Waze on a tablet

[shmu26]

I want to buy a cheap Android tablet, mainly to use for Waze.
I should get a tablet with built-in GPS, right?
Any other specs I should look out for?

As for Waze itself, there is a free Android app for tablets, right?
Is it good?
Do I have to pay any monthly fees to anyone for anything, or can I use Waze completely for free?
Are the ads tolerable? Can you pay a few $$ to get Waze ad-free?

Anything else I should know, but didn't ask?
Thanks...

 

[Snipergod87]

Do you have a wifi or cell link for the tablet to get maps and traffic data as you travel?

 

[shmu26]

I am assuming that I will not have an active wifi connection when driving.
To get a cell connection, correct me if I am wrong, but I will need a SIM card and/or cell capability, and that makes the tablet expensive.
But I read that Waze works if you have built-in GPS (or if you use a USB-connected GPS gizmo).

 

[Snipergod87]

You can use Waze in offline mode, you will not get traffic info, changes in route guidance due to accident or other stuff. You need to use a WiFi link to download maps in Offline mode for the areas you are traveling in. This would be basically turning it into a Garmin or TomTom (except some models of those can get traffic info over certain RF frequencies), you would lose out of the features of Waze that people use it for.

https://mashtips.com/get-google-map-and-waze-offline/

 

[shmu26]

Thanks for setting me straight. I didn't know that.

So what is the best solution for me, if I want real-time traffic info?
I don't currently have a smartphone, I don't really need one, and the larger screen of a tablet has an advantage for Waze.

 

[mjslakeridge]

I don't know about Waze, but I use Google Maps for navigation on my phone (android). I download the map I want while at home and save it. Then when I drive around, I pull up the offline map before I start and the gps in my phone pinpoints where I am on the map as I drive. Same process on my wife's tablet (android also). I prefer this to my car's built in navigation system, which I never quite figured out how to select a route.

 

[Snipergod87]

Since you dont have a smart phone or a dataplan for tablets I would look into a stand alone GPS only unit that can receive updates on traffic information.
I dont know much about stand alone GPS units, but I did some basic research and it seems like some of them actually link to a smart phone for live traffic which would not work for you.

 

[ryan.white08]

I want to buy a cheap Android tablet, mainly to use for Waze.
I should get a tablet with built-in GPS, right?
Any other specs I should look out for?

As for Waze itself, there is a free Android app for tablets, right?
Is it good?
Do I have to pay any monthly fees to anyone for anything, or can I use Waze completely for free?
Are the ads tolerable? Can you pay a few $$ to get Waze ad-free?

Anything else I should know, but didn't ask?
Thanks...

 

[ryan.white08]

If you really only are wanting to use the tablet for Waze why not just use your cellular device? If you do decide to go with the tablet however, and it does have built-in GPS then you technically wouldn't need the Waze application to begin with. Waze is a free application and if that is what you prefer to use go for it, I have used it in the past and it is good for busy areas because it shows you traffic reports and things of that nature. As for the adds I am not too sure on that one, that might be something else to consider looking up if need be.