iPad with Navionics and databuoy apps
Having been given an iPad 3G (the one with built-in cellular data modem), I was amazed to find a Navionics "app" for it for $25 that contained all the database for the East coast - just like my Raymarine C80.
With the iPad's 14in display that is as readable in bright light, and an integrated GPS receiver that locks-on to satellites much faster than the Raymarine GPS-125, the onlly thing the C80 gives me is the ability to overlay my RADAR and wind data on the chart.
With a cheap app ($5, I believe) for NOAA databuoy and tide model data recovery by Internet, I have a powerful set-up for cost-of-iPad-3G plus $30.
While I find the Navionics vector charts inferior for planning to NOAA raster chart software (like my Maptech Offshore Navigator), the need to keep the laptop below and out of the sunlight makes Navionics the best for piloting.
For anyone with an iPad, I strongly recommend trying the $25 Navionics app before spending more on just about anything short of an integrated networked chartplotter + RADAR + instruments system (for over 100 times more $).
Fair winds,
Al
Having been given an iPad 3G (the one with built-in cellular data modem), I was amazed to find a Navionics "app" for it for $25 that contained all the database for the East coast - just like my Raymarine C80.
With the iPad's 14in display that is as readable in bright light, and an integrated GPS receiver that locks-on to satellites much faster than the Raymarine GPS-125, the onlly thing the C80 gives me is the ability to overlay my RADAR and wind data on the chart.
With a cheap app ($5, I believe) for NOAA databuoy and tide model data recovery by Internet, I have a powerful set-up for cost-of-iPad-3G plus $30.
While I find the Navionics vector charts inferior for planning to NOAA raster chart software (like my Maptech Offshore Navigator), the need to keep the laptop below and out of the sunlight makes Navionics the best for piloting.
For anyone with an iPad, I strongly recommend trying the $25 Navionics app before spending more on just about anything short of an integrated networked chartplotter + RADAR + instruments system (for over 100 times more $).
Fair winds,
Al