EvanR
EvanR Dork
9/4/14 10:58 p.m.

As I've posted before, my Grassroots(tm) OBD-II solution is an old, deactivated cell phone, combined with a cheap OBD-II -> Bluetooth adapter, and using the Torque app.

Well, that old phone has started getting quite flaky, so it's time for an upgrade. I'm considering an upgrade to a 7" tablet, which would allow a ton more room for readouts.

Thing is, this will be a monotasker. I'm betting the Torque app doesn't require a lot of processor "oomph", nor video "oomph". So I think a super-low-end tablet will be fine.

I'm having trouble finding anything at the low end with Bluetooth. Ideally, I'd like to be under $75, but I'm not finding anything under $100 with BT.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'll buy new or refurb, but I'd like to stay away from unknown/used gear.

Thanks!

novaderrik
novaderrik PowerDork
9/5/14 3:51 a.m.

look in the toy section of your favorite big box store... they have some small droid based tablets that have bluetooth capability for right around $100.. and they come with a cool soft case to make it not break when dropped... just get one that says it's google play compatible and you should be golden once you figure out how to get rid of all the cartoony kid crap...

mazdeuce
mazdeuce UberDork
9/5/14 7:07 a.m.

Look on amazon. My son has an Asus tablet that he paid $98 for a year ago and has been happily playing games on since. The last I checked, equivalent tablets were down to about $70.
As an alternative, I just bought a phone from Virgin Mobile for $50. It has all the processor power in the world for torque, has a camera, plus you could use it as phone in an emergency!

klb67
klb67 Reader
9/5/14 9:38 a.m.

I just got a Verizon tablet for $100 with a $100 rebate = free - I just had to add it to our plan for $5 or $10/month. It does have Bluetooth, but I haven't used it.

N Sperlo
N Sperlo MegaDork
9/5/14 10:09 a.m.

Asus should be fine. Get a new one. Maybe eBay one.

singleslammer
singleslammer SuperDork
9/5/14 10:29 a.m.

I got my wife a refurbed Nook Color + (whatever the lastest gen one is) for like 70 on deal a day type website. If there are people running this with Torque, that is my suggestion. Works great.

stanger_missle
stanger_missle HalfDork
9/5/14 10:50 a.m.

Maybe a last-gen Galaxy Tab? Like this?

I'd like to maybe step up to something bigger myself than my old Droid X but I really don't have room.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim UltimaDork
9/5/14 11:07 a.m.

IIRC that's a one past the last gen Galaxy Tab. They're up to number 4 now.

stanger_missle
stanger_missle HalfDork
9/5/14 11:14 a.m.

Shows you how up on tablets I am haha. I have an Asus Transformer Prime, which by todays standards, is a fancy stone tablet

Mike
Mike HalfDork
9/6/14 7:13 a.m.

Vizio 8'' Android Wi-Fi Tablet https://www.dailysteals.com/icemonkey/./#deals/29074

How about $69? The specs don't mention the bluetooth, but it's in the narrative.

Fueled by Caffeine
Fueled by Caffeine MegaDork
9/6/14 9:15 a.m.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_0?me=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&rh=k%3Aandroid+tablet+bluetooth%2Cn%3A1267878011%2Cn%3A3545095011%2Cn%3A3443334011&bbn=1267878011&sort=price-asc-rank&keywords=android+tablet+bluetooth&ie=UTF8&qid=1410012845

Search amazon warehouse deals. Numerous ones for $45-$50.

Grizz
Grizz UltraDork
9/6/14 9:44 a.m.

My mom got one off Amazon for 60 bucks or so, no brand name or anything, just a Mobile Internet Device. It worked well until a cat decided it was in the way.

Plus, I know with Verizon you have to get a data plan or pay an upgrade fee if you get a tablet from them.

donalson
donalson PowerDork
9/6/14 11:47 a.m.

this came though my email earlier today... $20 after rebate...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=9186669&sku=WZP-102512445M&SRCCODE=WEBBP2112&cm_lm=mr2donalson@gmail.com&cm_mmc=email--Retro--WEBBP2112-_-tigeremail2112&utm_source=EML&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=WEBBP2112

singleslammer
singleslammer SuperDork
9/10/14 8:29 a.m.

This popped up today Galaxy Tab 3 8.0"

$139

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1M81Y58903&nm_mc=EMC-GD091014&cm_mmc=EMC-GD091014--index--Item-_-9SIA1M81Y58903

turboswede
turboswede UltimaDork
9/10/14 8:30 a.m.

Don't forget to check out Woot.com every once in a while for refurb deals on tablets.

bmw88rider
bmw88rider HalfDork
9/10/14 9:33 a.m.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/dell-venue-8/pd?oc=ftcwv801b

These run a little bit more but this is what I have and it works great. It's held up for almost a year no issues and I use it in the garage all of the time.

Ashyukun
Ashyukun Dork
9/10/14 9:43 a.m.

Woot! as turboswede mentioned almost always has refurb tablets up. Looks like the Nexus 7 tablets they have now are the cheapest with bluetooth at about $110- http://computers.woot.com/offers/google-nexus-7-16gb-tablet-13?ref=cnt_wp_3_13

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
nlp88yrZ5C5D96zlo1njhqf8v9qRycKGc0Yn0RwwwyegFcilwtOWdidN9JPKEpIo