• Dell Venue Pro 8 (120.00 ebay)
  • Hard Case for the tablet (49.99 Dell)
  • Converter to connect Garmin to Tablet (10.00 Dell)
  • Car mount for Tablet (60.00 Ram)
  • Xmaps GPS map (Optional) (109.00)

First thing you need is a tablet that will run full Basecamp/Base station not the mobile version of basestation.  MOst tablets don't have the softwear to do this so do your research.

Windows® Requirements

  • IBM-compatible computer running Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or later
  • Microsoft® .NET framework 4.5.1; a current version of .NET will be installed if needed
  • A video card that supports OpenGL version 1.3 or later to view 3-D terrain

Mac® Requirements

  • Intel-based Mac running OS 10.8 or higher
  • 1024 MB RAM (2048 MB recommended)

 

This is what I ended up setting up

I found the Dell Venue Pro 8 to be the best deal and it runs on windows 8 - Best prices I found were on Ebay for refurbished ones.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/dell-venue-8-pro/pd

I had issues with connecting the two devices at first as your are connect a mini USB to a Micro USB - get the Dell converter and attach it to a garmin USB cable

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&sku=470-aarr

Bouncing around in the rig is tough on computers- best case I found was the

Targus SafePort Rugged Max Pro

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A7250101

For the Car mount I went with the Ram X-grip mount – not cheap but bomber

http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-HOL-UN8BU

That’s all the hardware you need

I highly recommend the Xmaps Land Ownership maps but, you don’t have to have them.

http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/

Total cost with the Xmaps, Case and Car Mount- $350.00

But you could get it done for under 200.00 easy.

 

Here is all you need to do to activate it

Update BaseCamp on the tablet and do a general update on your Garmin before utilizing BaseStation:

To use BaseStation with your Alpha/Astro

  1. Turn on the device (Alpha or Astro)
  2. On the Alpha , select Setup > System > BaseCamp BaseStation > Prompted
  3. Connect the Alpha to the Tablet
  4. Alpha will prompt you with “USB cable detected enable basestation?” select yes to enable BaseCamp BaseStation mode
  5. In BaseCamp, on your tablet wait for device to appear below the Devices heading
  6. Under the device name, Tap the BaseStation folder
  7. This will start tracking of your handheld and any dogs on our dogs list that you have collars turned on for.

*Tablets meeting the system requirements for BaseCamp can be used to run BaseStation mode. Tablets that do not meet these system requirements cannot be used. Windows RT is unsupported.

For you guys that guide and outfit this would be great for clients.  For me I hunt in wolf country and anything that gets my fat but to the tree faster is a good thing.

I'm not a computer guy and I'm not looking to make any money off this gig - I'll try and answer your questions but, I'm just a hound guy like you.

Matt