Navigating with iPad or android tablet
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12009
Printed Date: 10 May 25 at 10:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Navigating with iPad or android tablet
Posted By: Lolascott
Subject: Navigating with iPad or android tablet
Date Posted: 20 May 15 at 11:10am
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I am looking for some help regarding chart plotting and navigation. My partner has a 28 foot yacht and has been doing lots of improvements. He has heard about using an iPad or tablet to help with charts and navigation but is not very good with technology. I have searched the internet but most forums or help pages are geared towards international waters, mostly around america. We are based in Scotland and he only sails around scotland and next year the uk. Does anyone have any advice on what on board tablet is best and what apps would be needed? I'm intending to buy this for him as a birthday gift. Many thanks in advance
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Replies:
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 20 May 15 at 12:59pm
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3g ipad with Navionics app is almost certainly the best way to go. I am the most anti i-device person on the planet preferring to avoid them at all costs but having seen the Navionics app in action on my fathers ipad I cant argue against it.
Dont however forget to buy paper charts, over reliance on electronic aids has been identified as the cause of many serious incidents! |
Posted By: NeilB-Phantom
Date Posted: 20 May 15 at 2:51pm
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I've used the navionics app on a 7in android tablet and my phone and its great, very easy to use but rather limited in capability to be a main nav solution great as a back up though. there is a company that do a dedicated tablet and chart plotting app that works in the UK (meridian-chartware.co.uk) - its a windows tablet I think with Raster rather than vector charts - no personal experience of this but used something similar on a cheapy 10in lap top with a USB GPS and that was very good, more more capable in terms of route planning etc than the tablet app. but not so good for having on deck! ------------- Phantom 1384 Dazcat D995 |
Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Date Posted: 20 May 15 at 4:44pm
| I use the inavX on my ipad. It is really good for pilotage, or as a back up for a system on a yacht ( if the batteries die which is not uncommon).You can also download chart updates so you always have good charts. Get a waterproof case- if your life depends on it as ipads don't like getting wet. |
Posted By: Duffer
Date Posted: 20 May 15 at 5:46pm
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+1 for iNavX Lifeproof or Andres Industries case for protection and waterproofing. AudioNation do a package with clamp or suction cup mounting options. USB back-up battery pack for about £20 (I use RAVPower) more than doubles your battery life. Make sure Wifi, bluetooth and data roaming are turned off and it must be an iPad with cellular for true GPS.
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Posted By: Steve H
Date Posted: 21 May 15 at 3:06pm
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Navionic's will work on both Android and Apple devices but you have to make sure that both of them have a built in GPS. You can also use a tablet with the right app and wifi for AIS which can be handy.
Bear in mind though that you can also get a Garmin or Raymarine colour chart plotter from some of the web based chandlers for about £260 - £300 if you shop around and they are fully waterproof, come with mounts and can be hardwired to both power and your radio |
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 21 May 15 at 6:52pm
Yeah, but you can't play angry birds on a Raymarine 
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