Old quandary about tablet GPS

Sailm8 · Aug 18, 2015

ipad has GPS and if within cell coverage improved location. You do not need a cell plan to take advantage of cell triangulation. I use Navionics but there are other software packages.

PS I have crappie eyes and can see the ipad in sunlight and you can blow up the chart if necessary

Davidasailor26 · Aug 18, 2015

My understanding is that most tablets that have a cellular capability will have gps builtin. You don't actually need a cell plan or coverage for the gps to work, it's just built into the cell chipset. The Samsung rep you chatted with may have been confused or miscommunicated the need for a cellular chipset rather than cell coverage. You can also get Bluetooth gps adapters that tablets can connect to, although I've heard differing stories on their reliability.

Padrone · Aug 18, 2015

I have an I Pad Air, 32GB with Wi-Fi and Cellular service capable, do not pay for the service but it means that it is equipped with GPS, I have Navionics HD loaded and have recently completed a 300 Nm trip throughout which it it worked flawlessly.
Always showing the correct position in addition to having much more information available.

John M

Maine Sail · Aug 18, 2015

Any cellular capable iPad has a built in GPS chip.

My iPad air works hundreds of miles from cell towers, wifi or any other whiz bang "assisted stuff" because it has an actual GPS chip in it.

I do not and have and have never had a cellular plan for my iPad. You must however buy a cellular version of the iPad, not the regular version, if you want the GPS internal to the iPad.

I run Garmin Mobile, Navionics and iSailor all with wifi, cellular and Bluetooth turned OFF (saves battery)....

Disclaimer: I do not and will not use my iToy as a primary electronic aid to navigation, it is used as a tertiary aid at best.

Brian D · Aug 18, 2015

My Samsung Galaxy Tablet 3 10.1" has no cell capabilities what so ever, and it has GPS. I do not believe modern tablets do not have GPS. No need for cell plans. AGPS is fine if you have cell coverage, but if not, don't worry about it.

I used my SGT3 to go to Seattle and the GPS and maps worked fine without cell capabilities.

Someone at Samsung lied to you.

David in Sandusky · Aug 18, 2015

iPad has GPS

Maine Sail got he details right.

heritage · Aug 18, 2015

I have an older Motorola Droid smartphone that no longer has a cell connection. I use it on the boat for backup navigation using Mx Mariner and My Anchor Watch apps. Fits nicely in my pocket.

Delezynski · Aug 18, 2015

I have an older Asus 10 inch tablet. No cell system of any type. It has a built in GPS chip and I run a small patch program called "Geolocation" that allows programs to read the location. I put OpenCPN on and it works GREAT at sea.

Greg

Roadking Larry · Aug 18, 2015

I've got a Samsung Tab-S 10.5 that is Wi-Fi only and runs Navionics Boating with the Wi-Fi turned off just fine.

MrBill_FLL · Aug 18, 2015

I have a non cell ipad and have been thinking about getting the bad elf add on

http://bad-elf.com/collections/plug-in-gps

but in the end, will probably just get a newer ipad with cell and not turn it on...

Boomer54 · Aug 18, 2015

MrBill_FLL said:
I have a non cell ipad and have been thinking about getting the bad elf add on http://bad-elf.com/collections/plug-in-gps but in the end, will probably just get a newer ipad with cell and not turn it on...

I use the bad elf pro on my non-cellular iPad. Works quite well. I use it on Lake Michigan and in the BVI, secondary to charts and chart plotter I might add.

Joe · Aug 19, 2015

jmkinsfbay said:
Have spent many hours online trying to figure out if I can buy a tablet with a dedicated GPS app or chip. Just got off Chat with Samsung - they have no tablet with independent GPS capability; that is, one needs a carrier signal or WiFi. There is so much b-s online, and so many wrong "answers".
.

That is totally NOT true. All Samsung Tab S have gps chips.

I have a Samsung Tab S 10.5 wifi only. it runs ALL my sailing apps in stand alone mode. You only need the wifi connection to update stuff... I have Navionics that I purchased.... not the free one... and the charts are on the tablet. If I go out side my downloaded area, the east coast, for example.. I would need a wifi connection to update the map inventory but there is not charge for the extra regions.

Besides Navionics USA, other stand alone apps I run are: SeaRacer(a compass app that uses gps info) Boat Beacon (an AIS app that uses gps/maps) and a couple of other tactics apps...

Here's the specs page for Samsung Tab S... Oh and the display is pretty bright also... you can see it in everything but very bright, direct sunlight.

http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxytabs/specs.html

Finally Free · Aug 19, 2015

I have the Samsung Tab A 8 inch and the wife has the Samsung Pro 12 inch. Both have standalone GPS chips that require no wifi or cellular signal. Most of the newer Samsung tablets have GPS but not all. So you will need to research the model you are looking at. I actually had to educate the sales kids at BestBuy as the didn't know the products the we're selling.

(Edited to correct autocorrect changes)

Capt jgw · Aug 19, 2015

My Samsung Galaxy Tab has GPS, I was running Open CPN on it till it got wet and died. That's the main problem with tablets and phones on boats, they're not waterproof. I replaced it with a Dragon Touch 7" tablet from Amazon for $60. Runs Open CPN and all my other apps just as well as the Samsung at less than half the price. No cell service, but I have my phone for that.
Dragon Touch had a 10" model too.

MrBill_FLL · Aug 19, 2015

lifeproof (brand) makes a waterproof case for ipads. Ive seen video of them being used underwater.. (around $100).

ymmv.

Brian D · Aug 19, 2015

While on board, my tablet goes into a 1 gallon ziplock bag.

CloudDiver · Aug 19, 2015

I know there has been several threads about tablets and 'Ap' based chart plotters... I think normally many forum members would point out that so much has already been written that research should be done prior to new threads, BUT, the software and the hardware in this case are upgraded so frequently I think that its a good thing we see a new thread about it pretty much every 4 to 6 weeks, lol! I'm always interested in what the latest is and the direct feedback from those of you actually using it, very helpful!

p.s. I still the very first gen iPad, pretty much a useless brick now. It never caught on as something I could use for work so it was pretty much just a 'toy'. I'd like to get a new one at some point, but since I just started Grad School and my MacBook Pro is a 2009 model I think my first upgrade will be the new MacBook Air 11 inch.

Capt jgw · Aug 19, 2015

Mine has its mishap between the dock and boat. The new one goes into its zip lock before leaving the house.

Roadking Larry · Aug 19, 2015

Capt jgw said:
My Samsung Galaxy Tab has GPS, I was running Open CPN on it till it got wet and died. That's the main problem with tablets and phones on boats, they're not waterproof. I replaced it with a Dragon Touch 7" tablet from Amazon for $60. Runs Open CPN and all my other apps just as well as the Samsung at less than half the price. No cell service, but I have my phone for that.
Dragon Touch had a 10" model too.

I went with the Samsung Galaxy Active phone a few years ago and I'm a firm believer in them.

My S4 Active got splashed multiple times and once went in the drink while clipped to my pocket with no ill effects. I'm now running the S6 Active and with it's larger battery is good for an all day trip. My non-scientific battery test was 8 hours of use running Pandora, Navionics, a stand alone GPS speedometer, taking numerous pictures and making several calls. After that I still had over 50% battery life showing on the phone.

If they can do it with a phone they can do it with a tablet and I would buy one in a heartbeat.