tablet navigation
- Thread starter c_witch
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Lots and lots of posts on tablets and navigation. Plenty of people for, plenty of people sort of against, and many who won't give up on a dedicated chart plotter but who play with tablets. Depends on your navigation needs and risk tolerance levels...
I use an old Asus tablet that has a GPS chip in it. I have the Navionic app on it. I have a waterproof case on it, but the only drawback is that it is hard to read in direct sunlight. But a good understanding of the waters and a little pre-cruise research should prevent the need for constant tablet watching.
The Navionics app has never let me down yet.
The Navionics app has never let me down yet.
I sailed 2000 miles in mexico in the past 12 months using navionics software on both my ipad and iPhone. I used my raymarine display only for radar. I am getting a sense 50 and intend integrating it with the ipad including radar and autopilot. Much easier to use anywhere on board. On watch at night huddled up under the dodger I no longer have to go back to the wheel. I agree with earlier comment that ipad harder to see in direct sunlight.
I also have a SGT3 10.1 and use it for navigation. Yes, I have paper charts aboard also but the tablet gives me a very accurate picture of where I am. Seeing how you are in Canada you might use Navionics software. I believe they have the Canadian charts. Me being in SoCal I use a different program and NOAA charts. I would recommend, if you haven't done so already, that you download GPS TEST or GPS TEST Plus from the Play Store. Very good app for checking your GPS and viewing how many satellites you are tracking.
I rely on a dedicated chart plotter. It is not portable, relies on a 60 lbs battery and so far the women and children have not found another use for it.
Sunlight not good
I find all tablets and computers are terrible in sunlight and have same problem
right now sitting out side my motor home up in NY,sunlight makes very hard to
see anything
I am lucky had a C-80 Raymarine chartplotter installed when new from factory
and love it so well at helm in bright sunny days too.
I do have backup paper charts and Navionics on laptop and Iphone and use them down below all the time.
Nick
I find all tablets and computers are terrible in sunlight and have same problem
right now sitting out side my motor home up in NY,sunlight makes very hard to
see anything
I am lucky had a C-80 Raymarine chartplotter installed when new from factory
and love it so well at helm in bright sunny days too.
I do have backup paper charts and Navionics on laptop and Iphone and use them down below all the time.
Nick
I have an iPad 4 and that is my primary navigation instrument, well besides the compass and charts. I will use the Navionics and iNavix apps. We are on year 3 of using the apps for navigation. We have an older, gray scale fixed chart plotter but we don't have the map chips for our local area. We only use that unit for the radar. We also carry and older Garmin 76CX handheld unit. You can download charts onto that unit but we don't have the disk any more so you can't update the charts. That unit sits in the ditch bag.
One of the keys is understanding the difference in the apps is the type of base chart you're using. There are raster image chart vs. vector image charts. NOAA has a good write up: http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/learn_diffRNC_ENC.html
As far as the direct sunlight, the new units are far better than the older ones. I can see my screen fine in the direct sunlight if I lift my sunglasses (polarized sun glasses don't work with most screens). On my friends iPad Air it's even better.
We keep our iPad in a Lifeproof case that makes it water proof and pretty rugged. The only issue we have is that it will over heat if you leave it in direct sunlight.
We just use the internal GPS. But some of that decision depends on how you use your GPS/chart plotter. My primary use of the iPad is that it gives me charts that are very easy to zoom in and out. I don't rely on the location it gives me like that is the end-all-be-all. It's just one reference point out of many that we monitor while we are out. On longer trips and into unfamiliar areas we still use paper charts and will follow our course with visual references, compass bearings and the GPS coordinates to make sure all are matching up. Some of the power boaters I know will plot a course and keep their boat right on the line essentially heavily relying on the GPS only. Not my cup of tea.
We get about 8 hours of battery life. But we let it go to low power mode often. If you are the type that constantly look at screen, you will probably get less than 6 hours.
The biggest advantage to doing the iPad for navigation is the planning convenience. I can grab the iPad, Eldridge and cruising guide and made everything out. Using the boat information I put in it will tell me the estimated travel time, fuel usage and other useful info. The current info built right into the app is unbelievably useful for planning and you almost don't have to consult Eldridge but we still do most of the time. Really I could plan any trip we take with just the iPad using the Navionics and Active Captain App. There is even an animated wind grib built into the app.
Good luck and fair winds,
Jesse
One of the keys is understanding the difference in the apps is the type of base chart you're using. There are raster image chart vs. vector image charts. NOAA has a good write up: http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/learn_diffRNC_ENC.html
As far as the direct sunlight, the new units are far better than the older ones. I can see my screen fine in the direct sunlight if I lift my sunglasses (polarized sun glasses don't work with most screens). On my friends iPad Air it's even better.
We keep our iPad in a Lifeproof case that makes it water proof and pretty rugged. The only issue we have is that it will over heat if you leave it in direct sunlight.
We just use the internal GPS. But some of that decision depends on how you use your GPS/chart plotter. My primary use of the iPad is that it gives me charts that are very easy to zoom in and out. I don't rely on the location it gives me like that is the end-all-be-all. It's just one reference point out of many that we monitor while we are out. On longer trips and into unfamiliar areas we still use paper charts and will follow our course with visual references, compass bearings and the GPS coordinates to make sure all are matching up. Some of the power boaters I know will plot a course and keep their boat right on the line essentially heavily relying on the GPS only. Not my cup of tea.
We get about 8 hours of battery life. But we let it go to low power mode often. If you are the type that constantly look at screen, you will probably get less than 6 hours.
The biggest advantage to doing the iPad for navigation is the planning convenience. I can grab the iPad, Eldridge and cruising guide and made everything out. Using the boat information I put in it will tell me the estimated travel time, fuel usage and other useful info. The current info built right into the app is unbelievably useful for planning and you almost don't have to consult Eldridge but we still do most of the time. Really I could plan any trip we take with just the iPad using the Navionics and Active Captain App. There is even an animated wind grib built into the app.
Good luck and fair winds,
Jesse
... and the best reason for using an ipad or equivalent is the ability to route plan at home. Easier than bringing the boat home.
Jesse, glad you mentioned the animated grib feature. I've just checked it out and it is pretty cool.
I'm a big fan of Navionics. I especially like to save the tracks of my sailing trips.
Nothing beats a dedicated GPS chartplotter in bright sunlight but I make out OK with the iPad Air.
I'm a big fan of Navionics. I especially like to save the tracks of my sailing trips.
Nothing beats a dedicated GPS chartplotter in bright sunlight but I make out OK with the iPad Air.