Best Tablets for Off-Road GPS
Please note: Tablets must have cellular capabilities to see your GPS location with onX Offroad. However, an active cellular plan is not required—though data plans are recommended for the full-feature experience. Tablets not equipped with cellular capabilities/GPS radio can still access onX Offroad maps, but users cannot see their location while navigating.
The right tablet can be the perfect addition to an off-roading excursion. Coupled with GPS, tablets can work wonders to give off-roaders dependable navigation through the most challenging trails and terrain. Some of the advantages tablets have over a regular GPS include multi-functionality, low cost, and maps that are easy to update. Finding the best GPS tablet for off-roading can be exciting yet challenging. Qualities such as weight, battery life, storage, and speed are just some factors to consider. This article is intended to help off-roaders find the right tablet and explain why the devices are at their best with the onX Offroad app.
The Best Tablets for Off-Roading
Here are some of the best tablets for off-road GPS navigation based on durability, battery life, picture quality, and speed.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
Weighing in at just over one pound, the Galaxy Tab S9 is a powerful tablet with an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display powered by a Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 processor utilizing the Android OS platform. The Tab S9 is built for durability thanks to its Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass protecting the display. The IP68 protection rating means water and dust resistance worthy of off-road adventures. For those looking for a slightly bigger display and more processing power, Samsung also offers the Galaxy in 12.4-inch Tab S9 Plus (+$320) or 14.6-inch Tab S9 Ultra (+$520) versions.
Apple iPad Air (2024) 13-inch
Apple has updated the iPad Air for 2024 with a new 13-inch size and a faster M2 chip that elevates the new Air to performance levels previously found only on iPad Pro models. Despite the faster processing speeds, the iPad Air still delivers up to 11 hours of battery life. And with a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, you’ll be able to capture your adventures with one of the most powerful tablets on the market.
Lenovo Tab P12
The Lenovo Tab P12 offers affordable performance with a MediaTek SoC processor and a 12.7-inch 3K display that’s more than suitable for off-road navigation. The P12 runs on the Android 13 OS and includes a forward-facing 13MP camera, JBL speaker system, and up to 10 hours of battery life. With an MSRP of only $260, this tablet is loaded with features that deliver outstanding value with a limited budget.
Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet
The Latitude 7220 from Dell delivers rugged performance in a tablet built for extreme conditions. The 7220 passes four-foot drop-tests and is temperature-tested from -20F to 145F. The 7220 is IP-65 rated and built to military-grade durability specs that provide protection from dirt, dust, mud, and water. Add to that an 11.6-inch outdoor-readable display protected with Gorilla Glass, and it’s easy to see why the Latitude 7220 is one of the most durable tablets on the market for extreme conditions.
Panasonic Toughbook G2
As the name implies, Panasonic’s Toughbook G2 is a rugged tablet built to MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461G standards that is also IP65-rated. An outstanding 18.5 hours of battery life makes this tablet a formidable ally when in remote backcountry. The Toughbook G2’s 10.1-inch outdoor-viewable display makes navigating easier when in bright conditions. Although on the heavier side, this tablet is ideal for serious off-road adventures where durability and connectivity are imperative in remote settings.
Apple iPad Pro (2024) 13-Inch
The latest generation iPad Pro from Apple may be a bit overkill and spendy; however, if you are looking for a powerful tablet with a super-crisp OLED Ultra Retina XDR display and impressive battery life, the 13-inch model is worth consideration. Apple’s new M4 chip produces impressive speeds with multiple applications running simultaneously, which means more power to run GPS software and other useful apps. Landing at the higher end of the tablet price scale, the 13-inch 2024 iPad Pro may not be for everyone, but it delivers laptop-level performance for off-road adventures.
onX Offroad on Your Tablet
The onX Offroad App is for off-roaders who want to get the most out of their time behind the wheel. Some of the reasons to add onX Offroad to your tablet include:
Store Maps for Offline Use
No need to worry about whether or not your trail will have service. onX Offroad allows you to save maps on your tablet. These maps feature interactive land and trail data. The tablet’s internal GPS lets you see your location on saved maps.
Pro Tip: Before you take off on your adventure, make sure you have those maps fully downloaded with the green check mark. Once you see that, you are ready to rip!
Get Information on Public and Private Land
You will have access to landowner information from all over the country. The app will show you public and private land. Information includes private landowner names and boundaries. Those with an onX Offroad Elite subscription will also see acreage, but an added benefit of being an Elite member is you will have access to powerful planning tools like Recent Imagery, where you will be able to monitor snow and water levels, as well as changing patterns in weather so you know what the trail looks like before you go.
Customize with Markups
You can add Waypoints and mark campsites. You can also add lines to create routes you want to remember and return to. Elevate your trip planning experience with custom waypoints, routes, and more. When you are ready to relive those adventures, toss those markups in a folder and share them with your buddies.
Access Thousands of Off-Road Trails
You can find information such as open and close dates. Find out if a trail is right for you with photos and difficulty ratings.
onX Offroad is $34.99 per year for Premium and $99.99 per year for Elite. You can start a free trial for seven days. This trial includes Elite features.
Experience Off-road with the Right Tablet
Built for the ever-changing nature of the trails, the right tablet makes a great addition to the off-roading experience. Yet, off-roaders know that every tablet needs the right app. onX Offroad is the perfect way to get the most out of your tablet. Having essential trail information and the ability to save trails at your fingertips are just some reasons to consider the app. The right tablet combined with the onX Offroad App improves time on the trails.