tablet writing the above on the PC, the Field Notes uploaded--when I went back to the Tablet, it was done. I'm still not sure how I did it, but at least I know that it does work.

Edited September 24, 2014 by NanCycle

[+BAMBOOZLE]

Another option for those interested:

 

Awhile back I bought 3 , Dell Latitude D630 laptops on Ebay....I forget what I paid but less than $300 ea and can be cheaper depending on ram and HD size. They are dual processor machines with titanium frames that were built for field work. They came with Wind XP loaded and I can run Excel, Word, GSAK, etc....really everything I use. They have WIFI, Bluetooth, etc and even have a serial port for older GPS units. We have one in use at home and I use one at work and at times one on the road ( no real need for virus protection or connectivity on this one as I just load GPX files into GSAK ).....very flexible units.