P500 I mounted a 7" tablet to my column to use as a GPS system

[865Pioneer500]

I pieced together a mount for my old Nexus 7 tablet to use as a GPS system. It's a RAM universal 7" tablet mount with a 3" composite arm and a 2 bolt aluminum ball mount base. The base almost mounts perfectly to two existing 10mm bolts on the column. It just needed a tiny bit of widening of the holes with a rat tail file, one washer under each side to space it up to clear the paddle shifter wires, and some longer bolts. I'm running Backcountry Navigator Pro with free Cal topo 24K maps saved locally on the tablet. The next task is to wire up a waterproof 12v to 5v converter using the accessory sub harness and power it up without cables draped across my dash.

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[SouthwestORV]

That's pretty cool! You made it look factory!

 

[Chooglin]

Great job!

 

[MarlinWalker]

That turned out nice and a great use of wasted space. I use a cellphone holder on my 4-wheeler to run Back Country Navigator GPS but this would be a good upgrade from that. Well done.

 

[Todd627]

Nice!! Agree with @SouthwestORV, looks very factory

 

[865Pioneer500]

Thanks! My waterproof DC to DC converter should be here Saturday to finish it up.

 

[Reds10]

Very nice!

 

[865Pioneer500]

Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072JC1DQF/?tag=sxsweb24-20

That is the converter I'm going to use. It's output is quite a bit more than required, so it won't be under any strain.

 

[865Pioneer500]

I installed my DC/DC converter. I crimped on brass 3.5mm bullet connectors, so it plugged right in to the accessory harness. I also packed the USB cable connection with dielectric grease and shrink wrapped it. All done!

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[gmacaluso]

865,

Really great looking setup. I'd like to do something similar but have precious few skills compared to the steps you describe and obviously mastered. Any simpler suggestion for mechanically challenged and tool restricted?

Thanks,

Gmac

 

[100Acre]

I pieced together a mount for my old Nexus 7 tablet to use as a GPS system. It's a RAM universal 7" tablet mount with a 3" composite arm and a 2 bolt aluminum ball mount base. The base almost mounts perfectly to two existing 10mm bolts on the column. It just needed a tiny bit of widening of the holes with a rat tail file, one washer under each side to space it up to clear the paddle shifter wires, and some longer bolts. I'm running Backcountry Navigator Pro with free Cal topo 24K maps saved locally on the tablet. The next task is to wire up a waterproof 12v to 5v converter using the accessory sub harness and power it up without cables draped across my dash.

20181029_213657

• 865Pioneer500
• Oct 29, 2018

20181029_213710

• 865Pioneer500
• Oct 29, 2018

20181029_213749

• 865Pioneer500
• Oct 29, 2018

20181029_213910

• 865Pioneer500
• Oct 29, 2018

20181029_213927

• 865Pioneer500
• Oct 29, 2018

20181029_214020

• 865Pioneer500
• Oct 29, 2018

20181029_214110

• 865Pioneer500
• Oct 29, 2018

Badass!

 

[AlR]

How has that tablet stood up to the vibration, pounding, dust and rain?
Al

 

[snakeriver]

Great job......I have been contemplating the same thing

 

[trigger]

How has that tablet stood up to the vibration, pounding, dust and rain?
Al

That was my concern so I got one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM-T...ive2-Ruggedized/dp/B07856DNSX?tag=sxsweb24-20

 

[865Pioneer500]

How has that tablet stood up to the vibration, pounding, dust and rain?
Al

So far, no issues. The mount is very secure and doesn't vibrate much at all. I either put a plastic bag over it if it starts raining or put it in a soft case inside my cargo box. It is an old google nexus tablet and I've got my use out of it and then some, but when or if it ever goes south, I'll probably go with a lifetime trail maps setup with a 8" waterproof samsung.