Android Tablets (mobile version)

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I already mentioned, which tablets I would choose (May 2024). On this page, I created a comparison of the three most suitable devices at the moment and my experiences with using of two of them (CarpeIter and WLPcom WLPcom WT-8 RACE). The choice that you make is a trade-off for your specific use-case and also might dependent on someone who can support you or mount it.

Carpe Iter:

• When to choose: Advanced recreational use

• Pros:

  • 1000 nits (screen brightness)

  • Android 11

  • Proven and widely used (large installed base)

• Cons:

  • Difficult support
    (responiveness Carpe)

  • No alternative charging when using mount

WLPcom WT-8 Race:

• When to choose: Competition use

• Pros:

  • 1500 nits screen (brightness)

  • External GPS

  • Great support of dedicated owner

  • Significant backup charging options when in mount 

• Cons:

  • No internal GPS antenna (robustness of external charging cable)

  • Android 9

DMD T-865:

• When to choose: Advanced recreational use

• Pros:

  • Android 12

  • Superior internal GPS (antenna)

  • Great support and community

  • External GPS antenna can be mounted

  • Proven (growing installed base)

• Cons:

  • 800 nits screen (brightness)

"Some" personal expirience and considerations:

As mentioned, all three are good options. I currently use the CarpeIter on my BMW R 1200GS Adventure (in combination with the Wunderlinq controller) and the WLPcom WT-8 Race on my Husqvarna 701 enduro. On my Berrt BMW R 1150 GS enduro, I don't have a tablet mounted yet, but I have plans to mount one of my current tablets in combination with the (old) Carpe Terrain command and small KTM switches (mounted on the terrain command).

Carpe Iter

With the CarpeIter, I had problems during the 2023 Gibraltar Race. GPS reception fell away (both with me and with Dirk Mantje) on multiple moments in special stages, which costed quite some time. Additionally, the charging fell away (not to blame the tablet). However no alternative options where available when mounted in the holder (using e.g. USB).

This does not mean that the Cape is a bad tablet. Good for recreational use (also Garmin GPSes had in the same location quite some problems in the 2019 Gibraltar race). And in the mean time quite some development/improvement effort has been invested in the Carpe (ironically, I think partially due to efforts of  Thork racing). On the Internet and Facebook there are quite some negative stories published. However, think it is due to the large installed base and being the first tablet being used on a larger scale.

WLPcom

The  best drivers in the Gibraltar Race of 2023 (Mark Kinnard, Renato Zocchi, Mirco Bettini, Niccolò Pietribiasi) where driving with a WLPcom tablet. In the mean time, Thork Racing just started with the then new T-865 they just developed. So when I was fed-up with the GPS-reception problems, I had to make a choice.

After good and pleasant contact with Paolo Venezia (owner of WLPcom) and some guidance from Mark Kinnard, I decided to buy the WLPcom 8'' tablet and get it mounted for the 2023 Alps Tourist Trophy. That was initially a time challenge, because the charging and GPS antanna cable broke. However, with the help of Gerben van dem Beld of EKmotors and Paolo helping remotely, I was ready to go.

During the 2023 Alps Tourist Trophy (ATT), I had one time gps reception problems (last special stage in the woods) and again charging problems (issue on the Husky Rally Tower). Luckily, less stress, because of alternative options (USB-C and a 5volt "pin" cable). However, GPS reception was still not as good as I wanted to have it. For the rest - great tablet, super screen and very nice support from Paolo. 

For the 2023 ATT, I had bought a backup GPS-solution, the Columbus P-9 Race. This was not dust and water proof, but could do in case of problems. In the end, I did not use it. After the ATT, Gerben mounted the renewed the WLPcom cables and antenna's. During some tests for the Illyria Raid early april 2024, I noticed that the GPS reception (especially in wet/rainy  conditions in the forrest) was not optimal yet. 

To solve this, I was looking for a backup solution and other antenna (and antenna mounting position). I considered the Bad Elf mini flex as a second GPS. However this was quite costly (> EUR 600 just for a BT GPS receiver) and mainly developed for IOS. Additionally a first test with the P-9 Race had great results. Therefore, I decided to mount the P-9 Race (making it waterproof with a transparant water hose (pictures to follow) and making a fixed power connection to the Rally Tower) as a second GPS device. Additionally, Gerben mounted a very good active GPS antenna on a different position on the bike. Tests to follow during the Illyria Raid in then next weeks.

Note that here also the power of Locusmap comes into place. Locus can work with multiple GPS-es (one at at time). Don't think a lot of other applications can do that.

So, I had some bad luck with the WLPcom. However, I really like and appreciate the endless support of Paolo (which Mark Kinnard also indicated). To be honest that support is for me more important than a small issue with e.g. a cable. And, I also like the tablet. Robust and the best screen available at the moment. Good choice for advanced usage when you have some technical knowledge or support available.

And - WLPcom is used a lot in a lot of offroad and Rally events in Italy!

DMD T-865

Altough, I don't have used it (yet), I would buy it for use on the GSes, if I would need a replacement. I hear great stories, there have been quite some improvements since its release and the 800 nit screen should be sufficient in most cases. Additionally it has a great community and my expirience with the support from Thork Racing is great (I got great support on the Carpe Iter with e.g. GPS-chip replacements). Furthermore, the Thork guys (also) know what they are doing. For rally use, I will stick to WLPcom.

Where to Buy:

Obviously, you can buy the devices that at Thork, WLPcom or CarpeIter, which also did (Thork and WLPcom). However, if you want local support, I can recommend the following (local to NL and BE) people:

• MotoWoW of Olaf Kempers
  Olaf sells and mounts the Carpe Iter and the DMD T-865. He has mounted the Carpe Iter and Wunderlinq on my 1200 GS and is an offroad enthusiast and multile time participant of the Dutch GS Trophy (with great results)

• Bartang of Peter Scheltens
  Peter sells the DMD T-865 and is dealer of Klim. He also is an offroad enthusiast and has traveled the world on his Honda CRF

• Allroadmoto.be of Glenn Haentjens
  Glenn also sells and mounts both the Carpe Iter and the DMD T-865. Also an offroad enthusiast. I got some more practicing 🙈 with changing tires last year under Glenn's supervision.

And for mounting:

• EKmotors of Eddy van der Kuilen
  Eddy is my Husqvarna dealer. He and Gerben van den Beld make sure that all my ideas work in practice. He does not sell any GPS-es or tablets.

Obviously there are more (certainly for mounting). However, I have mentioned the ones that have the expirience and are offroad focussed.

Other tablets

Off course you can buy and mount other tablets (Oukitel, Samsung, ...). These will also work. However the above ones are specially designed and tested for offroad motorbike use and are I think more reliable and durable.

One interesting option is the Garmin Tread 8''. It can run both Locusmap and DMD. However, is pricy and requires some technical knowledge. I also looked seriously at the Marine Orca tablet. 10'' and 1000 nits. In the end did not decide to use it. 10'' is quite big on a bike and I was worried about the mounting. However, one of the best alternatives that I have seen.