I have been described as someone who does not like change. I used to say thgat I was getting long in tooth but the tooth broke off. These days I find myself being dragged into the information age. I was given a Compaq IPAC for Christmas and would like all of the techno-geeks out there to give me some ideas of how I can use it from a sailing perspective and what I'll need to make it go.
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Droop
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Rick A
If you want a proper answer,
you have to say which model. I have a 4555 which has wireless capability (Bluetooth and 802.11). My plan is to get a Bluetooth GPS unit and then I can put the GPS sensor on the deck in a protected place and get my position data anyplace on the boat. Two GPS sensors (one on the bow and the other on the stern) would give you the absolute direction (as opposed to true course) of the boat with a little programming. It will do chartplotting but I haven't uploaded any of that stuff yet. I am interested in using it with other wireless instruments for the boat but haven't looked into that yet. Someone must have some kind of seatalk to wireless converter but I do not know. It is only a matter of time. Wireless - instruments, chartplotter, radar display, video from cameras (on the mast as well as underwater). The big drawback so far is the battery life for the PDA itself. I got a 17 inch LCD monitor for Christmas so that may be the first computer thing that I really get going. I can see it a lot better than the PDA.
you have to say which model. I have a 4555 which has wireless capability (Bluetooth and 802.11). My plan is to get a Bluetooth GPS unit and then I can put the GPS sensor on the deck in a protected place and get my position data anyplace on the boat. Two GPS sensors (one on the bow and the other on the stern) would give you the absolute direction (as opposed to true course) of the boat with a little programming. It will do chartplotting but I haven't uploaded any of that stuff yet. I am interested in using it with other wireless instruments for the boat but haven't looked into that yet. Someone must have some kind of seatalk to wireless converter but I do not know. It is only a matter of time. Wireless - instruments, chartplotter, radar display, video from cameras (on the mast as well as underwater). The big drawback so far is the battery life for the PDA itself. I got a 17 inch LCD monitor for Christmas so that may be the first computer thing that I really get going. I can see it a lot better than the PDA.
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Jack Tyler
Rick, you made me laugh a bit...
...as you reminded me of last winter when a friend invited me for a walk down the dock. We were both cruising on U.S. boats, both wintering over in London, and the purpose of the walk was for him to show us walking down the dock...using his clever PDA, GPS attached, and with London map software installed. And he 'only' had about $600+ wrapped up in it. Golly. Of course, the Tube map I carry folded up in my wallet and the £5 map my wife & I carry is totally lacking in the Gee, Whiz department...but so far we haven't been too lost. My son has been using a PDA since the mid-90's when the first stable Apple PDA was intro'd. He relentlessly points out the advantages of it: all his contact info handy (when the batteries aren't dead), his calendar, the 'tickler' that reminds him of this or that. It's simply Vunderbar. Of course, each time we have this discussion I pull out the same 5"x7" spiral notebook which I use each & every day, until one fills up and is replaced by a new one. His latest PDA (his 3rd, I believe) ran him about $400; my notebook lasts about a year and cost me $1.98. I think you positioned the question perfectly, Rick. You've found yourself with a PDA, so now what do you do with it? Lordy, they can consume a lot of time (the real 'cost' of such devices) and they have numerous entertainment benefits when loaded up with the right software products. Of course, they aren't really *needed*...but that doesn't mean we don't covet them, buy them, load them up, and use them. I guess this is parable of sorts on sailing, isn't it. We just love to load up our boats with Geedunk. And most of it does interesting, helpful and entertaining things. But are these things needed? With a few exceptions, not really - altho' I'd hate to give up the GPS, our real-time wx downloads and our email capability when offshore. But often today, it seems, the sailboat is a means towards an end - entertainment, fostered by consumption - rather than the end in itself that it used to be. Gee, I started out with a funny memory and here I am, ending on a sad note... Jack
...as you reminded me of last winter when a friend invited me for a walk down the dock. We were both cruising on U.S. boats, both wintering over in London, and the purpose of the walk was for him to show us walking down the dock...using his clever PDA, GPS attached, and with London map software installed. And he 'only' had about $600+ wrapped up in it. Golly. Of course, the Tube map I carry folded up in my wallet and the £5 map my wife & I carry is totally lacking in the Gee, Whiz department...but so far we haven't been too lost. My son has been using a PDA since the mid-90's when the first stable Apple PDA was intro'd. He relentlessly points out the advantages of it: all his contact info handy (when the batteries aren't dead), his calendar, the 'tickler' that reminds him of this or that. It's simply Vunderbar. Of course, each time we have this discussion I pull out the same 5"x7" spiral notebook which I use each & every day, until one fills up and is replaced by a new one. His latest PDA (his 3rd, I believe) ran him about $400; my notebook lasts about a year and cost me $1.98. I think you positioned the question perfectly, Rick. You've found yourself with a PDA, so now what do you do with it? Lordy, they can consume a lot of time (the real 'cost' of such devices) and they have numerous entertainment benefits when loaded up with the right software products. Of course, they aren't really *needed*...but that doesn't mean we don't covet them, buy them, load them up, and use them. I guess this is parable of sorts on sailing, isn't it. We just love to load up our boats with Geedunk. And most of it does interesting, helpful and entertaining things. But are these things needed? With a few exceptions, not really - altho' I'd hate to give up the GPS, our real-time wx downloads and our email capability when offshore. But often today, it seems, the sailboat is a means towards an end - entertainment, fostered by consumption - rather than the end in itself that it used to be. Gee, I started out with a funny memory and here I am, ending on a sad note... Jack
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Paul
Fugawi
I have the HP Ipaq with Bluetooth and the iPAQ navigation system for the car that has a bluetooth GPS. I also have the Fugawi navigation software for the boat. The Fugawi navigation software for the boat and it allows you to download charts to the iPAQ PDA and then use the GPS to navigate with. I usually use the PC on my boat but when I had to help a buddy bring his boat back to the marina last summer, I brought along the iPAQ and it worked great. It was easier to read than I thought it would be.
I have the HP Ipaq with Bluetooth and the iPAQ navigation system for the car that has a bluetooth GPS. I also have the Fugawi navigation software for the boat. The Fugawi navigation software for the boat and it allows you to download charts to the iPAQ PDA and then use the GPS to navigate with. I usually use the PC on my boat but when I had to help a buddy bring his boat back to the marina last summer, I brought along the iPAQ and it worked great. It was easier to read than I thought it would be.
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Rick A
Jack...
Too many toys, too little time. Jack, in my case, the PDA will be used mostly for a work related basis but I thought maybe I could save myself a few dollars and put it to work on the boat. Still use the paper charts, but the bluetooth GPS is a pretty nice option and fairly cheap, still wondering how much the digital downloads are and if they are compatable with all PDA's or do I have to find something specific either to the operating system or the software. If nothing else, it makes for a great backup. Other uses, my wife plans to download a bunch of her receipes for the galley. With software, you can get an ingredient list with the menu planning so it helps when menu planning for a trip. It works with Excel spreadsheets so I should be able to find a number of little tools for things like calculating fuel usage, vectoring, tide calculations, or what ever. How about inventory, or keeping an ongoing list of part numbers, etc. Maybe weather data from a weather station on board or ? How about email? I do a lot of flying in small A/C in remote areas with my job and seldom lift off without my own mapcase as GPS has failed me on occasion. But the hard reality is that it really has made significant changes in that industry. While I still prefer a tiller to the wheel, I recognize I'm slow to change but if I did not accept technological changes, I'd be using a quill right now. To me it sounded like you were on the right track Jack(no GPS pun here), the boat is the end to itself, and the pleasure is from a full sail.
Too many toys, too little time. Jack, in my case, the PDA will be used mostly for a work related basis but I thought maybe I could save myself a few dollars and put it to work on the boat. Still use the paper charts, but the bluetooth GPS is a pretty nice option and fairly cheap, still wondering how much the digital downloads are and if they are compatable with all PDA's or do I have to find something specific either to the operating system or the software. If nothing else, it makes for a great backup. Other uses, my wife plans to download a bunch of her receipes for the galley. With software, you can get an ingredient list with the menu planning so it helps when menu planning for a trip. It works with Excel spreadsheets so I should be able to find a number of little tools for things like calculating fuel usage, vectoring, tide calculations, or what ever. How about inventory, or keeping an ongoing list of part numbers, etc. Maybe weather data from a weather station on board or ? How about email? I do a lot of flying in small A/C in remote areas with my job and seldom lift off without my own mapcase as GPS has failed me on occasion. But the hard reality is that it really has made significant changes in that industry. While I still prefer a tiller to the wheel, I recognize I'm slow to change but if I did not accept technological changes, I'd be using a quill right now. To me it sounded like you were on the right track Jack(no GPS pun here), the boat is the end to itself, and the pleasure is from a full sail.
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Rich
Garmin iQue
I bought a Garmin iQue 3600 which incorporates a GPS into a Palm OS PDA. I use it as a backup GPS and keep it below. It has a large screen compared to other GPSs and is very readable in sunlight. I love it. I live with my PDA daily and have found it reliable.
I bought a Garmin iQue 3600 which incorporates a GPS into a Palm OS PDA. I use it as a backup GPS and keep it below. It has a large screen compared to other GPSs and is very readable in sunlight. I love it. I live with my PDA daily and have found it reliable.
PDA Thoughts IMHO
i have owned about 5 PDA's over the years and find them indispensible on my job and for my lifestyle. i often need information or phone numbers i can store on my PDA. I also have my contacts and shopping list wherever i go. i can set calendar reminders or appointment alarms. if i am at the airport i can read 20000 leagues under the sea while i'm waiting on a flight. But, my experience is this: PDA's in general will do tons of vuderbar things but i tend to actually use very few of the features. when i bought a new GPS i bought a simple Garman GPS 72. (and eBayed my high-end handheld C-Map plotter). it gives me all the info i need to sail from point a to b and i don't have time or inclination to look-up features or instructions in a 2" thick manual. (i intend to buy another identical unit as a back-up). Theoretically this unit will interface with my notebook computer, (which btw will handle PDA duties such as recipes, maps, spreadsheets, etc, far better than a PDA will), and will also interface w/ my Raymarine autopilot....but at what cost in complexity? (read likely to fail when you need it most!) I also have the software to interface the NOAA maps on my notebook with my GPS...but will i? maybe someday if i truly have a need and run out of other things to do. If i have to spend more time and energy inputting, storing, interfacing, and retrieving data than sailing i am defeating the purpose of these devices.....simplifying life. If i were a world cruiser i might consider such a complex system for long passages....but, for day to day use they are just too much bother for me. don't get me wrong. i am all for high tech if it simplifies my life...and for many jobs a PDA does. but, i take my position from my GPS and mark it on a map. I also keep an eye on my speed. but, as one member said, for some things a notebook and paper map is pretty much foolproof. my $0.02 worth.....YMMV
i have owned about 5 PDA's over the years and find them indispensible on my job and for my lifestyle. i often need information or phone numbers i can store on my PDA. I also have my contacts and shopping list wherever i go. i can set calendar reminders or appointment alarms. if i am at the airport i can read 20000 leagues under the sea while i'm waiting on a flight. But, my experience is this: PDA's in general will do tons of vuderbar things but i tend to actually use very few of the features. when i bought a new GPS i bought a simple Garman GPS 72. (and eBayed my high-end handheld C-Map plotter). it gives me all the info i need to sail from point a to b and i don't have time or inclination to look-up features or instructions in a 2" thick manual. (i intend to buy another identical unit as a back-up). Theoretically this unit will interface with my notebook computer, (which btw will handle PDA duties such as recipes, maps, spreadsheets, etc, far better than a PDA will), and will also interface w/ my Raymarine autopilot....but at what cost in complexity? (read likely to fail when you need it most!) I also have the software to interface the NOAA maps on my notebook with my GPS...but will i? maybe someday if i truly have a need and run out of other things to do. If i have to spend more time and energy inputting, storing, interfacing, and retrieving data than sailing i am defeating the purpose of these devices.....simplifying life. If i were a world cruiser i might consider such a complex system for long passages....but, for day to day use they are just too much bother for me. don't get me wrong. i am all for high tech if it simplifies my life...and for many jobs a PDA does. but, i take my position from my GPS and mark it on a map. I also keep an eye on my speed. but, as one member said, for some things a notebook and paper map is pretty much foolproof. my $0.02 worth.....YMMV
More nautical uses
You can download (for free) a tide & current program that will perpetually predict both tides & currents, including substations worldwide, if you wish. See the link I also keep a list of boat specs & maint log. You can also put music on it & pipe it to your stereo. Not to mention use as a chartplotter!
You can download (for free) a tide & current program that will perpetually predict both tides & currents, including substations worldwide, if you wish. See the link I also keep a list of boat specs & maint log. You can also put music on it & pipe it to your stereo. Not to mention use as a chartplotter!
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