Tablet recommendations for in-car

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
Ok I'm disillusioned with the Avin / etc units. I don't want to integrate old crap into my car. So that said, I'm non-iDrive and thinking of just mounting a tablet. I'm not up to speed on what to care about (size is obvious). Are there brands/models/features I should consider or avoid?

I want to run Torque, MHD, maps, and might do some audio aux out with Spotify.

Thanks,

Filippo
 

NoQuarter

Major
Nov 24, 2017
1,662
1,066
0
Indiana, USA
Ride
Z4 35is, 535xi, X5 35i
You will have more options and flexibility if you can separate the display from the Android device.

Perhaps a nice HD display that you make look good on the install then an Android mini device with an HDMI output?
 

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
That's crazy talk. lol. I had not thought of that. Good idea.

My current brain fart - Galaxy Note 8 with Qi charging, with a spring-loaded hinge in the flip-up cubby hole. Qi charger for power, USB BT dongle does Torque, OTG/USB could switch in for MHD (isn't BT coming for MHD?), aux for sound cellular for full connection.

Filippo
 

langsbr

Captain
Apr 5, 2017
1,266
771
0
Ride
07 335i 6MT e90
@N54gasm nailed it - the Nexus 7 with Timur Kernel is probably still the best performing tablet you can get hardware wise.

With that being said, as much as I don't like the old android version and screen resolution of the Avin units, the integration is kinda nice. Since you are non-IDrive, have you seen the one that is F-style that you have to cut the dash to install, and it gives you the 10inch screen? You'd keep the stock radio, and use aux in just like the idrive ones, but it looks much nicer install than just slapping a big tablet on the dash.

https://avinusa.com/10-25-bmw-1-series-e81-e82-e87-e88-multimedia-navigation-system.html

That is for the 1 series - is the Z4 considered a 1 or 3 or what? The 3 series that you cut the dash for is this:

https://avinusa.com/10-25-bmw-3-series-e90-e91-e92-e93-android-multimedia-navigation-system.html
 
  • Informative
Reactions: fmorelli

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
Prime Day sucked me in. I ordered an Amazon Fire 8 HD ... but the closer was the Show Mode dock - very clean USB micro connection ... and USB wire out the back. I'm hoping to mount the Fire 8 HD and Show Mode dock in a fairly clean install. $80 total on Prime Day for both.

Filippo
 
  • Like
Reactions: doublespaces

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
I got the 8 and show doc ... think its too big. I'll have to look at something else. Field of dreams ... and besides, too much stuff is half broken right now ... going backwards not forwards ...

Filippo