Tablet navigation

FB111A

FB111A

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May 4, 2013
36
Pacific Seacraft Crealock34 Belfast, Maine
I have had my iPad 2/verizon for 2 years and it has been great. With Garmin Blue chart loaded and the resident Active Captain data you have lots of info even when out of range of cell/wifi. I don't use my laptop at all now. The Garmin app is as good as my fancy chart plotter, only thing I can' t overlay the radar and drive the AP but that app is probably coming soon for $1.99.
 
BobT

BobT

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Sep 29, 2008
239
Gulfstar 37 North East River, Chesapeake Bay
I recently purchased the new nexus 7. Its a great little machine and the Android os hasn't given me any trouble yet. I have been using Navionics on the iPhone for route planning and back up and I like it. So I downloaded the Android version -but- I balked at the $50 fee for the tablet optimized version. The $10 version runs just fine but the secondary pages for current and tide info lose their horizontal scale. The graphs are mashed pretty badly. The info is still interpretable but not pretty. I haven't had it out on the water yet but in broad daylight the display is not looking like it will cut it for cockpit use.
I didn't intend for the Nexus the a primary chartplotter. It's a laptop substitute primarily for entertainment, browsing & email.
 
Bill1565

Bill1565

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Jan 22, 2008
1,483
Hunter 37 C sloop Punta Gorda FL
Open Navionics , put your finger somewhere on the chart, you get cross hairs and a? Tap the ? Lat and long of the crosshairs should show At the top of the screen.
 
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cas206

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May 15, 2012
24
Cal 27-3 Solomons
For those with Nexus brightness issues, make sure the default auto brightness is turned off and manually crank up the brightness to full. I find that auto brightness is way too dim for older eyesight.
 
PAINKILLER

PAINKILLER

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Sep 23, 2009
2
Pearson 31-2 Lake Winnipesaukee
I just completed a circumnavigation of Antigua using my iPad with iNavx, and Navonics charts. Worked very well, no problems. You do need a good anti glare screen saver to view the screen in bright sunlight.
Painkiller
 
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Gene Foraker

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Jun 3, 2004
4
Catalina 36mkII Sandusky, OH
Maine Sail said:
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.........
Click to expand
You do not need an active data plan to use the iPad with Navionics, but only the 3g or 4g models have an internal gps chip. No one says you have to keep the data plan active. Download the maps from Navionics while connected with a good wifi signal. For those who have a non-gps equipped iPad there are external gps modules which can connect through Bluetooth or a direct connection.
 
HukilauMike

HukilauMike

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May 31, 2004
858
Catalina 28 Branford
I thought about using a tablet or phone for as my main navigational device, but decided against it, however for none of the reasons outlined by all of the other posters here.

My main reason was that I wanted a purpose-built device that was rugged and waterproof. My chartplotter is made to be a chartplotter; that's what it does (also a depth finder). I don't have to worry if I am in wi-fi or cell range, or if the app works or if it gets wet without its special case, or if......

I bought it at a spring sale, so it cost less (way less) than a tablet, and that included full charts.
 
Wannagosail

Wannagosail

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Dec 13, 2010
1
Paceship PY26 Stuart
I have a question as to how and where you have set up your iPad. My concern is the weather factor (waterproofing), and the ability to access it from the cockpit ( I have a tiller) on my 26' sloop. Thanks!
 
E

elliott2254

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Jul 7, 2012
2
Catalina 25 Guntersville, AL
Maine Sail said:
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.........
Click to expand
Apple is correct. You need data activated to use the iPad for navigation. It does not use much, but it is necessary. I use the iPad on the Tennessee River. Works well, but I keep a depth finder running to cross check and have paper charts as backup. I tried using an iPad without data for navigation and it does not work.
 
A

atroon

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Aug 7, 2012
19
Oday 28 Grand Haven
Maine Sail said:
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.........
Click to expand
The wifi only iPads do not have a GPS chip, that's why you need the Verizon one. That said, you should be able to get a GPS fix, depending on your software. My company uses a pair of them for two pilots, and I know their software is capable of using the GPS and they do not have data plans activated.

The key is finding software that will download charts to local storage, as many apps will not do that.
 
sailcruiser

sailcruiser

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Sep 6, 2011
435
I have had an iPad as backup navigation for many years. Search the App Store for boat navigation that is free and find something to test GPS. I found it was just ok and went with an seperate GPS puck. Also popular with pilots.

The iPad screen is difficult to see in bright sunlight. I have mine in a lifeproof case for waterproofing (no issues yet but I don't purposely dunk it in water). A ziplock works too but not as elegant.

There are other options from about $12 and up but I have no experience with anything but Lifeproof.

Some ideas:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=lpo_sr_mobile?ie=UTF8&keywords=waterproof ipad case

For GPS I I have an external unit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004M3BICU/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=1385392410

Hope this helps!
SC
 
M

MLampner

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Aug 23, 2009
361
Hunter 30 Middle River MD
I routinely use my iphone and ipad as a back up to our handheld GPS and paper charts. Pluses often have newer charts than I do aboard in either the gps or the book for areas I don't routinely visit.

As to spray, I find one of the most effective way to waterproof any of these devices is a ziplock freezer bag. I also find an external large capacity battery a plus. That can be put in the bag as well and that allows it to be used at full brightness which has worked for me in full sun.
 
M

moxenham

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Jul 9, 2012
1
MacGregor 26M Erie/Huron
Nexus 4 & Galaxy Tab

I use the app Marine Navigator. I've found the GPS accuracy on both devices to be very good.

The Tabs large screen shows more, but the compactness of the Nexus 4 allows me to put it in a suction cup based cell phone mount and stick it to top of the steering pedestal of my 26M.

I did find overriding the auto screen brightness and setting it manually to full made a difference.
 
B

BarryBershad

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Sep 3, 2013
38
Beneteau 331 Brewer's Warwick
Typically all you need to do is download the chart while on wifi, if it has an internal GPS. Then then the chart is in memory and the program and gps does the rest.
 
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gregorybross

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Jan 31, 2012
56
Catalina 30 mkIII Santa Barbara
I use an iPad running iNavX and have been very happy with the performance. The screen is not as bright as a built in unit but I can see well enough by moving the iPad to the best angle. The problem with built in units is the go bad after a few years, are very expensive and only do navigation. When my Garmin unit failed Garmin was of absolutely no help. You can take your tablet off the boat and then you have a computer you can use.
Greg
 
brianhess

brianhess

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Nov 17, 2013
5
Camper-Nicholson Nicholson 33 Port Orchard, WA
I used my android LG Venice running NOAA charts on an app called "Marine Navigation." It was plenty bright enough and the GPS was accurate. I have an HP TC4400 that has a tablet mode. I run a Debian distro of Linux and I found a USB GPS reciever that I want to try. I loaded OpenCPS, a free chart software program that works with RNC and ENC charts. Placing the computer on a tray and mounting bracket like what police use in their cruisers so I can keep the laptop out of harms way in inclement weather. I am designing a new nav station on my Nicholson 33 and putting all new technologies using opensource software and effective hardware that has low power consumption for living off the grid for extended voyages while also reducing the amount of space being used. I like having more living space down below and few gadgets to clutter the cockpit. I think that the most expensive system I plan to by is going to be my satellite phone. And since I love to sail all year around in the Puget Sound, I plan to install radar. That Stephen King-style fog that rolls in on the Hood Canal and Admiraly Inlet can be scary, especially at night!
 
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sailorhokie

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Jul 28, 2012
35
Catalina 27 Annapolis
I use our iPad as a backup or secondary aid. You must purchase the iPad with cellular as the GPS is integrated into the cellular chipset. You do NOT need a dataplan to use the GPS. If you have the WiFi only, several Bluetooth GPS pucks are available.

As others have mentioned the brightness is an issue and is compounded when wearing sunglasses.

We have a shockproof/splashproof case. The capacitive touch screen is difficult to operate when wet. Also if your case includes a screen cover any moisture trapped under the screen wreaks havoc.

We use iSailGPS for trip planning in the Chesapeake and Navimatics Charts and Tides primarily for the Active Captain integration.

The variety of chart sources (Garmin, NOAA, Navimatics) is comforting for cross-checking in unfamiliar waters.

We use the Garmin GPSMap 76Cx as our primary navigation aid. Small, low power, rugged.

Josh
 
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Sealink

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Mar 18, 2013
4
Beneteau 351 Kemah
iPad works great

I have been using my iPad with the INavX app for over a year now aboard a Beneteau 351. Works great. Under the bimini the sun or brightness has not been an issue. Dims nicely for night sailing. On a calm leg I can also quickly check email or search an issue that might have become a hot topic for discussion in the cockpit. I purchased a special mount that holds the iPad just above the binnacle making it just below eye level at the helm station. Love it.
 
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