Chartplotter vs iPad

[fred1diver]

Hey everyone, just looking for a chartplotter, I already have an iPad and considering using that but I’ve been told it is not bright enough to use in sunlight, I found a used standard horizon cp 180 and a cp 300i for decent prices, what would you guys and gals recommend

 

[dlochner]

Where do you plan to sail?

If you get an iPad, you'll want to have a waterproof case (Targus makes a nice one). The screen is covered by a non-glare surface, so visibility is better. The down side is leaving an iPad in a case in the sun will cause it to over heat and shut down to prevent damage.

If you are going to stick to sailing around Ottawa or the Thousand Islands, I don't see a real need for a chart plotter. I sailed in the 1000 islands for 30 years with just a compass and later a compass and handheld GPS. The Richardson's Chart book is worth having.

If you opt for the iPad be sure to get a cell phone capable iPad. The GPS chip is integral to the cell chip, the WiFi only models don't have gps, they rely on wifi data. Doesn't work well.

 

[jssailem]

Fred
It really is a question about how complex do you want to make your boat, and how challenging are the waters you plan to sail?

In the waters within 20 miles of my marina, the complexity is low. I have covered the waters and have situational awareness of the hazards. I do not look at the chart plotter I look at the waves and the water. No need for a GPS.

When I venture out beyond the 50 mile zone then I start to include a chart plotter into the picture. This is more a function of maintaining weather awareness and arrival times at choke points like passages with strong tidal currents.

Perhaps all you need is a compass, your iPad and a handheld GPS to get to know the local waters.

 

[Tricia]

If you get an iPad without a GPS chip, you can use a bluetooth enabled GPS like a BadElf to get the GPS signal on the iPad. That's what I do and it works well.

 

[capta]

I've never used a tablet as a chartplotter and I wonder how accessible the controls are in the waterproof cases.
I like having a chartplotter mounted right above the compass at the helm where I can control all the functions. I have radar on it if I wish, I can change course and plot a new destination, right there in the middle of a rain squall, and I have another, smaller unit networked to it in my cabin aft, as a tattletale so I can yell at the helmsperson if they are more than a foot off track.

 

[tfox2069]

I've never used a tablet as a chartplotter and I wonder how accessible the controls are in the waterproof cases.
I like having a chartplotter mounted right above the compass at the helm where I can control all the functions. I have radar on it if I wish, I can change course and plot a new destination, right there in the middle of a rain squall, and I have another, smaller unit networked to it in my cabin aft, as a tattletale so I can yell at the helmsperson if they are more than a foot off track.

The control is great on an iPad, and faster than a Chartplotter on a modern iPad, at least in my experience. A race boat i've crewed on from Bermuda to NY twice, and up and down the east coast, doesn't have a chartplotter in the cockpit - the owner prefers an iPad (he has everything at his nav station below). I would just point out that you almost certainly won't be able to overlay radar on your iPad, though you can just about everything else IF you have everything available on an NMEA 2000 network and drop in a wi fi gateway into the network. Then some of the more capable iPad applications will pick up the input from instruments in the network such as wind speed and and direction, AIS, etc from the network. Here's one I'm using; others may have experience with different ones:

NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi Gateway YDWG-02

See NMEA 2000 network data on any phone, tablet or PC via Wi-Fi. The YDWG-02 supports Raymarine, Garmin, Simrad & Navionics. $249, ships from the US.

yachtdevicesus.com

 

[capta]

The control is great on an iPad, and faster than a Chartplotter on a modern iPad, at least in my experience.

I was talking about in the waterproof case, mounted and plugged into 12 volts at the helm.

 

[tfox2069]

I was talking about in the waterproof case, mounted and plugged into 12 volts at the helm.

Yes, an iPad plugged into 12 volts at the helm and inside a waterproof case responds faster than a dedicated chartplotter at the helm when scrolling, tapping, etc. There can be issues where water on the screen may muck up the ability to manipulate the software by scrolling and tapping - but that's true on a touchscreen chartplotter too. Is that what you were asking?

 

[cb32863]

@fred1diver FYI. I have a Garmin GPSMap 441s that is not being used as I sail on a lake. DM me if you are interested.

 

[capta]

Yes, an iPad plugged into 12 volts at the helm and inside a waterproof case responds faster than a dedicated chartplotter at the helm when scrolling, tapping, etc. There can be issues where water on the screen may muck up the ability to manipulate the software by scrolling and tapping - but that's true on a touchscreen chartplotter too. Is that what you were asking?

I don't know. Honestly, I have no interest in a touch screen plotter or tablet, actually. Faster response isn't any part of the question. Can a touch screen be accessed while the unit is in a waterproof case is my question.

 

[tfox2069]

I don't know. Honestly, I have no interest in a touch screen plotter or tablet, actually. Faster response isn't any part of the question. Can a touch screen be accessed while the unit is in a waterproof case is my question.

Yes

 

[rgranger]

I keep a hand-held GPS on board just in case... haven't used it in years. I have Navonics on my iPhone and iPhones are nearly water proof and bright enough. I've been told by some on this forum that with a cell phone boosting antenna they can go 7 miles off shore and still get good reception. I've only tested mine as far out as two but still had good signal.

 

[Tim Mills]

I have both. An Raymarine Axiom+ display and an iPad pro with cell coverage and GPS with the Navionics app (like $25). Its awesome. I use it as a spare and the iPad can also connect to the wifi signal from the Raymarine display and mirror the display with the Raymarine app. So I can carry the iPad around and below and control the chart plotter. I have a bimini and never even thought that the iPad brightness was an issue. In many ways the iPad is much faster and easier to use and load map updates plus you can pull up the weather and predict wind as well. The iPad is very useful and much less $$. I have a clamp mount so I can clip it onto the helm or the chart table below. You can also download the maps and use them off-line when out of cell range.

 

[dlochner]

I don't know. Honestly, I have no interest in a touch screen plotter or tablet, actually. Faster response isn't any part of the question. Can a touch screen be accessed while the unit is in a waterproof case is my question.

Yes, my iPad lives in its waterproof case even when it is home. I've never had any significant difficulties using it in the case.

 

[dlochner]

I keep a hand-held GPS on board just in case... haven't used it in years. I have Navonics on my iPhone and iPhones are nearly water proof and bright enough. I've been told by some on this forum that with a cell phone boosting antenna they can go 7 miles off shore and still get good reception. I've only tested mine as far out as two but still had good signal.

Depends on where you are. We can usually get a signal out about 10-12 miles, although it weak. Under 10 miles the service is pretty good.

 

[Lazy1]

I got one of these to shade my ipad mini, It does keep it from overheating, just make sure it has the rubber-like straps that can be stretched over a waterproof case.

Amazon.com: O'woda 7.9inches Sun Hood Monitor Sunshade Compatible with iPad Tablets for DJI Mavic Air 2/Mavic Mini/Mavic 2 Pro Zoom/Mavic Pro/Mavic Air/Spark/Phantom 3/4 Inspire Remote Controller(L168)

Amazon.com: O'woda 7.9inches Sun Hood Monitor Sunshade Compatible with iPad Tablets for DJI Mavic Air 2/Mavic Mini/Mavic 2 Pro Zoom/Mavic Pro/Mavic Air/Spark/Phantom 3/4 Inspire Remote Controller(L168)

smile.amazon.com

 

[fred1diver]

Cool, so using my iPad with cellular chip will be good enough, thabks everyone for all the replies

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

We have navigated from Maine to the Caribbean using an iPad. About 15,000 nm in total using just an iPad. It's an old 4th gen in a lifeproof case. Never had an issue with visibility. As others have said, the cellular data version have the GPS chip built in. You do not need to have a data plan.

I have tested the accuracy using survey level GPS equipment and it was within 30 feet.

In major squalls you will have an issue with the touch screen being activated by the rain. Touch screen chart plotters have this same issue. I have a good friend that crashed his 44 foot catamaran into a beach because of this on his Axiom.

The biggest issue you will run into is updating other equipment. The manufacturers are making it harder to have mixed equipment. For instance the new Raymarine AI for the autopilot is awesome. But it requires firmware updates every couple of months. And you need a chart plotter to do the updates. So I now have a chart plotter at the helm. But as cruisers you are almost never behind the helm. So I have the chart plotter at the helm for navigating near things and then mirror my display onto a phone or tablet. I have the controls for the autopilot turned off on the chart plotter so it can't get changed by the rain.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

 

[rgranger]

Cool, so using my iPad with cellular chip will be good enough, thabks everyone for all the replies

And if you are paranoid, buy a used hand-held gps off of eBay and stash it.

 

[Head Sail]

I've used both up until my iPad was stolen. The iPad is designed for home use but can be used for sailing. An iPad will work but my experience is things designed for a specific use generally work better for that use than a multipurpose device. A chartplotter is exclusivley used for boating.