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ipad-charts

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tweeet65
1st Mate

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USA
55 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/20/2014 : 14:04:41

Hey gang, thinking about an ipad mini to use for, among others, a chartplotter on Alacrity. I figure I can strap it to my thigh while sailing since mounting is a little unhandy. I guess I have to get one that has cellphone capacity in order to get real time wind/tide, etc. Any recommendations for a good carrier and nav software that won't break me? I only need interior, I sail Columbia River and area lakes though the dream is to trailer to the Seattle and sail the sound.
Thanks, Tweeet

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2014 : 15:08:04

I haven't tried SEAiq yet, but it uses free NOAA and Army Core of Engineers vector charts, a real plus, and it also adds Active Captain. I use INavX, but there are cheaper options. It only uses the raster version of the free charts but works especially well with MacENC on my computer. INavX implies that you need an XTraverse account to export/import waypoint/route files, but you can actually email the data to yourself as gpx files. To get charts for non-CoE lakes, you might need to go with Garmin, Navionics, or other big name commercial packages. Caveats: you will find brightness and reflection to be problem. I am currently evaluating yet another anti reflective screen protector on my IPhone that seems promising after several dismal evaluations of similar products. I'll update that in a few weeks. It doesn't address the brightness issue, but I have found that to be a manageable problem if reflection is controlled. I have a cigarette lighter outlet and USB in my coaming pocket so I don't kill the battery with max brightness. You do need the cellular model or a bluetooth gps puck, but you don't have to activate the cell account to get gps data. Also, you'll be happier if you spring for the current Retina model instead of the first gen mini.

Edited by - on

indecentseas
1st Mate

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Canada
67 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2014 : 15:42:52

Navionics makes good sense in Canada because our government does not make any charts available for free. I'm happy with the software and the price is reasonable. It includes tide predictions which are accurate enough. As Dave suggests, I have the LTE iPad mini but have not bothered to pay for data. This gives the unit a GPS which seems quite accurate. I use my iPhone, which has data, to get weather updates.

Dave- be sure to update us on the anti-reflective screen

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sailorbaz
1st Mate

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Australia
26 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 03:08:47

I went for a sail today in the beautiful Autumn (fall) weather we're having here. I have an iPad in a waterproof case mounted on a bracket under the sprayhood - I think you guys call it a dodger? It's on the port side clamped to the end of the handrail - I have the depth sounder on the starboard side.
I am running Transas iSailor on the iPad and with the brightness turned up, I can see it OK from the helm. I've modified the rubber case to let the small 8 pin charger lead plug in. I have a 12 volt socket on the switch panel just below it.
The chart is good for our area and you can open a window at the side with heading and SOG.
Hope this helps.
Sailorbaz

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 06:30:18

If you are only buying the iPad for charts, and not any other apps, I'd recommend getting a Nexus 7 instead. They are a lot cheaper than the iPad Mini, have a built in GPS (even on the cheapest model) and run Navionics just fine. I don't love Android, but the Nexus 7 is about the cheapest backup boat GPS with full charts that you can get.

Downsides of using a tablet compared to a real plotter are:
* Most tablets aren't waterproof. Adding waterproofing to them that can also allow you to charge them is very expensive.
* The screens aren't as bright as marine plotters.
* They don't work when you are wearing wet gloves.
* Integration with onboard instruments is very expensive.

For the same price as an iPad Mini with GPS you can get a basic marine GPS. West Marine has had very nice deals on the Raymarine A65/A67 too (sometimes as cheap as $550), which is a smaller unit that runs the same software as their top of the line units. US charts for these units are now free.

Edited by - awetmore on 05/22/2014 06:30:38

tweeet65
1st Mate

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USA
55 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 08:14:24

Thanks for all the assistance. I have looked at the raymarine units, like the portability and other uses of the tablet so still think an ipad would be great. Dave H.: I have a cell phone with data also, do you recommend an app that does a good job with wind? I live 40 mi from the river and hate to drive all that way and find no wind. Also, are you able to get current direction?

Dave (tweet)

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 09:33:18

Bear in mind that in order to get a GPS chip in an iPad, it has to be a 3/4G version. Otherwise you're only getting IP triangulation which is not very accurate. Alex's suggestion of a Nexus solves that problem (at a pretty good discount compared to any iPad out there).

We have a 3G iPad 2 in an environment case, but the screen's simply not bright enough to be overly useful. We use Garmin's BlueChart app (maps are $30 for the entire US), and while I like the software, and the Active Captain integration.

If you're ever in the Seattle area, give us a buzz and we can go out on the sound on SL.

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asduffy
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 10:29:02

I use the (2013) nexus 7 with navionics, it's a very inexpensive way of getting a 7 inch chart plotter. But I echo what Alex say's above.

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asduffy
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 10:45:01

The other option for a regular iPad is to get the Garmin Glow. It's a Blue Tooth Gps that is aviation and marine grade.

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indecentseas
1st Mate

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Canada
67 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 15:05:33

Tweet,

Your iPhone can create a hotspot to let your iPad piggyback on the data plan. Any weather apps I could suggest are all local to my area.

But here are some shots of what Navionics gives you. These photos are from the iPhone version.

For any location you can bring up this screen which contains localized information:

Tapping on the tide icon brings up this. You can scroll ahead about 7 days.

Tapping on the current icon brings up a screen like this:

In my area there are numerous tide stations that provide data.

By tapping on the wind icon you bring up this screen, which is animated, showing wind forecast for the next few days. The information here is very macro and of little use to me.

Hope that helps.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 21:07:20

I use Weather Underground. I can use bluetooth to make my IPad or IPhone a repeater for INavX running on my Mac in the cabin and display Mr. Tides data. There are many options for native IOS tide apps.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 18:19:22

My iPod touch V5 has a built-in GPS. The other day as I was out on the bay, I was connected and tried GeoGarage and iSailor. Neither could pin-point my location like my Garmin did. I like the iPod for creating routes and plotting them on my chart, however I will not trust my boat and life to my iPod.

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capted
1st Mate

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39 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2014 : 12:35:15

I was given a mini which I upgraded to include cellular and GPS. You get both in the ipad package, but you don't need to activate a data plan to use the gps. I purchased iNavX software, which allows free downloads of all NOAA maps. I also got a waterproof pouch to protect the unit. It works fine for my purposes, and I use the chart formats I'm accustomed to.
I also got a data plan so I can access weather reports while on the water, since I do not have a data phone.
The only issue is where to store it- I've taken to sliding it into the coaming compartment which is convenient for a nav update.

Edited by - on

tweeet65
1st Mate

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USA
55 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2014 : 17:44:46

Gang, got an ipad Friday on ebay. Also bought a "Bad Elf" dongle to provide great gps. Good article in latest SAIL magazine about nav software and the dongle. Thanks for all suggestions, next stop is to purchase some nav apps, I will play with the thing first.

Tweeet

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tweeet65
1st Mate

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USA
55 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2014 : 17:47:16

BTW DH, Navionics looks great. I lean towards them.

Thanks,

Tweeet

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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.