I have MX Mariner and Navionics Carib and Pacific on a Galaxy Tab A 10".
I'm blown away... Love it.
Have it a protective frame, also have a clear seal bag for it. Bought 10' cables to charge.

Have 2 Garmin plotters with charts, one a swing-out, but I bet I'll be on the Tab more than one of the plotters.

There are many people using tablets as their main plotter.

 

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.

 

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.

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 do get a tablet, make sure it has gps.
Some don't.

 

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.

 

Make sure it has a real GPS receiver built in. I just picked up a unlocked Galaxy Tab e 8 for like $100 on ebay to run navionics as a backup. I was also looking for a Asus Zenpad. Usually the ones that you can run a data from a wireless carrier has GPS. Google GPS specs to find out if its location service is GPS.

 

Tablets are great - either as a backup or a primary...

 

Bye - the zero sum poster is on this thread. Once again posting a cut and paste. Once again adding nothing from personal experience or knowledge. Once again trying to create an adversarial environment for his amusement. Although this may be functional in a tort case many have no interest in living like that. Our lives are not your court room where one wins and one loses. Rather we strive to cooperate with others freely admitting our ignorance where appropriate and sharing our experiences and knowledge.
I hope that the mods realize the number of people who leave this site due to the adversarial tenor created by SD.

 

I've needed to use my iPad as backup. My chartplotter got it's brains scrambled and flipped the chart 180 degrees. Weirdest think I ever saw. It showed my vessel pointed the opposite direction and all commands were backwards. Once powered down and backup, it never did this again.

In any event, I was motoring out of an unmarked cove in Maine, where we had snaked our way back into one of the nicest, most secluded anchorages I've ever been in. Rocks and depths were on the plotter and iPad, but you still motored at 1-2kts with a keen lookout on the bow.

My iPad was open and had the entry crumb trail on it, so I just followed it back out. I could not go below to power everything down in the moment.

There are several nav apps for the iPad and I can't review them all. As a backup, I'm very pleased with Charts and Tides. It does primary navigation, with the added bonus of having the entire ActiveCaptain database downloaded into it. I use it way more often for AC than I do for nav, although, I will do some passage planning with it too (ie measure distances, check for anchorages, etc). I chose it initially, because it's relatively inexpensive. Although, even the most expensive nav app isn't too pricey.

I also have an old school handheld gps aboard that does nothing more than give Lat/Long. Trying to think of the last time I checked to see if it works.

 

Rocks and depths were on the plotter and iPad, but you still motored at 1-2kts with a keen lookout on the bow.

My iPad was open and had the entry crumb trail on it, so I just followed it back out. I could not go below to power everything down in the moment.

The key part of your success in this story was you had your IPAD running on the way into the anchorage, wise move, which is why you had the bread crumbs to help get you out. If your Ipad is down below and turned off it wouldn't of helped you in a Primary nav failure.

There are several nav apps for the iPad and I can't review them all. As a backup, I'm very pleased with Charts and Tides. It does primary navigation, with the added bonus of having the entire ActiveCaptain database downloaded into it. I use it way more often for AC than I do for nav, although, I will do some passage planning with it too (ie measure distances, check for anchorages, etc). I chose it initially, because it's relatively inexpensive. Although, even the most expensive nav app isn't too pricey.

To me this is where the IPAD really shines. It allows you to be an armchair navigator and trip planner when away from the boat. It allows you to plan your trip from home or over a beer or dinner at the dockside pub. It also works really well as an IPAD, so it's great to have onboard.

Because of it's sensitivity I consider an IPAD third in line for navigation behind my mounted GPS/charts, and handheld GPS.

Wow, just went back to read some of where this thread devolved into. Now I feel bad for contributing to this thread or in any way my actions may have continued it's existence.

 

The common issue with using many tablets outdoors is that many have displays that totally wash out on anything but the cloudiest of days. Perhaps some of those tactical sunglasses might help (the one's you see on TV where they amaze folks with what appears to be a washed out white screen which has a colorful pic of an Eagle and the American Flag popping out at you when you put their glasses on) with that however if you have trouble viewing the screen on a device out in your yard or outside in a parking lot it likely will be trouble on the water too during the daylight hours.

Something to consider when deciding about using a device (CellPhone/Tablet) as a plotter/navigation aid primary or backup. I have with some made shadow boxes out of flat black plastic and such to help resolve this when using some devices on my motorcycle but that by no means was the perfect solution.

 

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.

 

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.

On the brightness/visibility issue, we found exactly the same as you. It just wasn't a problem. We do have a bimini which obviously helps quite a bit - both in terms of glare, but also I'm sure in terms of heat.

So - that is our first-hand, tried-and-tested, personal experience. I'm a fan.

 

I don't use all the complex features of a network plotter. I do enter a single waypoint to determine heading info... course to steer and so on.

I began with a small hand held Garmin PDS gps plotter iQue. I founf it's heading line was all I really needed... and I could take the thing in my pocket to land... it had street nave and so on. Very cool.

I picked up a B&G plotter which has replaced the little iQue in the cockpit. Then came Navionics app for my smart phone. That's more than enough. The tablet has it as well... but I prefer the smaller format/hand held or a larger fixed mount marine plotter. So I have both... actually several small format plotters.

For me it's all about positional awareness... depths and observing my course line over the bottom to a chose destination. I find the small format OK and the inconvenience of the tablet is not worth the screen size increase.

 

I have a laptop with OpenCPN;
iPad
Android phone
Garmin 76CX hand held plotter

The difficulty with all this stuff is keeping the expen$e of the charts down.

iPad I am using Navionics but I do NOT update the software as that will cut your charts off after 12 months.
Android phone I use Navionics but just their world map.
Garmin 76CX is quite old and I got the world DVD on my laptop and can transfer charts. But again they are just the basic charts.

If the main kit falls apart I need to be quite careful and get to a port and fix the main nav, the Laptop.

 

As an add-on to the above, I'd planned to also add the Furuno 1st Watch radar to our boat - which gives you high-quality wireless radar directly on the iPad (and any other i-device).

After contacting the Advertising & Communications Manager at Furuno about our set-up and the fact that I wanted to do a review via our blog and Youtube channel, he generously offered a demo unit for evaluation/review for what was to be our FL-Carib run last summer...

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

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.

I look forward to seeing some real, first-hand reviews from people who are actually using it for extended periods of time in varying conditions. It's super cool tech...and really rounds out what is an incredibly powerful, affordable, and redundant i-device nav system.

In any case, I won't hesitate to go this route on our next boat.

Cheers.

 

As an add-on to the above, I'd planned to also add the Furuno 1st Watch radar to our boat - which gives you high-quality wireless radar directly on the iPad (and any other i-device).

After contacting the Advertising & Communications Manager at Furuno about our set-up and the fact that I wanted to do a review via our blog and Youtube channel, he generously offered a demo unit for evaluation/review for what was to be our FL-Carib run last summer...

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.

I look forward to seeing some real, first-hand reviews from people who are actually using it for extended periods of time in varying conditions. It's super cool tech...and really rounds out what is an incredibly powerful, affordable, and redundant i-device nav system.

In any case, I won't hesitate to go this route on our next boat.

Cheers.

Here we go again on the Furuno wireless radar thing. Posting untested equipment.

Not tested yet. So SD shills for it and says he was offered one to test for free...not good and certainly not unbiased. Even copy and pastes their commercial sales pitch. Danger is a sailor may mistake that for an actual user with firsthand experience. We seem not to have anyone yet.

Kriss we use a Raymarine system at the helm which bluetooths into our I pad to it as the backup.
We also have I phones which also have Navionics should there be an emu pulse from a North Korean nuke?. Course they would have had to been off when the burst occurred.

Obviously I am a big fan of an I pad , however I like the idea of a direct wired Plotter where I don't have to worry about it being charged and is made for use in the weather. ( glare, rain etc.) . Plotter prices now a days is even less than new ipads.

The nice thing about theI pad being bluetoothed is we can stay under the dodger on a long offshore trip. And see what the Chartplotter behind the helm sees. Also can take it below. On,y thing is their is no radar.

The plotter is a multi ingrated interface and can superimpose the radar on the chart also which can be very helpful. Also no real time AIS can be received on the I Pad like it can on the plotter.

As of yet there is no tested radar real time on I pads that I know of. Even when the day comes and I'm sure it will eventually, I will use the pad to show me what's on the integrated plotter as we do now.

In the event of failure of the plotter we will alwYs have multiple electronic backups as well as actual paper charts. We sail both on the Chesapeake and offshore. Offshore we use the paper charts below and plot our position on them every hour in case of electrical failure.

Understand I am not saying not to use the IPad for navigating however for our type of sailing, it doesn't have the flexibility , robust footprint to meet our needs. Currently it has a few limitations. My wife ( or I ) love the ability to hang out while not at the helm and see, plot, and analyze our current situation. Also it has allowed her to learn navigation and plotting over the years.

I think your plan of using your I pad as a backup and a carry below flexibility to charge is a great and prudent idea.

 

Have an entirely different take on this. Most consider off shore to be beyond helicopter range. Most consider near shore to be out of site of land but within helicopter range. Trip alluded to above would consider near shore. 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. Note possible wireless connectivity to radar but after hearing about difficulties with simple wind instruments outputting to screens have concerns at present. Understand possibilities of AIS showing on screen. We had a splitter on vhf antenna for AIS. Didn’t like signal nor acquisition times for details. Therefore got rid of splitter and set up dedicated antenna with much improvement. Believe nature of this beast and my desire to see ships/boats with all details at at least 12nm. or better neither a pad nor current handhelds match performance of dedicated chart plotter/AIS systems. Have had multiple occasions where my sending my AIS information has been extremely helpful. Multiple occasions transiting the East River in NYC or entering/leaving the cheasepeake where this has resulted in a brief pleasant chat with a commercial or military operator and a safe no stress interaction. It’s also pleasant for that cruise ship to just call you up to say hi. Let you know they see you and you can hold course. Particularly like this when I’m not on deck.
Ability to close companionway and stand single handed watch without need to go below to look at a laptop is helpful.
Went through several days of repetitive constant rain and intermittent squalls. Therefore had one stand watch with second in cockpit to help if needed and boat buttoned up. Just sitting under the hard dodger waiting for possible need to help is boring so crew brought up his pad in a lifeproof to read, game and periodically look at the navionics he had running. By day two of this it died.
On a different trip which was coastal crew had encased pad in his hand as he left quarterberth going to nav station. Wave jerked him and pad struck corner of nav station desk caught between that and his thigh. It was toast in spite of the case.
Know people have crossed oceans with nothing more than sexton. They’ve made landfalls with nothing more than a lead line. But further know having everything at hand in front of you when you’re tired and stressed is a blessing.
I don’t even like touch screens as sole mechanism of input for navigation. I realize they have come a long way in recent years. I currently have touch screens but with keyed backup. To date with recent b&g, RM and Garmin found you need to take off your glove or if enough ?static?wet it may take several attempts or not work even then. Had occasion in thick Maine fog and miserable cold drizzle where this was quite an annoyance.
So understand the attraction of using a device you’re well familiar with and is much less expensive. Believe this is a route that is reasonable for many. But continue to believe when you need the information NOW and when it must work every time and it allows full integration to other ship systems chart plotters and multiple small displays are worth the additional expense.
So returning to the OP not being distracted by thoughts of what to use as the primary yes a pad is a reasonable backup. But if you’re likely to be in prolonged adverse conditions you can get a dedicated nav handheld for the same or less money avoiding the inconveniences, limitations and vulnerabilities of a pad.

 

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.

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).

Good luck on your hunt kriss.

 

Yes, it is just a backup system. Thank you all for very informative posts. If anyone has a used tablet already set up with maps FOR SALE, I would be very interested. Here is your chance to upgrade!

 

......already set up with maps FOR SALE......

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.

On another point, the reason I stay consistent with both an iPad and iPhone is so these apps automatically work across both devices at no additional charge (within the same Apple ID). Some apps are only written for one or the other platform, but most work on both.

 

These navigational apps... do they still work on your tablet even if you have no cellular signal? I need something which is not dependent on the cellular signal and would buy maps (like Navionics) to work with the GPS device inside the tablet. We are leaving US (New Orleans) towards end of May, for Panama and later Hawaii and Indonesia. Boat has a chart plotter but I want a solid backup system. I will also have a Garmin inReach for communications. No cell phone.

 

Most definately. The Navionics is downloaded into the I pad and the GPS of the Pad finds the boat position real time using the sattelites. I would in your case also follow along your position with paper charts.

Having the radar and real time AIS signatures on the Chartplotter of the large ships while on these extended off shore passages you are taking is a great safety function.

 

Thanks for the info, chef. Yes, we are taking paper charts as well and will plot positions. The captain is old school guy but not too much offshore experience, mostly coastal sailing on his boat (54' steel Bruce Roberts). I'm just helping him on this passage. We will have a crew of 4. Boat has radar and chart plotter.

 

R

Wish I was headed with you. Sounds like you have the bases covered.
Post if you can your adventure - successes and challenges

Love hearing first hand experience, that's how most of us can trust what we are seeing.

 

So your pad sends out your AIS signal? Or do you have a separate AIS transceiver? What’s the interface?

 

You can find all the first-hand-experience-based information you need on my blog and Youtube videos.

kriss - let me know if you have any other specific questions. I'm happy to help. Have a great time on your trip! Sail Big and stay safe!

 

I am maybe not astute enough to understand this Daddy so can you explain. I can’t sift through you myriad of blogs.
There are two of us now who don’t understand so instead of sending us away to a blog, can you briefly explain. It would be greatly appreciated by others I am sure.

I have I NavX with the Navionics feature on the i pad. Without any further fees I can get live AIS receive/ transponder info in real time.

If I have an IPad off shore 200 mikes where there is no cell phone signals
You are saying by using the I pad I can track REAL Time data from a freighter 15 miles away?

Real time in this case means on my current Chartplotter with integrated AIS that I see him to the second where he is and he sees me. We both can see with no lag time course as well as speed of each other. When he changes 10 degrees I don’t wait for that to go to some data system. It displays directly in real time.

If so I need to try this.

 

I have an iPad Mini with no built in GPS. I use a Garmin GLO connecting via Bluetooth to the iPad and iSailor for software. I love iSailor. I know people complain about the costs, but for what it does, I think it's amazing and you can add in various pieces beyond the charts (weather, places of interest, etc) as you need them. The charts seem to match the NOAA ones well. I also keep paper charts, often with a plot going; I like practicing the skills needed.

Everyone worries about splash but my iPad in the standard Apple cover has never has a problem (I sail an Alberg 35). The one problem I have had is having it in the sun leading to overheating and then shut down.

iSailor also works on the iPhone and I use it there as well, which serves as a backup (Garmin GLO can serve up to 4 devices).

Like any complex program, it took me a while to learn to manipulate iSailor'ss user interface. But once you learn its particular way of doing things, it begins to make sense and it's a great option for navigation.

I've never used Navionics or iNavx; lots of people seem to like them, I really don't have an opinion.

OpenCPN is great. It doesn't run on an iPad. But it's possible to run it on another computer, Raspberry PI for example, and use a VPN connection to see it on an iPad. HOnestly? I find that on the whole a clunky solution EXCEPT for one thing: I'm about to get a VHF radio that outputs AIS And GPS. I plan to run these to a laptop using OpenCPN. It would be nice to figure out how to get the AIS on the iPad.

 

I love iSailor. I know people complain about the costs, but for what it does, I think it's amazing and you can add in various pieces beyond the charts (weather, places of interest, etc) as you need them. The charts seem to match the NOAA ones well.

Thanks for the info. So what are the costs involved, besides the obvious cost of an iPad (I would get one with a built in GPS and cellular data option)?

 

Chef/out - I'm sorry, I'm not interested in doing this again with you guys. I'm more than happy to help new people around here as needed in areas where I have something to offer - but the posts above make it clear that some of the same group of dudes are just trying to spin everything up again. I won't play. You'll just have to sift - or wait.

I'm sure you understand. Later.

 

Thanks smacks,

That answer should also show the newbies you purport to be helping exactly that you are stuck on your own agenda

Unwilling to answer questions ur even admit there are issues with what you propose

Even if you had this capability on your sold boat. The answers show a lot of complexity jury rigged and we all know the issues of differening equipment talking to each other especially when not matched

I would bet the average sailor on SN here doesn't want to have a Rube Goldberg designed system when they can purchase as reasonable MFD chartplotter for cheap now adays and integrate radar, ais in a plug and play mode. Not to mention the charging and Vison issues

As far as cost the I pad cost is similar nowadays

To the newbies, I have an I pad as backup and love it

However I recognize
That if I want to make it multifunctional it will require a whiole confusing mismatched parts to work as well as downloading different programs hoping they talk to each other. . I wonder whether most of you want to continually mess with that. I'd rather spend my time sailing and enjoying the water then becoming an electronics computer sleuth.

For those who use an I pad for your principal form of navigation as it meets your basic sailing needs. It's a great piece of electronics , but you do need a backup plan when it fails or runs out of juice . Or even gets hacked / spammed. Like some of us are now by using this Sailnet site. Redundancy is important. Redundancy not reaching its solutions exactly the same is a good cross check

As a current boat owner with active boating experience I still recommend a solution with a uncomplicated MFD chartplotter and an I pad as it's backup.

 

Thank you

 

Seems from what you’re saying you can achieve a patched together system requiring you to understand what’s under the hood (your words) that approaches the capabilities of a dedicated plug and play hard wired system for about the same money but still not optimized for the stresses of full time cruising. On the rare occasions the chart plotter system fails to work its easier to diagnose and get service if required even in foreign waters. Until that occurs it’s nice to just turn that one off, move the micro sd card to a new master and carry on.
Although my iPhone can do everything my integrated car gps does I use the one in the car when driving not the phone. Interesting that to date if you go on any commercial craft or hard core racer or long term cruiser power or sail even if newly commissioned you’re not likely to see them following SDs advice. When your have the stakes this high and people have developed dedicated systems optimized for this use in this environment if you don’t have the desire to make a point or be a celebrity you will likely decide to go with one of the existing vendors.
Often you’re given this choice. Some people make their own water makers. Many work fine and give good service. Many use Honda gas generators with success. However most still install branded watermakers and branded marine generators. For systems that have such an impact the multiple advantages of the machine created for that purpose in that environment out weigh the diy.
We have open cpn running on the tough book. Both iPads are integrated to the chart plotters as are both iPhones. They also have navionics on them. Still carry a small handheld Garmin, paper charts and use the chart plotters in preference.
I’m pleased that pad navigation has taken off. It’s driven the chart plotter vendors to improve their offerings and hold to a price point. The innovation and dramatic increase in ease of use and useful features is pleasing. Perhaps pads will have better screens, be suitably hardened, be plug and play with no need to look under the hood in the future. Seems to me then they will be chart plotters Oh My....

 

Yes, putting a full blown system together like the one we had requires some basic technical knowledge. But it's really not that hard if you can follow directions and have the desire to do it. That's why I'm taking the time to share my experience on this with those who are actually interested.

Alternatively, if one doesn't want to be bothered (or antagonistic), one can pay 5X-30X+ the cost (nowhere near the "same money") - and still have limitations. Their call.

As for who uses tablets and whether they are up to the rigors of the ocean, I'm not sure where you're looking, but here's Ian Walker using one during the VOR...

I've heard he's a pretty good sailor - in the ocean - pretty far from shore. Tablets were also all over the AC in the past couple of iterations.

Here's the article that the photo of Ian's is from with this snippet (specific to racing, but you get the idea)...

Bringing the navigator on deck and into inshore fleet racing was once the domain of the America's Cup until the advent of deck screens. Deck screens have been common for some years now in professional racing such as the TP52 class. However, new technology has lowered the cost of implementation. These days it is not unusual to see club racers using deck screens to increase their starting accuracy and to take advantage of tactical navigation software such as Expedition, Deckman and Adrena.

Just what are the options for a club racer who wants to use software on deck to help make smarter decisions?

Broadly speaking there are three methods that can be implemented, each varying in cost, complexity, and advantages. Which method is right for you boat largely depends on your budget, but also the tasks you want to achieve on deck.

Tablet only set-up

A quick search on the internet for deck screen set-ups will reveal many "Apps" that run on low cost iOS or Android tablets. The saying "there's an app for that" has never rung truer in sailing. The most common set-up in this category is a tablet with built-in GPS running an app that tracks the boat.

Again, I have no interest in trying to change your mind, out - or anyone else in your brood, so I won't continue this. You guys use what you like. I fully support you in living in whatever world you want to live in. I really don't care.

I'll just correct misstatements, etc. as I've done above when I feel it's needed...and continue to answer questions from those who are actually interested in having a real conversation about the realities of this very cool, very affordable tech.

 

There’s no question tablets are useful tools on a boat. We use them routinely as well as the laptop. However continue to use all the tools available that aid safety and lower stress. On passage it’s easy to have crew get comfortable with the chart plotter but difficult for them to get comfortable with some of the stuff on the laptop. They don’t have issues with the iPad and commonly folks bring their pads and use them. However the boat and the log runs off the chart plotter. That’s what’s used by whoever is on watch. Have had several crew who run their personal boats off a pad. Surprisingly they have commented they like running the boat off the chart plotters.
Appreciate the article about INSHORE racing you alluded too. Delightful and useful tools for the tactician and deck screens most helpful to crew.
Understand virtually all offshore racers are using laptops or powerful pads to optimize vmg, help with weather routing and they are de rigor if you want to be competitive but still believe for cruising there remains a place for plotters being the primary navigation aid. Like you I have no desire to change your mind. I’m fortunate in seeing the hi tech stuff coming out of neb time to time. Still seeing b&g and the like being put on those boats. Similarly have friends running commercial and research vessels. Once again plotters are being installed at the helms. Yes, everyone is using pads but as supplemental resources.