How to make a navigator from a tablet, review of suitable models and software. How to make a car navigator from a tablet
If you want to have a fully functional navigation system in your car, it is not at all necessary to purchase a separate navigator. Let's say more - this is not advisable in terms of spending money if you are not a taxi driver and do not plan to use navigation constantly.
We hope you already have a smartphone or tablet. Almost all modern smartphones have a GPS module and a decent-sized display. And this is already enough to turn a smartphone (tablet) into a full-fledged navigator for a car.
So, to your mobile device has turned into a real navigator for a car, you will have to implement the following 3 steps.
STEP 1: INSTALLING NAVIGATION SOFTWARE
As you understand, any navigator operates on the basis specific program, which is responsible for contacting the device with satellites, displaying information on the screen and performing other tasks. If your smartphone runs on the Android mobile operating system, then you can always select and download the appropriate program on our website. There are many navigation apps available. Which one to choose is up to you. After reading other materials on our site, you can always make the right choice for yourself. For other mobiles operating systems There is also a decent selection of navigation software on the Internet.
STEP 2: ENSURING AUTONOMY
The main disadvantage of most modern smartphones and tablets is their poor autonomy. If you plan to use the navigator in your car only periodically and not for a long period of time, then it makes sense to purchase a smartphone with reinforced battery, the capacity of which will be at least 3000-3500 mah (for smartphones).
But there is a more rational way to ensure maximum autonomy of your gadget. You just need to buy a car charger. The first option is a charger with a microUSB cable and a cigarette lighter connector. The second option is an adapter from a car cigarette lighter to USB. In the second case, you will need to connect the adapter to your phone with a regular cord, which is included with your smartphone and is used for charging and connecting to a PC.
STEP 3: BUYING A CAR HOLDER
A smartphone or tablet used as a navigator must be secured in the car so that it is convenient for the driver to look at the screen without being distracted from driving the vehicle. This task can be accomplished using car holder, of which there are a great many on sale.
All you have to do is choose a holder that suits your gadget and your needs. Most often, drivers attach smartphone holders to the windshield, but many people also like the option of being mounted on the dashboard or on the plastic near it.
Today on the market you can find large number GPS devices with different functionality and price category. But not all people are ready to immediately buy a GPS navigator and prefer to make it themselves. Whether this is necessary is difficult to say. But it is, without a doubt, possible.
How to make a navigator with your own hands
You can make your own navigator 2 in different ways. For the first option you will need a battery, the simplest mobile device and a GPS transmitter. It will take a lot of time to assemble such a GPS navigator. First of all, you need to have a good understanding of system programming and electronics. This navigator is very difficult to use. Messages will need to be sent to a satellite, and coordinates will have to be overlaid on maps.
A simpler second method: a GPS navigator can be made using a laptop. To do this you will need a GPS receiver and a laptop itself. We connect a GPS receiver via USB, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The laptop should detect the device itself. Then we install the appropriate one on the computer software, which can be easily downloaded on the Internet.
Programs for creating a navigator
There are many programs that are suitable for trips out of town. There are also special programs for trips around the city. This is, for example, the OziExplorer program. With its help you can use scanned maps of the area. It is best to use electronic GPS maps for driving around the city. There is another program that has gained popularity due to its accurate map of St. Petersburg. This is the CityGuide program. It also provides information about traffic jams.
Laptop as a GPS navigator
In a car, the laptop must be installed in such a way that it does not slip or fall while driving. The car mount allows you to securely mount your laptop. If your PC has Internet access, you can install programs that provide information about traffic jams. And if everything is in order, then the GPS navigator is ready. Now you know how to make a navigator from a laptop. And if problems arise, you need to understand the computer settings.
As you can see, you can make a GPS navigator out of a laptop. And it is quite justified to use a laptop as a GPS navigator. Since it is possible to use various navigation programs using the large display. All you need to do is purchase a GPS receiver for your laptop. And the navigation problem is solved forever.
So, you can install our navigator directly via Play Store or APK file downloaded from the official website. We will consider both options. Let's also touch on downloading additional maps.
Via Play Store
There are two ways to install NAVITEL from the Google store. This can be done through the smartphone itself or through a PC. Let's take a closer look at each method.
Initially, Navitel requires registration of each installed version and payment for using its functions. When registering, you will be able to choose the conditions for using the program: pay for the installation immediately or start a trial version, which gives you the opportunity to test all the functionality for a certain period of time.
As for installing the application, there are two options:
- legal installation of Navitel from Google Play, with registration and payment;
- copying installation files and maps to the tablet’s memory for subsequent installation.
This is the easiest way. Make sure that the tablet is connected to a stable Internet channel, and you are ready to start. Your actions will look like this:
- Open Google Play.
- Enter Navitel or Navitel in the search bar. The first search result will be the program we need.
- Open the application you find, review the features and requirements if necessary, and click Install. The normal download and installation procedure will begin.
- Upon completion, all you have to do is register the application on the website navitel.ru, after which you will be prompted buy full version or start trial period use. Required cards can be found at any time on the same website.
If you want to immediately install the version with full functionality, then you will need to find a ready-made installation file and separately the cards that will be used by the program.
How to find out if your tablet has a navigator
To do this you need:
- Find the “Settings” item in the application menu and go there.
- In the device settings, go to the “Location” item. There you will be offered a number of options for determining your location. Check if there is a " GPS satellites" If it is present, mark it.
Please note that using the tablet as a navigator, you can track its movement, so if your tablet or car is stolen, you can always find out its location - we described this in more detail in this article.
- Usage tablet as a navigator implies running on it special application with cards. Most Android devices come with various applications, one of which is the GoogleMaps navigator, called “Maps”. Find it in the main menu and launch it. When you first launch, you will be asked to allow the application to determine your location, as well as turn on Wi-Fi in order to avoid traffic costs.
- Click on the pointer icon. In the window that appears, you will be asked to get directions from the place where you are.
- As an example, let’s enter the Lukyanovskaya metro station in the “End point” line. Click on the “Get directions” button. The application will display an image of a map with a route on it, as well as the estimated time in which you can get to your destination.
- Click on the menu button. The drop-down list will offer additional options working with Navigator.
- Entire route – allows you to see the entire path to be taken.
- Route details – detailed description all turns and routes.
- Sound off/on – allows you to turn off sound alerts when working with Navigator.
- Layers – This option marks traffic jams, tourist spots, gas stations, ATMs, banks, restaurants, and satellite views on the map.
- To center the map on your location, just click on the icon with a blue arrow.
Purchasing the program
Naturally, use trial version It won’t work on an ongoing basis, so for those who are interested in the program, we will briefly tell you how to buy its full (premium) version.
- So, in order to get to the purchase menu paid version, you just need to restart the navigator. Be sure to close it completely. When the menu shown in the screenshot below appears, tap on the indicated button.
- Next, we can either proceed to purchase the program, which will be discussed further, or activate a key already purchased elsewhere. In our case, this will be the first option, click on it.
- We select the card that we will buy and click on the download button.
- Last time the download started, but now we find ourselves in the software payment menu. Click on the button that we circled in the picture. The price of the issue is also visible here.
- Then we just continue what we started.
- We are taken to a page with a payment form. Naturally, you will need to provide personal information and payment details. Let's do it.
As soon as the required amount is transferred from your account to your NAVITEL account, the program will receive premium status and will be yours on an ongoing basis. We will move on to summing up the results.
How to install GPS on a tablet
There is a possibility that your tablet does not have Google Maps and Navigator pre-installed. In order to download them, you need to go to the applications menu and find PlayMarket. IN search bar you need to enter " Google Maps" and install the application.
Yandex Maps
If you are a competitor, then be in everything. The Russian search engine Yandex could not ignore such valuable information. modern world direction like GPS navigation. Just like most other map providers, we are given the option to download maps before use or download them on the fly via the Internet.
An interesting feature of Yandex Maps is the so-called folk maps, which are edited on the principle of “a traveler for a traveler.” If your tablet is not equipped with a GPS receiver, this is not a hindrance for Yandex, which can work with A-GPS and determine the user’s location based on the location of cell towers and Wi-Fi.
Navitel Navigator
Navitel Navigator is a powerful navigator application that works in the CIS countries and Europe. Usage and functionality are based on high level.
Among the features of the program it is worth highlighting:
- 2D and 3D maps;
- convenient work with both a tablet and a smartphone;
- correct and detailed display of various objects on the map.
Unfortunately, this program is paid, but this is not the only drawback. The demands on the tablet's hardware resources also make themselves felt when you need a smooth and enjoyable experience with this application.
Sygic GPS Navigator
This program is a typical representative car navigators, which has everything to rightfully be considered one of the best in its class:
- interface adaptability horizontal orientation screen;
- the ability to preload maps;
- sound and voice alerts to the user in different situations;
- display of terrain in 2D and 3D;
This application is the complete opposite of the previous navigator and is aimed primarily at pedestrian users, which, however, does not prevent drivers from using it. The ability to cache maps allows you to download them once, without worrying about repeated traffic costs in already visited places.
A simple and easy-to-use interface makes this program indispensable for travelers.
Articles and Lifehacks
Often motorists who know how to make a navigator from a tablet, V as GPS successfully use tablet computers. Today, gadgets for cars are presented in a fairly wide range, so many users find it difficult to choose for themselves. suitable device.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a navigator made from tablet computer
Owners of such gadgets use their devices in the same way, although GPS has some limitations in its functions.
Advantages of the tablet:
- ease of use of a large screen;
- access to the World Wide Web, which allows you to obtain information about possible traffic jams;
- availability powerful processor(preferably dual-core);
- possession additional functions(watching movies, listening to music, communicating via Skype);
- availability powerful battery, which allows the device to operate for up to 15 hours;
- the ability to watch videos without slowdowns thanks to the special screen resolution.
The negative aspects include:
- lack of fastening, the need to manufacture it yourself;
- large sizes screens that impede visibility while driving;
- low level reception of satellites.
Applications used to convert a tablet into a navigator
There are various programs, suggesting how to make a navigator out of a tablet. A tablet device equipped with a Bluetooth interface can be used as an external receiver. The system automatically finds and connects GPS.
To download the required applications, you need to select PlayMarket in the application menu, and then enter “Google Maps” in the search bar.
Yandex determines the user's location via Wi-Fi and cell towers. Cards search engines GPS can be downloaded via the Internet.
In European countries, the functional navigator application Navitel Navigator works at a high level. A special feature of this program is the correct and detailed display of all kinds of objects on the map. However this application paid, and also has high requirements for the hardware resources of the tablet computer.
To use the tablet as a navigator, the user needs to launch a special program with maps (for example, the GoogleMaps application). To determine the location of the motorist, the application located in the menu must be launched. To avoid additional traffic costs, the user will be prompted to turn on Wi-Fi. After clicking on the pointer icon, a suggested optimal route to your destination, possible traffic jams and time of arrival to the desired location.