Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 GPS?

[Dino]

Sorry folks, I know this has come up before but I’m trying to buy an android tablet for me Dad. He’s looking at a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 WiFi version. The specs online say it has GPS and Glonass but the guy in the shop says it doesn’t. I’ve even had an online chat with a Samsung agent and they say that it only has gps in the LTE SIM card version.
Does anyone have one of these units and does it work with Navionics

 

[northwind]

I have the wifi one and it has gps.

 

[Dino]

Thanks

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have the wifi one and it has gps.

Me too.

 

[KeelsonGraham]

As per observations on a separate thread about iPads, be careful. For example, only LTE SIM card versions of Apple devices have a real built-in GPS receiver. My wifi iPad Pro does ‘GPS’ position - but not really, it’s relying on local networks.

Your guy in the shop is probably right. However, if all your sailing is hugging the coast you’ll probably be OK.

 

[pvb]

Your guy in the shop is probably right.

But the specs say it has GPS. Do you think Samsung's specs are untrue?

 

[Rappey]

Location Technology GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 WiFi | View Specs | Samsung UK

and this in not a sim card version.

 

[PaulRainbow]

As per observations on a separate thread about iPads, be careful. For example, only LTE SIM card versions of Apple devices have a real built-in GPS receiver. My wifi iPad Pro does ‘GPS’ position - but not really, it’s relying on local networks.

Your guy in the shop is probably right. However, if all your sailing is hugging the coast you’ll probably be OK.

More relevant observations would be posts #2 and #4 in this thread

 

[DipperToo]

More relevant observations would be posts #2 and #4 in this thread

Sadly many manufacturers bury the real info deep within their specifications. As mentioned previously, all iPads need to have the LTE/SIM option to get 'real' gps. Most Samsung tablets have gps as standard and there are also Windows tablets/Notebooks (which I need to run PC PLotter) and here you need, like ipads, to have the LTE versions to get gps.

 

[anpgr]

It used to be the case that location accuracy was better on mobile versions because of assisted GPS (e.g. versions with LTE, 3G etc) - this is because cell towers also provide location information. This can improve accuracy in difficult environments and could also improve power consumption and speed of location acquisition. I don't know if that is still the case, with several GPS-type systems now available. I think you will be OK with the non-LTE version - Samsung online store says it has GPS - if it turns out that is not true you can return.
But if this will be used on a boat, I'd go for LTE. This will allow you to also get weather and other info while coastal cruising. And can be emergency backup if phone/vhf fail.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I’ve got a Samsung A8 2019 wifi tablet which I use in the cockpit while drift fishing. Definitely has gps.

 

[dunedin]

As per observations on a separate thread about iPads, be careful. For example, only LTE SIM card versions of Apple devices have a real built-in GPS receiver. My wifi iPad Pro does ‘GPS’ position - but not really, it’s relying on local networks.

Your guy in the shop is probably right. However, if all your sailing is hugging the coast you’ll probably be OK.

This seems to be a unique Apple failing (or marketing / revenue trick). Not aware if any other brand which fails to fit GPS as standard in expensive, or indeed in the other cases inexpensive, tablets

 

[PaulRainbow]

It used to be the case that location accuracy was better on mobile versions because of assisted GPS (e.g. versions with LTE, 3G etc) - this is because cell towers also provide location information. This can improve accuracy in difficult environments and could also improve power consumption and speed of location acquisition. I don't know if that is still the case, with several GPS-type systems now available. I think you will be OK with the non-LTE version - Samsung online store says it has GPS - if it turns out that is not true you can return.
But if this will be used on a boat, I'd go for LTE. This will allow you to also get weather and other info while coastal cruising. And can be emergency backup if phone/vhf fail.

So, you think there is a chance that Samsung have lied and their tablets don't have GPS ? You must also think that there is a chance that those in this thread who have confirmed that they DO have GPS, must also be lying ?

 

[anpgr]

So, you think there is a chance that Samsung have lied and their tablets don't have GPS ? You must also think that there is a chance that those in this thread who have confirmed that they DO have GPS, must also be lying ?

The OP said that the Samsung agent told them there was no GPS in the non-LTE version. Are they lying? Are you lying? I don't care - and I didn't suggest either of these.
I just said they can return.
If you feel that I called you a liar then please deal with your feelings and drop the passive aggressive attitude.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The OP said that the Samsung agent told them there was no GPS in the non-LTE version. Are they lying? Are you lying? I don't care - and I didn't suggest either of these.
I just said they can return.
If you feel that I called you a liar then please deal with your feelings and drop the passive aggressive attitude.

You actually said "Samsung online store says it has GPS - if it turns out that is not true you can return. "

It's amazing how some people on these forums can turn the simplest of questions into a saga.

 

[RichardS]

I've lost my way with this thread.

Surely if the Samsung online store confirms that GPS is included and you buy one and it turns out that GPS is not fitted you can, of course, get your money back?

Richard

 

[Chris_Robb]

As per observations on a separate thread about iPads, be careful. For example, only LTE SIM card versions of Apple devices have a real built-in GPS receiver. My wifi iPad Pro does ‘GPS’ position - but not really, it’s relying on local networks.

Your guy in the shop is probably right. However, if all your sailing is hugging the coast you’ll probably be OK.

+The guy in the shop want you to buy Apple and pay more for the Sim version. He's talking bollocks.

Samsung does not do what apple does and not include full GPS in only the sim card versions.

Having had a faulty S7 where the GPS satellite function was not working, the location in Greece down the evia channel was jumping from transmitter to transmitter - first one side of the chanel then the other. Its no good for what you want.

Also, I would not waste your money on getting a sim version, as its cheaper and better to buy a WiFi server such as the TP Link, then you dont care what phone number you have as you dont use the number anyway - and serves the whole boat.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I've lost my way with this thread.

Surely if the Samsung online store confirms that GPS is included and you buy one and it turns out that GPS is not fitted you can, of course, get your money back?

Richard

You'd be forgiven for thinking the thread would have ended at post #4, when two people have confirmed ownership of the said device and that it does indeed have real GPS, as advertised.

 

[anpgr]

I've lost my way with this thread.

Surely if the Samsung online store confirms that GPS is included and you buy one and it turns out that GPS is not fitted you can, of course, get your money back?

Richard

Yes, but Paulrainbow may feel you're calling him a liar if you say that. So once Paulrainbow has spoken, there is no space for further contribution to a thread

 

[Refueler]

The deal comes down to Android vs IOS ....

In the Drone hobby - this matter of Android WITH GPS vs the IOS (iPad) with / without has driven people nuts for years .... and it basically comes down to (as others already posted) :

Android has GPS as normal. Whether it has All systems such as Glonass, Indian, Chinese as well as the USA GPS is down to branding,
IOS (iPad) only has GPS with a Sim version - the WiFi only do not. To have GPS with a WiFi only version requires a GPS unit to be externally connected.

Someone has mentioned iGPS ..... or aGPS some term it .... this is Cell Tower Augmented GPS and is to be honest - not the great tool its cracked up to be.

Samsung has decided to try and be the Apple of the Android world ... they produce a good product - but like most Brand Names - there are much better competing products out there .... I have posted often about MediaTech - sold by Banggood .... far more powerful, most have twin SIM, better screens, GPS ... WiFi ... and half or less the price. My last was 10" which included nice leatherette folding cover / stand with detachable keyboard .... twin sim, GPS / GLONASS, price ? 150 quid. I cannot link you to it as its been superceded and best is to visit BG site and check them out. BG has European as well as UK .. China warehouses.