Has anyone had experience using a tablet for GPS navigation? Specifically the Nexus 7? If so, have you compared the 1st vs. 2nd generation? Is it accurate, in real time? I sure would love to see one in operation on Youtube. Thanks, Jen
Tablet navigation
- Thread starter jenquay
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We use our Galaxy Tab 2 as a backup. We downloaded the NOAA beta app last summer. Not many frills but it certainly did the job. We use it as a backup to our itty bitty Garmin. I'm not sure what the difference is from a Nexus, but we found ours bright enough but --- not spray proof.
We have a Bimini top. Would it be bright enough see it under there? We also have a Standard Horizon GX1700 which, once programed, would give us guidance to way points, and an antique Garmin GPS 12, which still works great. I would like to know what our depths are going to be below. $ is getting too tight to by a stand alone chart plotter. Heck I don't even have a smart phone. Mine's a dumb phone!
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/which-tablet-115426.html
Many discussions elsewhere on the internet and other boating forums. Google will help you out.
Many discussions elsewhere on the internet and other boating forums. Google will help you out.
Issues With All electronic Chart Reader Machines
I am a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and one of the things we do is quarterly we check all of the navigational aids. I've used all sorts on various boats from my IPhone to a chartplotter with a 12" screen. The smaller screens exacerbate the issue greatly.
The issue is you do not get as broad a picture as you do with paper charts. For example the Navionics chart for our area has a marker well north of its present location, the difference in location is not a significant issue for navigation but when just looking at the small screen it got confusing with no other references and when zooming out you loose detail.
The other issue I see is some guys particularly at night tend to drive the GPS and not watch out around them. It does not take much of an imagination to see the hazards involved with that.
That being said I believe paper charts are soon to be a thing of the past and we will only have the electronic versions to work with just know the issues and try to mitigate those risks. I would go with a tablet over any of the chart plotters except that we do not yet have an app to work the auto pilot.
I am a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and one of the things we do is quarterly we check all of the navigational aids. I've used all sorts on various boats from my IPhone to a chartplotter with a 12" screen. The smaller screens exacerbate the issue greatly.
The issue is you do not get as broad a picture as you do with paper charts. For example the Navionics chart for our area has a marker well north of its present location, the difference in location is not a significant issue for navigation but when just looking at the small screen it got confusing with no other references and when zooming out you loose detail.
The other issue I see is some guys particularly at night tend to drive the GPS and not watch out around them. It does not take much of an imagination to see the hazards involved with that.
That being said I believe paper charts are soon to be a thing of the past and we will only have the electronic versions to work with just know the issues and try to mitigate those risks. I would go with a tablet over any of the chart plotters except that we do not yet have an app to work the auto pilot.
I cannot comment specifically about a Nexus 7, as I have a Nexus 10 ...
But, as far as using a Nexus 10 (and generally, any I-Pad), my experience has been that yes, it is viewable in even a fully sunlit cockpit ( I have mine mounted on a bracket on the pedestal ).
There are at least 5 or 6 Android navigation apps ...
Navionics probable being the best.
Yes, position accuracy is good, and in general, the app works.
However, IMHO, all current Nav apps have a lot of improving to do when compared to Raymarine, Nobeltec, and other "real" chartplotter systems.
The BIG advantage to tablet/smart phone nav apps is, of course, their extremely low cost compared to traditional chartplotter programs.
In another few years, as nav apps improve, they will (again IMHO) replace
expensive traditional chartplotters.
As for now, I would suggest trying Navionics on your Nexus 7... I's only $9.95, so you really can't lose much, even if you arn't completely satisfied with it.
They are the "wave" of the future : ) .
The first couple of chapters of Calder's book on reading navigational charts, paper and electronic, contain a good deal of sobering material on the point made by Rick Webb about their accuracy and the many things that affect it.
Having used paper charts through the Bahama's, north coast Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, nearly 40 years ago, I don't think I'll ever throw away my charts. Even if electronics totally rule navigation, it's always nice once in a while to look at the big picture. You can't do that on a small screen. And thanks Buck420. That helps a lot. You're the only one who has used a Nexus that I've heard from. I appreciate your input. Hopefully there are others out there. 
I can't comment on the Nexus, as I have an iPad and iPhone, but the Navionics apps are great. I have used them for going on 3 years now, with no issues. With each generation of iPad/iPhone I have seen the accuracy of GPS go up, but its still not on par with dedicated systems., but getting damn close. I am able to navigate a 3/4 mile 50' wide channel at midnight with no issues. So its close enough for me. I still go out with paper charts. As mentioned it really is the only way to get the whole picture. But as you may know NOAA will no longer produce paper charts. Not sure if you can still download the PDF of full paper charts for free. But here is the link http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/pdfcharts/
Sorry for the drift but can someone tell me how to get a GPS fix on my 32GB iPad Air without wifi on and with no data plan activated? I have done this many times before and I know it works.. I know I am just missing something simple...
I thought I could access the internal GPS on a Verizon enabled iPad Air, like on past models, but so far it has me stumped and all Apple can tell me is that; "You need a data plan in order to use the GPS."......... I know this is not true.
A data plan does me no good when I am out of range of cell access, we're in Maine.........
I thought I could access the internal GPS on a Verizon enabled iPad Air, like on past models, but so far it has me stumped and all Apple can tell me is that; "You need a data plan in order to use the GPS."......... I know this is not true.
A data plan does me no good when I am out of range of cell access, we're in Maine.........
Just yesterday I bought a HiSense Sero 7 Tablet (Walmart $129) Same internals as the Nexus 7.
Went to the NOAA site (Mynoaacharts) downloaded the free app, and then started downloading the (free) charts. I have the entire gulf coast loaded now, and will do the east coast today.
Included in the app is available downloads of coast pilots, and up date notification of the charts so you can reload as needed.
Also set up the FireFox browser on it.
It's going to replace my Netbook as the nav computer aboard the boat, with much less current draw, and charging via the boats 12 volt system.
I will still have my Iphone with it's GPS, charts and apps, and my other GPS.
And a few chart books for evening planning.
By the way- the print on demand chart dealers will still be selling charts, an the NOAA charts will still be available for you to print.
Went to the NOAA site (Mynoaacharts) downloaded the free app, and then started downloading the (free) charts. I have the entire gulf coast loaded now, and will do the east coast today.
Included in the app is available downloads of coast pilots, and up date notification of the charts so you can reload as needed.
Also set up the FireFox browser on it.
It's going to replace my Netbook as the nav computer aboard the boat, with much less current draw, and charging via the boats 12 volt system.
I will still have my Iphone with it's GPS, charts and apps, and my other GPS.
And a few chart books for evening planning.
By the way- the print on demand chart dealers will still be selling charts, an the NOAA charts will still be available for you to print.
MS,
Dump the Ipad and get a Galaxy. I have an aversion to all things Apple. Can't stand em for reasons like you just illustrated, quite nicely. Ahhh, but back to the Galaxy, push the WiFi symbol then the GPS symbol. I'm on and for half the price.
Don "I hate the arrogant big guy" Scribner
Dump the Ipad and get a Galaxy. I have an aversion to all things Apple. Can't stand em for reasons like you just illustrated, quite nicely. Ahhh, but back to the Galaxy, push the WiFi symbol then the GPS symbol. I'm on and for half the price.
Don "I hate the arrogant big guy" Scribner
I looked at both and decided on the iPad the price difference was not that bad. The rest of the fam is on iPad but I have an android phone..... I use multiple platforms Windows, Mac & Android, but for a tab I chose the iPad. I spent countless hours trying to decide between a Galaxy and iPad but the iPad won out..
BTW Google creeps me out far worse than Apple. Heck Google may be more creepy than the Fed Govt.....