Well here goes, I am going to show my electronic ignorance again. But why does everybody seem to talk I-pad for navigation/gps. Why not android? I think it would be way less expensive. Right now I use a Garmin 78sc with water proof paper chart back back up. The Garmin is used and I got it for $130.00 a year ago. I don't think the owner had a clue how to use it because it showed no wear. The only problem is such a small screen. But it does work really good.
But the question is why I-pad vs android?
This is going to sound really stupid but can the garmin drive another tablet?
Tom L.
I think there may be more nav apps for iPad than Android. You just have to see what is available.
Also, I think you need 3G/4G service for your tablet to be able to use it for nav, or you need wi fi on your boat.
I currently just use a traditional GPS, but a frind uses his iPad mini with 4G and loves it.
Rob
I thought as long as you have a built in GPS in your note pad that a wifi connection was not needed. Its likely that I would get out of cell tower range so cell service would not be available.
Tom,
That was my thinking also, I installed an app on my Samsung 4 tablet and placed items around the yard. When I returned for them I was impressed with the accuracy.
However, on a recent road trip, I tried to use it and nada.
Useless on a boat.
CC
lowest of the low tech guys
Wi-fi not needed. IPads and IPhones have gps built in. My IPhone tracked all the pix I took on a Caribbean cruise w/gps......no cell connection. I use my old IPhone on Kailani for navigation with iSailGPS app. It is not activated w/Verizon. Wi-Fi and gps only. Also makes a good backup for emergency since any cell phone can make a 911 call, activated or not.
Just talked to a friend that uses his iPad...the answer is that it depends on the iPad. iPad 1 or 2--no go. iPad 3 with retina-yes, do not need 3G/4G service.
Rob
Bet they wish had GPS in the gold days of sailing...
(http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m533/aubelecarl/North%20Carolina%20Trip%20016_zpsno3ijqg7.jpg)
GPS is a really great invention. We sailed to The Bahamas in 02 and 03 and entered the Bahama Bank north of the Abacos. Not a land mark in sight but we went right through the cut in 14 feet of water and navigated down to Great Sail for the first night. We drew about 5'-9" so most of the bank was too shallow. But there are great charts of the area that give safe routs with way points.
Tom L.
Ask Simon about this, Tom. He just bought or was given a little hockey puck sized GPS device that is also used in Airplanes, and it communicates with his iPad 1 via bluetooth.
No GPS or 3/4 G cell service needed. Each needs it's own battery power but it's very minimal.
Ron
If your iPad is 3/4 G ready it will have a built in gps. If it's not cell network ready it wont know where it is unless it's connected to a wifi network.
The iPad does have more app options. One of my favorite sailing apps is Isailor. I have an older iPad w/o a gps chip but I use the Bad Elf GPS receiver which pairs to the iPad and also my phone (at the same time). It's a great solution for giving old devices a new life!
Tim
Bad Elf - that's probably the one that Simon has, Tim.
His old iPad doesn't have 3G or GPS, but it has bluetooth to connect to the GPS unit!
Ron
thanks Tim and Ron. I don't know what I am going to do since I really have a very good Garmin 78sc. The only problem is the screen is very Small. Tim How well can you see the I-Pad in the direct sunlight? The 78sc is very good in the sun, it is just small.
Wonder if the 78sc could somehow be linked to an I-pad?
Tom L.
Tim,
Great info...I'll buy one!
Rob
Tom,
Here's an affordable and easily read GPS from Lowrance: http://www.amazon.com/Lowrance-000-11176-001-Elite-5M-Plotter-Navionics/dp/B00F3RN4G2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1428535259&sr=8-4&keywords=lowrance+Elite+5
This is cheaper than an iPad.
Tom,
I can usually see the iPad fine. I also use my phone quite a bit if I'm driving into a tricky harbor and need to be constantly looking for covered rocks (one hand on the tiller and one holding the phone). Some of the harbors of CT that I anchor in are full of rocks!
I really love the Bad Elf / isailor combo. Plus the isailor is such a deal, I think most major areas are 5 bucks. And having an anchor alarm on the phone/ iPad in bed with you is a major comfort.
Tim
I just got an ipad as a gift. I will be trying the same apps I had been using on the iphone, see if I can see the screen better, like from the companionway mounting that some folks suggested for my gps or iphone.
There's a free app called Odyssea that I used last time out. The track is just a line on a map though. I will try Skipper this time; it's an app I used once before for an inland lake, and I think I can use its tracking feature with weather and photos added.
My gps is good, but it's a bit convoluted to get it to track. Also mine doesn't have a communications cable, so it would just be an isolated track. I did like seeing the chart for some shallow areas, but I found it hard to sail and look at. A friend coming along looked at his handheld and that was helpful. For singlehanding, I guess the chart I have is best for now, unless I can position the ipad.
Someone asked on this thread or another about waterproof cover. I am trying to find a lifeproof, I think it is called, cover for a decent price. I know they work, because I had one on a previous iphone. Too bad apple changed the form factor, har har.
Anyway, I will see how much I can get out of Skipper before I add other apps, since I have a ton of these things on the phone.
I might just be better off with one of those cool chartplotter GPS's that mounts on the companionway. I currently have a fishfinder that works, though; it only shows where I am, not where I need to look out for, though. Perhaps I 'll upgrade some time.
Meanwhile, that's where I am; anyone else have an update to this thread? Thanks!
Bruce
To answer your original question-why use ipad vs droid-it just seems that each platform is better at certain things. As a musician, you can buy digital work stations for pc's all over the place, they seem to work fine, but when I go into the studio I only see mac's. The engineers tell me macs are faster, more accurate, less latency on monitoring (which is really important) , and simply better performers. An IT guy I know told me when I asked should I buy pc or mac " if you are doing anything with graphics or music use mac, if it is numbers go pc."ymmv best of luck.
I tried out a new iPhone navigation app in the Ten Thousand Islands last month. It's called ProCharts, and I used it on an older iPad 2 with the larger (11"?) screen. The cell service has been cancelled for this device, so it was just using preloaded charts (via WiFi) at home, and it's own built in GPS.
ProCharts is the MOST like a stand alone GPS that I've seen, very easy to use and intuitive. It's a free download from the AppStore, but they would like $29/year for updates and unlimited charts. Pretty good deal if you like it. I could view the chart from my normal seat at the tiller in my SunCat when the iPad was leaned up against the cockpit. Really making me rethink why I would need a stand alone GPS.
I did take along a couple of the larger backup battery recharger units and just plugged them in when using the iPad to keep a charge up on the iPad. That worked fine, but they would need to be recharged if I used it constantly for a week or so.
One feature that ProCharts has, built in, is called "Buddies." If you and the other boats in your group are using ProCharts, they can see each other on their screens. Very helpful!
Ron