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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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OT - Ipads

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2010 : 07:32:46

So how many of you scored an IPAD for Christmas?

How many gigs should a person buy. DO you really need 64 gb's?

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 12/28/2010 : 17:35:14

I got a Nook Color instead, since I primarily wanted a eReader that would support Adobe's EPUB format for digital library books. It has a lot of potential as an Android table if you make the necessary hacks to open it up. Obviously it has no potential as a chart plotter, since there's no GPS chip built in, and no apparent way to interface an external sensor.

I briefly flirted with an iPad instead, but it's about 3x the cost. I'm still not completely sure about my decision, though.

Because I sail on a river and do a lot of tacking, my Oregon 400c has been extremely helpful for deciding how close to shore to go before tacking. Based on the sailing I did last season, it seems to be VERY accurate for the area where I sail. It is so helpful that I'd consider spending more $$$ to get something with a bigger screen. I'm considering a GPSMap 640, but still wondering whether the iPad would be a better way to go.

As you can see by my pic below, my bimini will prevent direct sunlight, and I tend to avoid rain since we're daysailors. In the rare case of rain or splashing into the cockpit I could use my waterproof handheld instead - or consider one of the waterproofing options.

For those who have tried the iPad, how does its screen work outside? Is it bright enough to see in a shaded area? How is the glare? Does iNavX support course-up, or just north-up? Does any program out there support NOAA's ENC charts directly? (I believe iNavX is raster only.)

Edited by - TakeFive on 12/29/2010 08:13:05

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2010 : 08:18:47

It turns out my son has iNavX on his iPad, so I tried it out a bit last night. We could not figure out a way to enable course-up mode (where the chart rotates, and the location indicator continues to point up).

One other option I can consider (instead of iPad or GPSmap 640) is to use my netbook with OpenCPN software (which does support course-up). I had some mixed results with that last year, but could try to optimize it to load charts faster, and fabricate a mount that could install at the top of my pedestal guard. My Wind U100 netbook has an extremely bright display that has no problems in daylight, and a non-glare screen.

Oops, I think I'm hijacking this thread.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.