[mrmac]

I know the information is on our site, but I just can't seem to put it all together.

We are going from Chesapeake Bay to Bermuda and would like to use an iPad as a backup chart plotter. Here is my thinking:

I will download the appropriate/available NOAA raster charts.

With "wifi only" ipad 3, I know that I will need an exterior GPS with Bluetooth and an app to manage the charts.

What combination of GPS and app have you used successfully for an iPad 3 with "wifi only?"

Thanks for any help.

 

[Faster]

Some answers here:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/electronics/99919-anyone-using-bluetooth-gps-rcvr-wifi-only-ipad.html

 

[smackdaddy]

Though I have the iPad 2 with GPS - the wireless setup I just finished on our boat will work fine with a non-GPS iPad 3. It's pretty awesome.

The Mr. Universe of Nav Systems

 

[TomMaine]

I know the information is on our site, but I just can't seem to put it all together.

We are going from Chesapeake Bay to Bermuda and would like to use an iPad as a backup chart plotter. Here is my thinking:

I will download the appropriate/available NOAA raster charts.

With "wifi only" ipad 3, I know that I will need an exterior GPS with Bluetooth and an app to manage the charts.

What combination of GPS and app have you used successfully for an iPad 3 with "wifi only?"

Thanks for any help.

I used an Ipad 2 wifi only, last season as a backup CP. I love it! I used the Garmin Glo external antenna. That stayed in the chart drawer below the glass decks and gave a perfect signal anywhere onboard.

I added another 12DC plug nearby, will pick up a dual USB charger, and that takes care of charging issues. These take very little juice, I find.

I used Garmin Bluecharts nav. app(30.00 East Coast Caribbean) and like that as well. The Active Captain addition, my first real use, was very handy.

The only problem I had was the ipad freezing a couple times. I still don't know exactly why, but I think it may have something to do with the tracking or something. EAsy enough to reset(it's a back up to the onboard CP) until I figure it out.

I've added an iphone 5c to my CP's(it's always on me), so I'm pretty much paperless in the chart drawer. I may install a different nav. app in the phone.

 

[zeehag]

do your nav programs require wifi to use em or just to download charts...and where do these wifi only systems get free no password wifi to use out in middle of an ocean... do you also have a sat fone or iridium or magical signal creator of some kind???

 

[smackdaddy]

do your nav programs require wifi to use em or just to download charts...and where do these wifi only systems get free no password wifi to use out in middle of an ocean... do you also have a sat fone or iridium or magical signal creator of some kind???

Zee, you download the charts onto your device in-port while you have wifi. Then you don't need any internet connection at sea. The charts are already loaded and the GPS signal is available without the need for wifi.

It's basically like having the chip for a standard chartplotter. Just better.

 

[DonScribner]

Mack,

as a back up I would assume that you don't need all the bells and whistles. Well, maybe one bell and a whistle or two. Consider the cost of all the added gadgetry, then consider an Android tablet and the free NOAA app or the Navionics app ($55). The tablet has the GPS built in. The apps are no/few frills but as a back up should do the trick. Either way, the Ipad or Andoid, tablets are hard to see in sunlight. Whatever you do, I wish you fair winds and a following sea.

Don

 

[night0wl]

I put my nmea instruments on a wifi stream using OpenCPN. Then I used my various ipad apps that can get nmea over TCP to become an auxilarly plotter.

 

[JoeLena]

I used an Ipad 2 wifi only, last season as a backup CP. I love it! I used the Garmin Glo external antenna. That stayed in the chart drawer below the glass decks and gave a perfect signal anywhere onboard.

I've added an iphone 5c to my CP's(it's always on me), so I'm pretty much paperless in the chart drawer. I may install a different nav. app in the phone.

I have the same setup. Works quite well. The Garmin is a quality unit and reception is fine with the unit below on the table.

 

[fryewe]

WiFi iPad with bluetooth GPS and Seaiq (OpenCPN for iPad and iPhone). Amazing.

 

[smackdaddy]

WiFi iPad with bluetooth GPS and Seaiq (OpenCPN for iPad and iPhone). Amazing.

Is the seaiq thing only for use with Active Captain? That would be a deal-breaker for me.

 

[jerryRiggin]

Mack,

as a back up I would assume that you don't need all the bells and whistles. Well, maybe one bell and a whistle or two. Consider the cost of all the added gadgetry, then consider an Android tablet and the free NOAA app or the Navionics app ($55). The tablet has the GPS built in. The apps are no/few frills but as a back up should do the trick. Either way, the Ipad or Andoid, tablets are hard to see in sunlight. Whatever you do, I wish you fair winds and a following sea.

Don

I agree with Don. YOu can get a tablet with built-in wifi, GPS, the works and download the Navionics app. This is what we use and it has been worth it's weight in gold, muchless the less than $300 it took for us to get the tablet + Navionics maps.

 

[mrmac]

Purchased a used iPad 1 w/GPS online for $105. Tracking shows that it is "Out for Delivery."

When it arrives, I'll download NOAA charts and OpenCPN.

Thank you for good advice and direction - will let you know how it works out.

Dick

 

[pcmm]

Is the seaiq thing only for use with Active Captain? That would be a deal-breaker for me.

smackdady, SeaIQ is for use with enc and rastor charts it just happens to also connect to active captain. really good app, much better than openCPN much more usable. its downloads are very slick! even knows how to grab chart updates from noaa army corps etc.

 

[TakeFive]

Purchased a used iPad 1 w/GPS online for $105. Tracking shows that it is "Out for Delivery."

When it arrives, I'll download NOAA charts and OpenCPN.

Thank you for good advice and direction - will let you know how it works out.

Dick

OpenCPN does not run on iPad.