A GPS navigator is the most useful thing for people who often travel to new places or travel by car. Orientation in space via satellite is an incredibly convenient feature. Previously, only special devices had it, now many tablets can boast of such a function. Gadgets have many advantages over classic navigators, so buying a tablet is much more logical. Our traditional rating of the best tablets with a GPS navigator will help you choose the most suitable device, which will definitely not allow you to get lost in an unknown area.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 SM-T580
Today's most popular tablet with a 10-inch diagonal boasts a juicy and rich Full HD resolution and good sensor responsiveness. The GPS navigator works very fast, showing the slightest movements, and it also supports GLONASS. A high-quality and convenient tablet from Samsung stands out with a fast processor for 8 cores with a frequency of 1600 MHz, as well as an excellent rear camera of 8 megapixels. With GPS turned on, the device's operating time can reach 13-15 hours, since it works on Wi-Fi, which is much more economical than data transfer over mobile networks.
Advantages:
- capacious battery - 7300 mAh
- good amount of RAM - 2 GB
- good front camera - 2 MP
- support for many video and audio formats
- quality assembly
Disadvantages:
- all speakers are on one side only
- no support for 3G and LTE
Huawei Mediapad T2 7.0 Pro
If you want to choose a tablet with a GPS navigator and a GLONASS module with a small screen but with a huge number of additional features, you should pay attention to the novelty from Huawei. The proposed model has acquired a 7-inch display with a 1920x1200 picture, slots for two SIM cards and an excellent 5 megapixel front camera. Worthy of attention is the rear optics with a 13 megapixel matrix, which you will definitely need on a trip. For a price tag of 15,000 rubles, this feature set is just fine. Fans of high-quality stylish electronics should definitely watch the official video review of the tablet.
Advantages:
- 8-core chip with a frequency of 1500 MHz
- 2 GB RAM
- 4360 mAh battery
- fingerprint scanner
- fast connection to satellites
- good sound
Disadvantages:
- small problems with the backlight setting
- inconvenient location of the fingerprint scanner
Lenovo Tab 3 TB3-850M
Next in the ranking, consider a good Chinese tablet with GPS from Lenovo. The model with 8 inches diagonal and HD-display allows you to enjoy a responsive sensor and fast operation of the system, which perfectly interacts with navigators from Google and Yandex. Two SIM cards is a great opportunity to use an inexpensive tablet even outside your region or country.
Advantages:
- excellent signal pickup
- work in mobile mode
- solid 4290 mAh battery
- processor with 4 cores and a frequency of 1000 MHz
Disadvantages:
- the top gets very hot sometimes
- weak cameras
ASUS ZenPad 8.0 Z380M
If you have allocated only 10,000 rubles for a new gadget, the question of which tablet to buy with a GPS navigator should be unambiguous - ASUS ZenPad 8.0. A smart 4-core chip with a frequency of 1200 MHz, an 8 ″ HD display, 5 and 2 megapixel cameras - a chic set of parameters for a budget device. The excellent value for money confirms the good work of the tablet by connecting to the network from the cigarette lighter: this method allows you to charge a 15.2-watt battery in a couple of hours.
Advantages:
- battery lasts 8-10 hours
- fits comfortably in the hand thanks to the ergonomically curved edges
- nimble work of the GPS-navigator
- great look
- good screen tablet
Disadvantages:
- little RAM - only 1 GB
- weak wifi module
- no flash on main camera
Prestigio MultiPad PMT3118C
Continued our TOP quality budget tablet with a GPS module from Prestigio, perhaps not very well known in wide circles, but this does not reduce its attractiveness. The combination of simultaneous work with 2 SIM cards, a metal case and an 8-inch HD display is an offer that you should not refuse. The tablet can be bought quite inexpensively, the price will not exceed 5000 rubles.
Advantages:
- 4000 mAh battery
- 4-core processor at 1200 MHz
- display with good viewing angles and good brightness
- combination of price and functionality
- light weight and compact dimensions
Disadvantages:
- weak cameras
- quiet speaker
Irbis TZ745
Looking through several forums and looking at a lot of driver reviews about this tablet, you might think that only taxi drivers use it. Of course, in this profession, a gadget for 3,000-4,000 rubles is an ideal option for an inexpensive GPS navigator, but Irbis' state employees are also popular among ordinary buyers. Inexpensive, easy to use, does not slow down, works with two SIM cards, cards are loaded quickly ... What else does a driver need to be happy? Of course, the tablet will pull toys poorly, because according to the characteristics for them it is frankly weak, but the device is not intended for entertainment at all.
Advantages:
- there is support for A-GPS
- processor Spreadtrum SC7731G at 1.3 Ghz
- good resolution display
- combination of price and quality
- good navigation performance
Disadvantages:
- no light sensor
- low RAM
- indicator light not installed
Prestigio MultiPad PMT3147
Another cheap tablet with a GPS-navigator from the Chinese company mentioned above is a little more functional than its predecessor. The front camera received a matrix of 3.2 megapixels, rear - 5 megapixels. The 4-core processor operates at an increased frequency of up to 1300 MHz, which even allows you to play some games. Dual SIM cards are a great option for any driver, so having two slots is definitely worth adding to the asset.
Advantages:
- 7-inch screen, picture format 1024x600
- the battery, despite the small volume of 2800 mAh, holds a charge well
- good optimization
- latest version of Android OS 6.0
- fast 3G internet
Disadvantages:
- no flash on camera
- screen viewing angles
Which tablet to buy with a GPS navigator?
A good GPS-optimized tablet is the best companion for any traveler. Buying a simple navigator today does not make sense, since most of the “tablets” are able to accurately plot a route and tell you the way to your destination using maps and the Internet. In addition, the devices also offer many additional features that will definitely come in handy on the road. The TOP-7 of the best tablets with a GPS navigator selected by our experts, which received the best reviews from customers, will help you find the ideal model.
Articles and Lifehacks
Interesting, what is gps in tablet, a miniature portable computer that has firmly entered our lives? For a modern person, it has already become customary to use all kinds of devices with a gps chip in everyday life. These devices include: trackers, phones, navigators, etc. Thanks to the improvement of the production technology of these devices, gps modules become much cheaper. They are used in cameras and video recorders, including camcorders.
Features of GPS built into tablet computer
Such a global positioning system (gps) allows you to determine the location of both stationary objects and objects in motion in three-dimensional space with a sufficiently high accuracy.
The domestic market reacted positively to the appearance of devices of this class. Recently, there has been a trend of combining a tablet computer and a navigation system for cars. As conceived by the manufacturers, the calling of such a “combine” is in the development of tablet computers that bring the features of a navigation system and a DVR. Let's figure out what gps is in a tablet. Studying the characteristics of a tablet with a gps module, we understand that it is able to receive signals from navigation satellites. Therefore, when downloading cards to the tablet, it can process the information coming from the module, i.e. serve as a navigator.
The average person can use such a device not only in the car, but also at home, at the workplace or on vacation. This device, which provides a wide range of possibilities, is a great helper, as it makes the user's life much easier. The advantage of car tablets is the convenient location of the buttons and the compact screen.
What can a gps tablet do?
Developing the tablet computer markets, Japanese manufacturers tried to embed a gps chip into the tablet, but this led to a significant increase in the cost of the device. However, such computers have become widespread among users. With such a popular device, you can: read books in electronic form, watch movies, play games, listen to radio (music), work on office programs, and also use the DVR and navigator functions. In addition, you can access the Internet in any place where there is gps coverage of the operator, as well as send mms or sms.
Through gps, you can make a video call (although not of sufficient quality). Such devices have gained wide popularity among people leading an active life. A significant part of budget devices do not support even 50% of the above functions.
Incredibly necessary for modern motorists is the GPS navigation service, which allows to determine the location of the car with an accuracy of 500 meters, the speed at which it moves. Two technologies based on the gps module allow users of mobile technology not to get lost in the stone jungle. To understand that this is a gps module, you need to get to know the technology better.
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- The first of them is a satellite global system, which was invented for the military by American scientists. Later, it became available to ordinary users of mobile devices. This is actually GPS.
- The second is AGPS technology, which should not be compared with A-GPS. It can be used to determine coordinates if the user is in an area where there is cellular coverage.
The advantage of the GPS module and the navigator as a whole is accuracy - it is possible to determine the coordinates with a probability of up to five meters. Despite the fact that everyone can use satellites, you will have to pay a one-time fee for navigation maps and special programs.
GPS also has disadvantages - it functions only in clear weather, since on cloudy days it is difficult to find the required number of satellites. In this case, there is another technology by which the navigator connects to a special server, instead of sending signals to satellites.
He downloads data on the location of satellites from this server and, using this, finds the latter much faster. With the help of a cellular program, the location is determined with less accuracy, but weather conditions do not affect operation.
The principles of operation are similar to the operation of a satellite navigation system: from three base (minimum) stations, signals are sent to a smartphone. Coordinates are calculated by their strength. With AGPS, it’s unlikely to get anywhere, but it’s possible not to get lost on the map.
GPS device
She is the simplest of them all. With the help of a GPS receiver, communication with satellites occurs, but it does not provide navigation. If it is connected to a computer, laptop, smartphone, etc., and the appropriate software is available, you can get to any place. It helps a lot to tourists moving along forest and mountain paths, where it is easy to get lost.
Car navigators
Among the navigation devices, the most popular are car navigators with a GPS module, which is a small touch screen that is powered by the operating system. The navigation program is installed by the manufacturer. It is impossible to replace it without violating the license.
Smartphones with GPS module
But, another class of devices has already appeared on the markets. These are smartphones with a built-in GPS module. Besides the fact that they suggest the way, the devices allow you to make a call and much more. So far, they have several significant drawbacks: a small screen, a weak software base that requires frequent Internet connections, poor visibility on the map, and the cards themselves are not very good. Therefore, it is still better to use them not for car navigation, but for pedestrian and city navigation.
Devices with cellular navigation
The last type without a built-in GPS module is AGPS smartphones (with cellular navigation), which, although it does not determine the location, is indispensable for finding some unknown lane.
How to choose a navigator?
Since there are many models of navigators, it is difficult to figure out which one is better. Therefore, it is recommended that you select several of them when buying in order to compare the characteristics.
The main functions of the GPS autonavigator
There are not so few of them:
- listening to MP3 files by recording your favorite songs on the built-in memory or using a flash card inserted into the navigation device. In most devices, the memory size is 2-4 GB;
- watching movies on the screen of the navigator and clips in different formats, which will help pass the time in traffic jams. At the same time, it must be remembered that this function is not the main one and cannot be compared with a full-fledged DVD player;
- often in devices there is a function for viewing images in a graphic file such as GIF and JPEG;
- a device that broadcasts voice prompts and music to a car audio system - an FM transmitter. Convenient because the speakers often cannot drown out the noise of a running engine;
- Another "hands-free" feature makes it possible to use the phone while driving - Hands-Free. Implemented "handsfree" via Bluetooth, ie. connection of the navigator to a mobile phone with a speaker and a microphone. In addition, Bluetooth makes it possible to download new maps and routes to the navigator;
- a much-requested traffic jam loading function, which helps to lay the route in such a way as not to get into a traffic jam;
- TV tuner built into the device that receives digital and analog television;
- a GSM / GPRS module that supports a SIM card of a cellular network, allowing the navigator to be both an Internet browser and a mobile phone. Navigators equipped with a GPRS module provide data on traffic jams;
- AV socket.
With its help, data from external sources can be transmitted to the navigator:
- from the game console;
- DVD player;
- rear view camera used for parking.
Characteristics of navigators
Main:
- operating time of the device, during which it is able to operate on replaceable batteries or a built-in rechargeable battery;
- value of permanent memory (built-in). Of particular importance is the characteristic in the absence of a slot for additional memory;
- operational memory, which serves directly for work (route calculation, etc.), and not for storing information. The characteristic determines the speed of the navigator and is equal to 128 MB in most models, although it can reach 512;
- chipset - the main element of the device, thanks to which communication with satellites occurs, the location of the car is determined;
- the number of receiver channels, which corresponds to the number of satellites operating simultaneously with the navigator (there should be at least three of them). If there are more, the accuracy increases. In some navigators there are from 20 to 32;
- the frequency of the processor, meaning, as for a computer, the number of operations simultaneously performed per second.
Video: How to connect a GPS module to Arduino
GSM/GPS modules for car alarms promptly inform the owner of the vehicle about its unauthorized use, start, stop or blocking of the power unit, as well as remote performance of service functions. The devices are universal, they can be installed on all brands of cars. Some systems are powered from the on-board network or others from the built-in power supply.
Informing the driver can be carried out by sending SMS or voice messages to pre-specified phone numbers of different mobile operators. Alarm control is performed remotely by means of telephones using a radio channel of a cellular network. Only when commands are given from specific phone numbers will they be accepted.
Status diagnostics can be carried out thanks to the signal of the LED lamp. Advanced car alarms are designed to work autonomously. To connect them, it is enough to connect the devices to the on-board electrical network.
Some Models GSM/GPS modules for car alarms have energy-saving modes to increase the lifespan. So, for example, in standby mode, the integrated battery will consume electricity only when a SIM card is present. And in the event of a power outage, the system will be able to function for several days.
Thanks to the use of GSM / GPS modules, it is possible to create effective security and telematic systems, which are usually connected via the CAN bus. Unlike conventional car alarms, devices of this type give a signal to the owner, regardless of the distance to him. The main thing is to have GSM coverage.
Main functions
Most GSM / GPS modules for car alarms perform the following functions:
- Connection via 2CAN bus
- Ability to operate in Slave mode
- Remote control of engine preheaters
- Controlling the standard car alarm with your phone
- Immobilizer bypass module control
- Possibility of automatic and remote start of the motor
- Obtaining data on the coordinates of the location of the car
Modern systems allow you to determine the location of the vehicle with an accuracy of several meters. This is the purpose of the GPS receiver. After sending the request, the phone device receives a text message with the coordinates of the location of the vehicle. Even in the event of theft, the owner of the car will be able to quickly find it or find out where a member of his family or another driver who is driving the car is now.
Modern modules can process over fifty commands, they can also be programmed. Several phone numbers can be stored in the SIM card memory, messages will be sent to them. Thanks to the module, you can find out why the alarm went off. Whether the cause was an open door, starting the engine, triggering a shock sensor, disabling the parking brake, etc.
Branded GSM/GPS modules will greatly increase the protection of the car and the convenience of its operation. Thanks to them, vehicle owners will always know where their four-wheeled friend is and what condition its main systems are in.
GPS (Global Positioning System, Global Positioning System) - Satellite navigation system that determines the position of objects in space according to the world coordinate system. Currently, this system is available in almost every mobile device, and microcontroller-ready GPS modules are also cheap and common. It is one of these modules that will be discussed now.
But, first, I will briefly describe the process of GPS operation. The possibility of using GPS is opened to us by satellites rotating in near-Earth orbit. These satellites send radio signals to the earth at a certain frequency. In this radio signal, the coordinates of the satellite itself, the time of sending, correction data, and other technical parameters are encoded. Knowing the distances to the satellites, using geometric transformations, you can find the position of the object in space. To determine the coordinates on the plane (i.e. latitude and longitude), it is enough to obtain data from 3 satellites, and to determine the position in 3D space, data from 4 satellites is already required. Civilian GPS systems can achieve accuracy of several meters.
To work with this system through a microcontroller, there are a dozen modules, costing from 150 to several thousand rubles. Some GPS modules are combined with GPRS/GSM modules, such as A7 or SIM808. We will discuss one of the cheapest modules GY-NEO6MV2. This module costs from 180 to 400 rubles, depending on the harness and the antenna supplied with it. There he is:
Rated supply voltage of the module is 5 Volts. When the power is connected, the red LED will turn on. After establishing a connection with the satellites, the LED starts flashing. By default, the module is configured for a speed of 9600 or 38400, which one you can only find out experimentally.
When connected to the UART, the module starts sending NMEA messages about once per second. Transmitted messages are configured using a specialized U-Center program. It looks like this: 
To configure the module, connect it via USB-UART(COM-UART) converter. For these purposes, I use a converter based on CH340. Use the Receiver-Port menu to set up the connection.
After the connection is established, the corresponding indicator in the program will turn green. After the module catches the satellites, the program will show the current coordinates, satellites, time, and so on. Messages are configured in the Messages window, which can be called from the menu:
In this menu you can choose which messages the GPS receiver will send via UART to the microcontroller. Depending on your tasks, the number of transmitted messages can be reduced, which will increase the speed of data processing, as well as simplify the algorithm for parsing messages by the microcontroller.
A brief description of the messages is indicated in the program: 
If the module cannot establish a connection with the satellites, the first step is to check the correct connection of the antenna (the connector must be firmly pressed). After that, check the supply voltage, it should be equal to 5 Volts. Then, if the antenna is connected correctly, try to place the module as close as possible to a window (if you are in a building) or go to an open area (outside a building). If all else fails, try changing the antenna to an active one, or a different length.
Thank you for your attention, in the next lesson we will connect this module to the microcontroller.
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