Calling all techies.
I am considering buying an ipad or tablet. I'd like to use navigation and wind/weather apps but am uncertain as to web connections (wifi 3g, 4g etc).
Does anybody have any views that a techie neanderthal might understand?
Regards and best wishes for the season
Jim Rotheram (Pen Gwyn)
PS I seem to have stopped getting email reminders of postings
Fri, 26/12/2014 - 3:36pm
#1
ipad/tablets
Hi Jim
Navionics do a very good navigation app for tablets, I think it's around £40 including charts for the whole UK and channel, which is a hell of a deal compared to dedicated chart plotters!
It works on both iPad and Android tablets, personally I prefer the latter, but thexre's such a huge variety of Android devices on the market it can be hard to know how to choose. Google's own Nexus brand ones are very good though, and not expensive.
The navigation app doesn't need an internet connection while in use, though you need to download the charts for the areas you're going to be sailing before you set sail. E.g. you can do that at home with WiFi over your broadband connection.
For weather updates you do need an internet connection to get current data, and either 3g or 4g will work. You only get coverage up to a few miles offshore, the same as your phone. Devices with 4g also support 3g, which gives more connection options so in theory
you'll be less likely to completely lose signal.
The tablet needs to have GPS, check when buying because not all of them do.
I hope this helps!
Rick
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Forum Fiend v1.3.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Having tried using an iPad as a chart plotter for a channel crossing last year, I do think that the Navionics chart pack is indeed very good. The display is good and it is easy to move around the chart display. The downside for me is the need to keep the device on charge if you want a continuous display. I used a scanstrut protective case which I had borrowed. This is however very expensive and not entirely waterproof when the charge lead is in situ. I have now just bought a Lowrance dedicated chartplotter which I will be fitting for this season.
I;ve been using a no name £75 Chinese tablet for about 4 years now as its all I've needed here or abroad. Navionics was £15 at the time. Its £40 or so now and note they have changed the goalposts again so you have yearly updates charge now too (if you require it?) There are old cracked uk and med regions that work fine on the net.
I prefer no name tablets over any apple or branded kit as you are not locked in or out of the op system or play store etc. You need to make sure it has a dedicated gps chip, Not just "assisted gps" as that uses mobile signal triangulation to help lock on. The nexus does have tru gps and a good screen however. Hudl2 is decent I'm told.
I have a downward facing waterproof 12v car socket on the binnacle and a zipped cover, but it will never be entirely waterproof. I carry a android/navionics smartphone for those conditions in my pocket and backup. Even as backup to a dedicated chartplooter, I thing a tablet or phone its a good idea.
Thanks for the info Rick that's really helpful. Sorry for the delay in replying but its been a really busy time these last few weeks.
Hopefully we will meet up somewhere over the summer.
regards
Jim
Thanks Colin and Tony. The no name tablet sounds like an economic option as I would probably only use it for weather, navigation and reading books
Regards
Jim