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Which tablet and what programs would you recommend for use as a backup navigation? US and Central America area. Pros and cons to other backup methods? Your help is much appreciated.
Likewise here. I carry an iPad with charting, but also a Garmin Oregon, which is waterproof (but doesn't float). The Oregon has seen salt spray in the cockpit, but I would never put my iPad out there under those conditions. Also, I can put the Oregon in a drink holder, facing the helmsman. Ordinarily I trust the fixed mount Raymarine chart plotters to do their thing, but one time off Newport, the master Raymarine locked up and obscured the display on the second Raymarine. The fix was simple--a factory reset--which I could have done on the spot (if only I had known or called Raymarine support on the cellphone at the time). In any case, I pulled out the Oregon to verify position and bearing to waypoint while maintaining dead reckoning in the background, including checking with Eldridges. I would have easily found Pt Judith harbor of refuge without electronic assistance, but it's always good to exercise backupsl now and then.If you're going to be in weather have an issue with any type of tablet as backup. If you drop them, bang the face into a sharp corner or they get wet you're up the creek without a paddle. Have lifeproofs on ours but even that isn't 100% foolproof. So even though both my wife's and mine have navionics on them still carry a small handheld Garmin with a wrist leash. Store it inside a tin box in case of side flash from lightening strike. Also runs on simple batteries and carry extras. So if we have no power we still have navigation. Not a big expense <$400 with full charts for our travels. Would note we also carry a plastic Davis and reduction charts but that's just for kicks and giggles as it's likely if our electronics go down we won't have the time or interest to be messing around with celestial.
Yes, that is an obvious requirement, but is there a difference in quality of GPS data and/or issues related to interfacing with navigational software? I know some sailors prefer iPads and I'm sure there are reasons why.If you do get a tablet, make sure it has gps.
Some don't.
I've found pretty much the same as you, lax. We really put ours to the test during a 7-week 1,000-mile-plus cruise from Texas to Florida in June/July. This after using it for a couple of years prior to that for typical weekending on Galveston Bay. During that cruise, we experienced everything from 100 degree heat, to major humidity as you might imagine, to pretty violent squalls, to continuous rain, etc. With 24/7 use, never had a single problem with overheating, loss of power, loss of GPS position, etc. The only issue we ever had was intermittent loss of instrumentation/AIS data overlay from the iMux when in areas of heavy wifi interference. Almost never saw this issue offshore. At the end of our trip, I removed the iPad from the case to inspect if for any kind of moisture damage - nothing. Still going strong a year later.I used an Ipad 2 for a year without much trouble and then upgraded to an Ipad Pro because I'm kind of a digit head. It is better in the sunlight but I can't say I had much problem with the Ipad 2. I have no dodger or bimini and with tiller steering there is no good mounting place for a fixed plotter or the ipad. I keep my Iphone in my pocket running a different plotting app as a secondary backup. I tend to look at both during a trip. The one issue I have found is you can't let them get overheated or they will shut down. Mostly just keeping the ipad covered when not is use is good enough. I've never had an issue with the iphone in my pocket. To date, I've not dropped either one but recognize it as a possibility. I have the lifeproof case on both the Ipad and Iphone. I travel relatively benign areas of the Chesapeake Bay so YMMV.
But, alas, with the boys' schedules last summer we just weren't able to get the 6-week block of time needed to do that whole trip. So I thanked Jeff but had to decline the generous offer. I was seriously bummed.Hi Steve -
Okay, we can do a 60 day consignment. Can you please give me your address and phone number, so that I can ship it out to you.
Thanks,
Jeff
All of these functions are currently available on i-devices (with the radar being a "flip-screen" function currently - not yet split or overlay within iNavX like the others).When offshore key features are AIS, radar overlay ( or split screen view of radar and chart) and integration to autopilot. These functions are currently not possible to my knowledge on any pad.
I'm pretty sure the iPad apps are keyed to one's Apple ID. I know that's the case to get updates. I'm not sure what happens to them, if you buy a used iPad and sign on with your own Apple ID. Look into that before you buy a used app. I'm guessing you would have to be sure you never updated anything, not the operating system or the apps. These nav apps are cheap. I would focus on the used iPad (Apple sells them too) and buy the app.......already set up with maps FOR SALE......