What device to use with the InReach?

Now that I have an InReach, I'd like to have a device to communicate
with it for text messages. My phone is dumb and won't do it, so I'm
considering an iPod Touch or similar device that would also let me have
a sectional maps and airports app, run a soaring app (like XCSoar) to
back up my panel mounted computer, and check the weather via wifi at the
airport.

My main concern is visibility in the cockpit - what's be best choice
among iPod Touch a similar Android-based devices?

The 7" tablets are also attractive for those uses, but again I don't
know if their sunlight visibility is adequate or if the larger size is
impractical in the cockpit. They'd be better outside the cockpit, I expect.

Can anyone with some experience with these devices in the cockpit give
me some suggestions?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)