Old quandary about tablet GPS

[Brian S]

If you have a non-GPS tablet, but it does have Bluetooth, you can always get a Bad Elf of Dual Bluetooth GPS "puck" to connect to it.

As far as relying on ziplock baggies for water protection? It's been my experience that all they are good for is keeping the water IN them after they ruin your stuff that you wanted to keep dry. If your tablet means anything to you, get a Lifeproof case. I've had guys out on kayak trips and classes show up with a battered ziplock sandwich bag. Good thing they didn't capsize... Maybe I'd use a double zip freezer bag, but only for splash protection.

Or maybe an aLoksak bag. http://www.loksak.com/products/aloksak

 

[jmkinsfbay]

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

Many thanks. I knew about iPad, just didn't want to pay that much, since I've been looking at $100 tablets. Will end up using car GPS just to be able to get position in an emergency, if my onboard GPS fails.

 

[jmkinsfbay]

If you have a non-GPS tablet, but it does have Bluetooth, you can always get a Bad Elf of Dual Bluetooth GPS "puck" to connect to it.

As far as relying on ziplock baggies for water protection? It's been my experience that all they are good for is keeping the water IN them after they ruin your stuff that you wanted to keep dry. If your tablet means anything to you, get a Lifeproof case. I've had guys out on kayak trips and classes show up with a battered ziplock sandwich bag. Good thing they didn't capsize... Maybe I'd use a double zip freezer bag, but only for splash protection.

Or maybe an aLoksak bag. http://www.loksak.com/products/aloksak

I tried the puck, too light and "messy" to use while underway. Laptop likewise with the lid and keyboard portion open - not well balanced and definitely can't use it with one hand.

 

[Bob S]

I use an older Ipad that has bluetooth with a remote GPS.
http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Electron...=UTF8&qid=1440175025&sr=8-4&keywords=gps+puck

It works great but it is used as a backup for my Raymarine C70 at the helm. I use the tablet exclusively below deck. The Navionics HD app is great for planning out our trips and studying the areas we want to visit.

I compared the Bad Elf to the Dual and chose the dual. i can leave it on the boat and I've been happy with it's battery life. I also like the it's app for signal and location info:

 

[jmkinsfbay]

Thanks for the iPad info, Bob.

 

[Joe]

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.

Exactly... and if you have multiple devices.. a tablet and smartphone, for instance... you can purchase the good quality apps like Navionics just once.. it's like $14 or so.. and install it on all of them, even if for upgraded or replacement units as long as you use the same account.

 

[JTulls]

Many thanks. I knew about iPad, just didn't want to pay that much, since I've been looking at $100 tablets. Will end up using car GPS just to be able to get position in an emergency, if my onboard GPS fails.

Have you looked at used ipads that have the GPS chip? I'm not really sure how expensive a used one will run you, but I've found that apps generally come out with the latest and greatest on the iOS platform before android and windows. A few people have mentioned Navionics and I agree they make a great app for charts and routing (there's a free version of it and an upgraded version that give more map layers, community edits, and routing features). And as far as waterproofing the tablet, I think the Lifeproof cases are the way to go -- not much added bulk and you can completely submerge them.

 

[jmkinsfbay]

Thanks

Have you looked at used ipads that have the GPS chip? I'm not really sure how expensive a used one will run you, but I've found that apps generally come out with the latest and greatest on the iOS platform before android and windows. A few people have mentioned Navionics and I agree they make a great app for charts and routing (there's a free version of it and an upgraded version that give more map layers, community edits, and routing features). And as far as waterproofing the tablet, I think the Lifeproof cases are the way to go -- not much added bulk and you can completely submerge them.

Will look into that some more. Looked on Craigslist and eBay and wasn't finding any iPads with GPS. Yours is the best comment so far.

 

[Doc_holiday]

It may not list as with "GPS". If it has the AT&T or Verizon or Sprint chip, it has the GPS in it.

Just be careful with Craigslist and electronics. It's full of stolen stuff. I had an iPod stolen a few years ago but I had a unique case on it and it was also etched. Two days later, I found it on Craigslist and the kid used his real email. My daughter recognized the name and told me he was trouble. I was going to meet him "to buy" and just take it but opted to call the cops. Good thing. The cop recognized the kid and knew him. He went to their house, met with the kid and the dad and found my iPod along with a host of other electronics he was fencing.

When I was asked if I was going to press charges, I asked if I could talk to the kid's dad and I was assured he would be well punished. I didn't want to plague a kid with a felony so I agreed to drop the charges and let "dad" handle it. That felony would have prevented him from getting student loans etc.

My son bought an iPod on Craigslist and said when he met the guy, the guy told him he "found it". I wasn't very comfortable with that either.

There are some old iPhone 4s models out there. They are small but also have that ability. As a back up one could use one of those for charts and music too.

 

[sesmith]

Google (asus) Nexus 7 here. I have the one without cell capability but it has gps (and wireless). Works great and has a really nice screen. Navionics on it. Works great for a backup and trip planning.

 

[jmkinsfbay]

It may not list as with "GPS". If it has the AT&T or Verizon or Sprint chip, it has the GPS in it.

Just be careful with Craigslist and electronics. It's full of stolen stuff. I had an iPod stolen a few years ago but I had a unique case on it and it was also etched. Two days later, I found it on Craigslist and the kid used his real email. My daughter recognized the name and told me he was trouble. I was going to meet him "to buy" and just take it but opted to call the cops. Good thing. The cop recognized the kid and knew him. He went to their house, met with the kid and the dad and found my iPod along with a host of other electronics he was fencing.

When I was asked if I was going to press charges, I asked if I could talk to the kid's dad and I was assured he would be well punished. I didn't want to plague a kid with a felony so I agreed to drop the charges and let "dad" handle it. That felony would have prevented him from getting student loans etc.

My son bought an iPod on Craigslist and said when he met the guy, the guy told him he "found it". I wasn't very comfortable with that either.

There are some old iPhone 4s models out there. They are small but also have that ability. As a back up one could use one of those for charts and music too.

Thank you.

 

[jmkinsfbay]

Google (asus) Nexus 7 here. I have the one without cell capability but it has gps (and wireless). Works great and has a really nice screen. Navionics on it. Works great for a backup and trip planning.

Thank you.