Trail leading enhancement

[Mick Bowers 457]

Installed a Tackform heavy duty tablet mount and a Dual XGPS 160 Bluetooth GPS booster. I’m hoping this will result in less lag with GAIA and the tablet will provide a larger overview in addition to the Apple Carplay image my iphone is projecting onto the infotainment screen. The Dual works  very well and can support five devices at once. The  app is sophisticated and reliable. (So far) 

Edited December 15, 2024 by Mick Bowers

[4WLNRN 774]

Who makes that mounting arm system?

[Mick Bowers 457]

Tackform. You want the Amazon link?

[Mick Bowers 457]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PNY72ZS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

[4WLNRN 774]

Thank you sir!!

[GTGallop 60]

I have never heard of a GPS Booster, only improved antennas.  It has a power button on it?  Please report back and let us know how that is doing.

 

I find that when my phone is up on top of the dash the GPS is accurate and fast but when it is down under the center console, not so much.  Since you can't really add an external antenna to a phone this might be the business!

 

Also - While we are on the topic....   My truck (and my last truck) has a fin on the roof.  Apparently that only has the AM/FM radio receiving antenna for the in dash infotainment radio.  My onboard Cell (4G), WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth antennas are all in various places under the dashboard and passenger kick panel.  Apparently Ford and Toyota skipped Radio Day the way people skip Leg Day in the gym.  Why not spend the extra $2 in wire to put those antennas somewhere reasonable?  AND why not give you a place to add an antenna - like if you wanted to run an external cell antenna and then plug it into the onboard cell device.  Same with WiFi. 

[Mick Bowers 457]

 

Hey Greg,

The term “booster” is mine and is almost certainly inaccurate 🥴.

It’s called a (GPS Receiver) which sounds closer to an antenna.    A friend of mine uses it in his Jeep.  He called it a booster,  but also antenna.
We co-lead rides sometimes and his Gaia tracks seem to have less lag periods.    I will attach a pix of the box.  I haven’t had a chance to try it out in remote areas yet. 
I'm leading a ride on Jan 4 and will be sure to let you know how it works in areas with no or weak data. 

In regards to the lack of external antenna ports option;   I’m with you.  A roof fin antenna for phones (carplay) and/or GMRS would make a lot sense for and off road capable vehicles.    I’m using a stubby antenna for the GRMS now. You have to get the wire outside. They could do that much better in the factory as you say. 

Mick 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2024 by Mick Bowers

[GTGallop 60]

I just googled it and read up on it.  It uses several different GPS Sat Systems to add to it's precision and pinpoint accuracy.  I've always wondered why some vendors pick one system over others.  Looks like a nice bit of kit and should be faster and more accurate because it is querying signals from so many different satellites.

[Mick Bowers 457]

My main problem is, when when running Gaia from my iPhone onto my infotainment screen it shows a closeup. You cant see ahead very well.

The lag  compounds that and you can drive past a turn pretty easily. I’m gonna us an iPad mine in addition to the iphone to get a wider view. 
thaks gor the research. 

Edited December 26, 2024 by Mick Bowers

[GTGallop 60]

Struggling with similar...   Mine is a desire for more screen to see what I'm doing but then that becomes a real estate nightmare mounting phones and tablets and ham radio mics and stuff.  I find that no matter how securely you mount those things they always end up rattling after a few hundred miles.  First on the trail, then on the smooth free way and then as you are going 15MPH in a school zone.

 

I think I'm going to go the route of replacing my anemic screen with a bigger one.  These are starting to come out now and from what I hear the build quality is pretty good.  No more shake rattle and roll that your standard OEM dash components.

 

https://aucarauto.com/product/aucar-tesla-android-13-13-8-car-radio-for-toyota-tacoma-2016-2023/

 

Looks like they may make one for your cruiser too.

https://aucarauto.com/product/px6-4gb-ram-android-9-0-car-gps-navigation-for-toyota-land-cruiser-prado-120-lexus-gx470-headunit-multimedia-radio-tape-recorder/