Tablets for Navigation

justsomeguy · Dec 11, 2013

I've not tried this yet, but-
An outfit called Bad Elf makes a GPS module for Apple devices that, when coupled with a nav app, sounds pretty okay.

No internet connection needed. Lots more in the archives, too.

inarathree · Dec 11, 2013

I use(d) an iPad 1 that had just WiFi, and bought the BadElf GPS dongle for it. On top of that I use the Navionics app. It works great. It has a nice big screen. I put mine on a cabin wall in my H22 and can see it from anywhere in the cockpit through the companion way. It makes it easy to read. When the sun isn't so bright then i will pull it off the wall, and bring it to the cockpit. It also fits nicely in a gallon size freezer ziplock bag, if your afraid of it getting wet. With the screen on maximum brightness and always on, it would run for about 8 hours before the battery died.

The biggest problem with any tablet is that they are not easily viewed in direct or indirect bright sunlight.

JEB · Dec 11, 2013

The Nexus and Samsung tablets I have both include GPS chips in the wi-fi only version. I believe the Apple tablets combine the cell and GPS functions into one chip, so you don't have to activate the cell service but you need the cell version of the tablet. There are several chart apps and AIS tracking available (you do need cell service for the AIS function). JEB

Gabor15908 · Dec 11, 2013

Navionics is GREAT on a Acer 510 tablet. It cost me $49.99 to purchase it on line.
The Acer 510 has a built in GPS so you do not need to have internet or WI-FI. I am regularly crossing the Georgia Strait..no problem. It is accurate +- 10'.
I can recommend this to you.

JK_Boston_Catalina310 · Dec 11, 2013

Cell data enabled iPads 3, 4 and air and IPad Minis have GPS already (note: not the wifi versions). You don't have to have the cell data service. Just the ones that can get cell data.

I would recommend the iPad 4 or air or the newest iPad mini. They have better screens for viewing in daylight.

Also, get both the Navionics and iNavX apps. A total of 100 dollars and there are great pros to both.

There are already a lot of threads on this subject if you search.

Good luck,

Jesse

JK_Boston_Catalina310 · Dec 14, 2013

carboman said:
I have been doing some reading. A-GPS needs wifi or cell service. Looks like this Nexus 7" 2013 model has the GPS receiver, GPS-GLONASS http://www.asus.com/Tablets_Mobile/Nexus_7_2013/#specifications GLONASS http://thetecnica.com/2013/02/what-is-glonass-in-mobile-phones I'm sold on this brand unless otherwise advised. Thanks!

How is that screen in sunlight?

I would try to find a way to have the nexus and an iPad in the direct sunlight and see which is better.

quadrille38 · Dec 14, 2013

I use ipad and run inavx software. While the cellular enabled ipad does have gps without the cellular plan activated I chose to purchase a GPS receiver and run it to a digital yachts IAIS wifi device because the ipad GPS is 3 channel while the external GPS is 12 channel. Tracking more satellites improves accuracy. I also added a AIS antenna and it too feeds in to the digital yachts box and allows inavx to show location of traffic. Very happy with the performance of ipad and inavx. The responsiveness of inavx customer service any time I've had a question has been the best. They seem to work very hard at enhancements and improvements to keep their product working smoothly. Couple of things to be aware of and of course your intended use makes a huge difference. The tablets are not waterproof. It's never been a problem for me. If you do have a concern and are using in heavy conditions, a ziplock bad is a low tech solution to keep it dry. The touch screen will work through the bag. Viewing in sunlight can sometimes be an issue although I've never had it get in the way. We have dodger and Bimini to help. I purchased an ipad holder from Zarcor and it is mounted on the ped guard and works well. If sunlight manages to hit it I just tilt the bracket. There is an interesting phenomena I've experienced. I have polarized prescription sun glasses and if I have the ipad positioned vertically the screen is black. When horizontally its fine. First time it happened I freaked for a moment thinking my ipad had failed. Then it dawned on me that the polarization on my glasses was lining up with the polarization on the ipad making the screen look black. Something I read about and started using last summer was the ability to pull the grib files down through Weathertrack app and overlay them on them the inavx Navionics charts. Allows you to see the wind speed and direction over time right on your charts. Really helps trip planning, avoiding bad weather and all in all making the trips less weather stressful. I do have the cellular plan active on my ipad as it allows for accessing weather service apps in areas where wifi isn't available. Its a mixed blessing I guess. We manage to get cellular service even when we are out in the middle of Lake Michigan 30 miles from shore. Good news is I can still get weather updates. Bad news is work can still call me on the phone.

Counting Stars · Dec 19, 2013

I have Samsung tablet II stole it from my son

it works great with Navionics 9 dollars I think I paid for the app... Sail all around Tampa bay works great. I put it in one of those waterproof bags. I have a monster wireless Bluetooth speaker and jam out to music. Great thing about the samsung tablets they have longest battery life. One last thing I purchased a cover with built in wireless keyboard so I can type and scroll to use it like a mini notebook!

203 · Dec 19, 2013

Which Bluetooth speaker??

Counting Stars · Dec 19, 2013

This is my navigation sound system get up!! The monster speaker has incredible sound. Has built in microphone so you can answer your calls hands free and it turn the music down. Can hard wire it to your tv if you wanna watch movies on your laptop and large tv the speakers solve the speaker dilemma... Overall very happy with this set up. Cost breakdown below

Monster speaker 75.00 Amazon
Samsung tablet II wifi version free stole from son

Waterproof bag 8.00 Ebay
Wireless keyboard for tablet 23.00

All I can say is the 1000 dollar high end gps/radar units days are numbered with the advent of tablets...anyone remember the beeper

203 · Dec 19, 2013

Thanks ! I am going to look into the speaker. I use a droid phone app for navigation and general sailing. My 'racing class' ( Highlander ) won't let us use electronics for performance improvements, but there are sure some nice apps out there for both Iphone and Droid devices that will at least equal if not surpass the 'dedicated' electronics packages IMO.

So I am in complete agreement, the makers of these devices either need to make them way way better, or plan on getting over-run with cheap and very effective competition.

sesmith · Jan 2, 2014

carboman said:
got to use the new tablet this weekend. works great.. could see it well enough in direct sun light while wearing polarized sunglasses. definitely need the water proof bag.

Nexus 7" 2013 model w/32gb ram and true GPS receiver. also will pick up Glonass Russian GPS satellites. $255.00 at Walmart. $239.00 + tax. free shipping to local store.

Navionics USA app for Android OS, $9.99. i heard the HD version was a waste of money.

Enjoy.

yes, you do not need the HD version for the nexus 7. I just upgraded from an Archos 7 to a Nexus 7, and Navionics seems to work fine on the Nexus. On the Archos, it was a bit of a pain and buggy, as I had to use a separate blue-tooth gps on the Archos. On the Nexus, it's built in and works seamlessly.

Another app to check out for the Nexus is "Navigator". It's not boating related, but it is a gps app for driving that has routing and step by step voice directions. Works great. I downloaded all US and Canadian maps to the device (uses about 2 gb of storage) so the gps app works off line. No need for a data connection.

Counting Stars · Jan 2, 2014

Lots of Nexus fans.. Did I mention samsung tablets have great battery life!! Also, I turn my tablet off when I get my bearing, forces me to study the approaches gaining greater awareness!

Maine Sail · Jan 2, 2014

carboman said:
I have been doing some reading. A-GPS needs wifi or cell service.
!

I have an iPad air 3G and can assure you that it does not need wifi or a cell service plan for the GPS to work... I regularly use mine with wifi turned off and I don't have a cell plan....

That said the daylight vis of these devices is pretty pathetic compared to a true plotter... It is a nice "toy" but I do not and will not count on mine for actual navigational purposes.. As a back up it is great, also for planning purposes..

One app I have really grown to like is iSailor...

Kestle · Jan 2, 2014

Yes, I use iSailor a lot also.

Jeff

Counting Stars · Jan 3, 2014

Because tablets are less accurate then using paper charts!! Thus the reason NOAA no longer produces paper charts and you have to print them off .. Truth is the tablets are spot on as long as the GPS hasn't been tampered with by the government... At times of War you will loose your GPS accuracy as guidance systems depend on it. Furthermore, if your a true navigator like the training I received in the Coast Guard as a QM, your suppose to use every tool available to navigate... Dead Reckoning, radar, GPS, RDF, fixes, pubs, charts. That all said nothing compares to the use of GPS.... Can shoot some sun lines to back you up... How many of these are you using???

Fred · Jan 7, 2014

I use IPAD and a "DUAL GPS" Bluetooth GPS receiver. This receiver is used by many small aircraft pilots, rechargeable and is less than $100. I use the Navionics HD app. This setup works very well for me. The only issue is sunlight readability in direct sun.

Tablets for Navigation

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