Rob, I use Android and prefer it as a phone system.

That being said, I don't think Nav apps are quite there yet for Android. I installed my Samsung tablet at my nav station as a backup nav system just to try it last year as I already owned the tablet. At the time only Isailor was available as a viable alternative to Inavx. It works, but nowhere near as good an interface as InavX running on an old Ipad. And it is buggy and crashes at times. InavX was released this year for Android and I excitedly downloaded it. Unfortunately, again it is nowhere near what it is on the Ipad version. Very simple in comparison and buggy. I most likely will be investing soon in an inexpensive Ipad to replace the Android and run the Apple version of InavX. I just don't think it is there yet for Android - no fault of the hardware, just seems the developers aren't doing much to develop good nav software for it.

 

I use an android based Sonim XP7 for about the last 3 1/2 years. The phone is awesome. Also use a Samsung tablet but for planning purposes only.

The Sonim phone is awesome, but I am kind of thinking about getting a new app as current app is dated.

https://sonimtech.com/index.php/products/device/device/SonimXP7_3

 

I've been pondering a similar question and I'm leaning strongly towards apple products mainly because of GPS availability. So far as I've found, GPS is an add-on, or rare feature in android tablets, but iPads (except for those with wifi only) all have GPS.

I've heard others echo Lazerbrains observations about the software although I haven't done any comparisons.

 

I've been pondering a similar question and I'm leaning strongly towards apple products mainly because of GPS availability. So far as I've found, GPS is an add-on, or rare feature in android tablets, but iPads (except for those with wifi only) all have GPS.

I've heard others echo Lazerbrains observations about the software although I haven't done any comparisons.

Phil - All Android tablets and phones I have used have GPS built in. It is not an add on on Android devices, nor is it rare.

 

ALWAYS have paper charts as a backup and maintain a running plot.

Why well lack of electrons/lightening strike/water where water should not be.

Yes I am a dinosaur but a dino who knows where he is at all times.

 

I'm in this boat, android or apple. Did a google search IPAD with GPS, apple site iPad 6th gen has "Assisted GPS and GLONASS" when the iPad comes with WI-fi and cellular.iPad uses the location and time information from a wi-fi node and or cell tower to acquire the GPS and GLONASS satellites. I can live with that. Hopefully it stores the almanac so next time its powered up acquisition is faster. Next question: Will an iPad acquire the GPS signal while it is below deck? If not can an external antenna be added, same question applies to an android device. If the inability to acquire below deck is true perhaps the solution is to have an external GPS receiver.

 

If one is out of range of the cell towers can one still have a lat/long derived from GPS?

Yes with both Apple and Android. They work using the GPS, no need for cell signal.

 

Assisted GPS uses tower signals to expedite initial lock. Supposed to be faster than just searching satelites. Unimportant once the device knows where it is.

 

I'm currently an apple user, PC, tablet, phone. All are ready for an upgrade. I am on the fence as to stick with IOS or move over to the dark side. I drive a Chevy Bolt and up until a few days ago Apple car play would only run apple maps and ignorant siri, so I was seriously considering Android strictly for Waze and Google maps on Android Auto.

FWIW, Siri has gotten a lot smarter with my iPhone 8 using CarPlay on my one year old Buick. Waze is not supported, as you know, but my iPad can provide that separately. I do prefer Apple Maps over the GM navigation system that is built in, as it displays speed limits, time to go and ETA. Siri nails the destination the first time and is exceptionally user friendly for navigation--head and shoulders above my older dash-mounted Garmin.

I use Garmin Blue Chart Mobile on the iPad and it is OK, but the charting isn't the best or most user-friendly. My built in chartplotter is a lot better and it is fully integrated with the sailing instruments and AP. My weather-proof chartplotter backup is a Garmin Oregon with its tiny 3" screen.

 

Hmmmm... I basically used fix mount plotters although the Zeus sits in a winch on the coach roof when in use and stored below decks when not.

I have navionics on an Samsung 7 active which I occasionally look at. I don't "navigate" with plotter devices or route plan. I do set a single waypoint on the fixed mount plotters and then "sail" or motor to it usually trying to get there in the shortest time.

AP does not interface to a plotter but it steers 99% of the time.... I dial in the course I want and tweak it as necessary... along with tweaking the sail trim.

All my "plotter" devices pretty much show the same information...

 

It seems the preference between ipad and droid often have little to do with capability. There are pros and cons to capability. The winner on camera quality, battery life, screen size, etc may be deciding factors for some, but don't matter much to me. What brings me back to the Apple products are two things. First and foremost, the complete and total, hands-off, integration of essentially every app between my phone and tablet. Second is the complete lack of user manipulation to make it work, ie plug and play.

There is an example above of the app market being more mature in IOS/Apple, which is still true, but some quote facts that Droid has overcome, or at least substantially caught up. Nevertheless, I understand it remains far more likely that a serious app will first develop for IOS/Apple then Droid. Not sure why, but I believe I read that Apple owners are more likely to buy apps.

Finally, I've never needed to read an instruction manual for any apple app. Ever. Not sure about droid.

This has the potential to become an anchor preference thread, which cracks me up.

 

GPS is common on Android phones. And OPCN is an excellent free navigation package.

 

GPS is common on Android phones and OCPN software is excellent for planning and navigating....and free.

 

I use an iPhone but I also have an RCA Windows 10 tablet. The nice thing is I have an external GPS and usb serial ports I can connect so it interfaces with my Auto Pilot as well. The table is only $120 and can run any windows apps, so gives more flexibility for me. I run PolarNavy on it (OpenCPN is too slow and ugly for me) and it works very well. I have it on a mount that can swing out to be viewable from the cockpit or down below.

The mount is kind of expensive at $45 (shoot it actually went down to $35 now, great deal at that price) but a lot less than RAM mounts and they do have various parts available if you wanted multiple mounting locations and it is very sturdy. Very nice mount for any tablet.

Tablet https://www.amazon.com/RCA-Cambio-Touchscreen-Detachable-10/dp/B078X2YZ2B/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1538575440&sr=1-9&keywords=rca+tablet

Mount https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LULUYHC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I’m not voting because I’m in no position to give advice. But here are my thoughts.

In the past 3 years we have done 7-8,000 miles coastal from 51N to 13N along the East Coast and Carribean. 2 different boats, 2 different chart plotters. 1 iPhone.

I find using iNavEx running RASTER charts to provide the best detailed navigation information. Hands down the best. I use CHS/ NOAA/Explorer/NV charts all available through Fugawi/iNavEx or free.

When the time comes to replace the onboard nav system I will look seriously at not replacing the MFD.

Radar is a separate issue. I prefer a separate display for that in any case, if your MFD goes out you loose everything.

I’m thinking I will be able to purchase a new iPhone and second iPhone with all back up charts for less than the cost of a new MFD.

 

My kids use Droid. My wife and I use Apple. Really it's your preference. I threw away the Apple Maps app. It sucked. Google works fine on the iPhone. Have route planned, navigated with Navionics along West coast to Guatemala, in the Caribbean, Hawai'i and French Polynesia. Downloaded the charts ahead of time, when still in cell range, and never had a problem.

 

Have y'all tried a large chartplotter (7"+)? They are very affordable and most include a fish finder. I would not leave port without it or myEpirb.

On road I use Garmin which always ignores settings and wants to find the route with the most traffic signals (semaphores). I also use google maps on android phone. Google is usually better than the Garmin gps we call "Devious Helga". My chartplotter is not a Garmin.

:svoilier:

 

I have Windows, Android, and iOS tablets as well as Android and iOS phones. I have a lot to say about all of them, but too little time.

My active phone is iPhone 6s+. (I keep my old Android phone to run some favorite apps over Wifi or standalone, including a nice anchor alarm.) I hate Apple Maps, and hate how my wife's new car forces me to use Apple maps through CarPlay. If I want to use Google Maps I can't display it on our car, and if I look at it crooked it suddenly launches Apple Maps even thought I don't want it. My wife's cheapo Android phone runs Google Maps through the car display, and it's NICE on the car display!!!! When my iPhone craps out the replacement will be a nice Android phone. I think Android has surpassed iOS.

On the boat I have Windows tablets that run the Windows version of OpenCPN. I like it so much that it's my primary navigation tool. AIS receiver comes into the tablet by Bluetooth, and Raymarine Seatalk data comes in via WiFi, so everything is integrated.

I do like Garmin Bluechart Mobile on iOS, but it's being discontinued so will only last as long as my phone hangs on. It's my backup handheld chartplotter. I'm able to share routes, waypoints, and tracks between Bluechart and OpenCPN so I can have all my data on either platform.

 

After many years of android use I bit the bullet and went to apple. I have a Raymarine dedicate MFP with an I pad pro as a backup and below deck plotter. It bluetooths and wirelesslely I tergrates with the Raymarine Navionics charts . I have always preferred them over Garmin. Like Rick I have a 6S+
With both Navionics and Blue charts. I can really make comparisons with the two and like I said I like Navionics.

Our AIS is dedicated and the digital radar can be used split screen , by itself, or laid over the chart

We have old fashioned paper charts also. Rarely use them except on cruising passages where we plot every hour.

Unless we get hit with an EMP we have so much redundancy we really don’t worry about total failure

 

I would just use whatever I wanted to use for stuff other then navigation. If your an apple guy then there are a lot of great apps. I use TimeZero (they have a new version called iBoat) it is the same as my new Furuno chart plotter so is familiar. I also use Garmin and iNavX and Navionics for second opinions. 😀
Having said that the iPad gets used a lot more for other stuff then for navigation even though I live on the boat and travel a lot. While I suspect Android would be fine for navigation I would not want to use it for all my other stuff so another iPad is my future.
If you were an Android/windows person then the exact opposite would apply.
Also remember if you have the iPad app the iPhone app is free on the same platform so you can always have a backup. Mixing phone and tablet will cost extra.

Jim

 

...
Android or Stick with Apple?

I dumped the iPad as its only ipx67 which isn't good enough for me to justify the price and limitations.
I now use just a cheap 8" with openCPN and an OTG with either a BU-353-s4 or their Nd105c (micro plug). I can use all the above in ANY phone or cheap tablet and -AND- have ipx68 gear and redundancy for the same price and no apple limitations, price bloat or theft appeal in 3rd-world nations.

I looked into pi3's with an external monitor but all said and done the pros and cons are
-more power draw (!)
-a nightmare to customize to ipx68
But
-better gps
-any size screen
-can gut an older laptop and put it all in there but why when a good ipx68 Android + it cables + external gps/gnss/bds etc is so cheap AND just as effective and such low power draw?
And I can upgrade and expand so easily and everything integrates.

If you are looking at radar check Simrad's newer Wi-Fi 4G units -thry are best and super low and draw.

 

Sorry if this is a double post can not seem to edit or delete prior post with spelling mistakes or ad more info!

...
Android or Stick with Apple?

I dumped the iPad as its only ipx67 which isn't good enough for me to justify the price and limitations.
I now use just a cheap 8" with openCPN and an OTG with either a BU-353-s4 or their Nd105c (micro plug). I can use all the above in ANY phone or cheap tablet and -AND- have ipx68 gear and redundancy for the same price and no apple limitations, price bloat or theft appeal in 3rd-world nations.

I looked into pi3's with an external monitor but all said and done the pros and cons are
-more power draw (!)
-a nightmare to customize to ipx68
But
-better gps (via science modules)
-any size screen
-WeFax & SW radio ability + monitoring & VHF (NTLSDR!)
-can add in AIS (dAISy) too

One can gut an older laptop and put it all in there but why when a good ipx68 Android + OTG cables + external gps/gnss/bds etc is so cheap AND just as effective and such low power draw? For the wefax/sw/vhf monitor it would be worth it but a project.

I like that I can upgrade and expand so easily and everything integrates and it's all opensource.
Done!

If you are looking at radar check Simrad's newer Wi-Fi 4G units - I think they are best image qualty + super low amp draw.

 

If you're looking for a cheap Android table (similar to Kindle Fire) with GPS, Barnes and Noble's Samsung Galaxy Tab A NOOK 7" has it. List price is $129, but occasionally goes on sale for $99 (especially around the holidays).

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sa...om/w/samsung-galaxy-tab-a-nook-7-inch-barnes-noble/1123826273?ean=9780594762157

 

Sounds attractive. Current price is 109.- Did you try it? Does it work with OpenCPN? How about in sunlight? Also, I see it has only 8GB memory, is that a problem?

I have a crappy cheap thing ('IRULU') which has a poor digitizer. This is very annoying, you never know whether it ignored your tapping or something else went wrong. Previously, it did work with OpenCPN but now only raster charts work. I think I am done fighting this thing and ready for a new one. It's one saving grace is that it has 16MB memory. If this BN/Samsung works reliably with OpenCPN and the screen is not too bad, it may get on my Black Friday list...

 

I think some get confused about the role WiFi plays with Apple gps, because, if you shut off the WiFi, it will give a confusing warning. It say something like, location services are improved with WiFi. That has nothing to do with how accurately the GPS receiver is working. I will only speed up how long it takes the receiver to connect to the satellites, because it will already know roughly where you are on the planet, by the WiFi address you’re connected to. It can then start looking for those satellites on your side if the planet, rather than cycling through them all randomly. However, once it finds the right ones, you’re 100% without WiFi.

The gps receiver on your boat likely does a similar but different hack to short cut the initial connection. My antenna actually has a battery inside, which powers a circuit to remember the last satellites it was connected to. When you fire back up, it starts there, shortcutting a random process. I know this because the battery is dead and not replaceable. I have to turn on the breakers and wait 5 mins before turning on the plotter. In that time, it will connect. If I turn on the plotter too soon, it will alarm that it lost reception.

The other location WiFi issue is websites, not gps. Google or Safari, for example, reply to searches with location filtered replies. Search on “pizza” and you’ll likely get a local store on the first page. I believe it does this by knowing the general area of the WiFi address.

 

Apple's marketing decision to bundle GPS chip with cellular capability has led to HUGE misperceptions about requiring cell reception to use GPS. No matter how many times you point out the thousands of non-cellular devices that function perfectly well (handheld GPS, chartplotters, airplane navigation, etc) and the simple fact that you can use any chartplotter app away from cell reception, the incorrect perception persists because of Apple's dominance in the market.

 

I use an iPad with iSailor charts, and find it outstanding.
Last year I was on a delivery from Norway to Singapore and used the iPad/iSailor combo for the entire 9125 miles. Zero issues.

 

Nemier, what do you use for GPS? I've been using a iPad with iSailor charts and generally like it, especially the scalability in iSailor. However, I've tried using GarminGlo and more recently Vesper XB8000 for GPS, and have connectivity issues with both. The GarminGlo uses bluetooth and the Vesper is WiFi connected, so I don't think that it's the iPad or the GPS receiver, it must be something in the iSailor software. Or at least I think that's the problem. Do you have any ideas?

 

I use a Samsung tablet running Android (ver 7) with the Navionics boating app for a Chart Plotter. The Navionics app is really easy to use and inexpensive ($15). I have the tablet mounted above the companion way, but can take it below deck and still have no problem getting GPS reception. I applied a NuShield anti-glare screen protector to help with visibility in bright sun light.

Normally I am just out for a day sail and have no need for the Chart plotter function. In these cases I have the Android tablet running a free app called "Boat Speed" which gives a large and easy to read SOG and compass heading.

When done sailing the Tablet comes home with me and I can still run the Navionics app from home to do any planning/perusing of waters I may be interested in.