Another 'what tablet' question.

[Quandary]

I use a laptop running Meridian Seatrak for most of my navigation, I also have Memory Map also with Admiralty charts on it, but use it simply to get access to the Antares Library ( I switch to MM, find my location on the Admiralty chart, then click on 'charts avalable' to find the appropriate Antares chart. (Crude but it works) However I am generally doing this in a close quarters situation so I had the idea of purchasing a tablet putting Memory Map and Antares on it with the option to use it on deck or in the cockpit.
So I need to choose a cheap laptop with GPS, my choice based on Which reports so far is a Samsung Galaxy tab A8, though a 10" version is not that much dearer, I like the portability of the smaller one. I have been in to John Lewis to look at both but realize that actual use and handling can be different in real life. I notice the specs no longer refer to GPS but my understanding is that it is only Amazon that does not have it?
So for use for this, what should I buy, is the 8" screen big enough and sharp enough? (Antares graphics are very simple with limited colours).

 

[scottie]

Have a word With London chart plotters they are most helpful
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...ers.com//RK=2/RS=qwDY2YoAE5I8qrUwNl4Pts5cGQw-

 

[LadyInBed]

Take advice from the other What Tablet thread!

 

[Quandary]

Take advice from the other What Tablet thread!

I tried that but found that it got side tracked into software very early without providing answers to the questions I was asking, I then thought that I might ask my questions on that thread but it had already departed a long way from the OPs question so (reluctantly) i decided to ask my own question, would it have annoyed you less if I had waited a week or two?
I know it is annoying but hoped someone might have the experience and generosity to answer my particular questions.

 

[Quandary]

Have a word With London chart plotters they are most helpful
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...ers.com//RK=2/RS=qwDY2YoAE5I8qrUwNl4Pts5cGQw-

Thanks, had a look and I will look some more, These are refurbished older models? Ruggedness, while desirable, was not a top priority as I intended to use this mainly as just an anchoring location aid and I was attracted by John Lewis offer of a free three year warranty. My wife uses a a 10" more expensive Galaxy model with keyboard and likes it well but I would prefer not to share in case I drop it in the water or down the compaionway, if it is bright, sometimes happens out here, I can look at it below the hood as my wife tends do a lot of the close quarters manouvreing while I handle the anchor and windlass.

 

[Tiercel]

Like you, I once used my PC for most navigation. Then I discoverd Tablets.

I'm a tightwad by nature so I've never really worried about the type of Android tablet I have used. I've had a very basic Samsung Galaxy 7" model since 2014. I got it free in a mobile phone deal in 2013. It runs Navionics with no problems. I use this on deck inside a waterproof case and handlebar fitting for use on a motorbike. It works fine so far. The only problem is when the sun is on the screen and makes it impossible to read. I also have a Samsung galaxy 8" model fitted by the nav table and an ancient refurbed (cost£50.00) ASUS Nexus 7" as a backup to the backup..

So far they have survived cruising in the Med, a trip home to Scotland from the Aegean and a further 2 years cruising on the West coast of Scotland. They are a dirt cheap, simple to use, alternative to the more expensive 'proper' chartplotters. The only issue is annual the cost of Navionics software. It used to be very cheap but seems to be escalating rapidly.

 

[LadyInBed]

I tried that but found that it got side tracked into software very early without providing answers to the questions I was asking, I then thought that I might ask my questions on that thread but it had already departed a long way from the OPs question so (reluctantly) i decided to ask my own question, would it have annoyed you less if I had waited a week or two?
I know it is annoying but hoped someone might have the experience and generosity to answer my particular questions.

I thought the first 13 posts (minus #9) answered your Q "So I need to choose a cheap laptop with GPS" but I grant you that it didn't answer "is the 8" screen big enough and sharp enough?"
In answer to that, there are a lot of dependants - Screen resolution, The type of screen technology, The state of your eyesight and the Resolution of charts if they are raster scan (not a problem with vector charts) - to name a few off the top of my head.
Hope that is more helpful.

 

[cpedw]

Just to add another complication ... Some Android tablets have a barometer function and can thus be a bit helpful with your weather forecasting. A Samsung Tab that I bought a year or 2 ago didn't have it and I was disappointed, having neglected to check on that detail.

Derek

 

[scottie]

I bought one 2018 from them with quark AIS and it all worked well but never got to use it in anger as I also had an IPad with navionics and never worked out how to get antarares on IPad due to problems with lap top
It was a new tablet they supplied and the lot cost under £180 all up including long term SIM card
The boat was sold at the start of the year so did not pursue
The main drawback was comparing the screen display with the IPAD which is probably not a fair
Comparison
The back up was excellent and if I we’re doing it again I would try going down the used IPAD route but that’s coz once you have used an IPAD you are spoilt

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XGODY-NE...hash=item36517f2683:m:mqnf4NV4nEjk_qBDaaxpCGQ
I have one of these; third year now on the boat; it's fast (faster than my Samsung Tab S), reliable, low cost, GPS, and it runs everything. Why others don't use it? is it because is cheap Chinese from eBay??? This particular make, XGody, is very well made.

 

[dunedin]

Definitely massively better using a tablet for Antares Charts than a laptop - much quicker to startup and can hold in hand whilst standing up doing the detailed pilotage. A cheap waterproof case also worthwhile for the very occasional dampness in Scotland!
You won’t go far wrong with a Samsung tablet - and digging deep in the “full specifications” confirms that, as you would expect, it comes with GPS https://www.samsung.com/uk/tablets/galaxy-taba-t290/SM-T290NZKABTU/
(Only Apple seem to be mean enough to deliver some expensive tablets without GPS).

I would expect that an 8 inch screen would be sufficient - certainly I have used Antares for navigation on my smallish Samsung phone, though generally use the 10inch iPad in preference.
So there may be cheaper options, but if you are comfortable with your other Samsung tablet why not stick with it.

 

[KompetentKrew]

(Only Apple seem to be mean enough to deliver some expensive tablets without GPS).

And Amazon Fire.

It is possible to use a bluetooth GPS puck if your tablet doesn't have one.

 

[[163233]]

I do apologise for diverting the previous thread.

Main features to look for:-
8" or more screen, I have a 10" and don't really need any bigger.
Ideally matt finish screen.
AMOLED displays are less good in sunlight.
If it doesn't have GPS built in (and all the others) then it's a bit old hat, you don't want to faff with add-ons.
Look for USB-C or some kind of dedicated power supply so it can charge significantly faster than it discharges.

You should get that lot for under 150 quid these days.

 

[Quandary]

I am down in Milton Keynes this week, babysitting while my daughter is cycling in Tenerife so I went in to John Lewis who directed me to the Samsung shop nearby, the lad in there gave me a Galaxy tabA 8" and 10" to play with and brought up Memory Map with some charts on both. I went for the 8" because to me it felt more comfortable to handle and I expect to be using it in the cockpit, the charts in the MM demo were much more detailed than Antares but readable in both. It was bright outside but I did not get to do a sunlight test as the showroom is on the mall. But I was well pleased with the demo and the ability of the assistant to find some marine charts for me.
So I bought the A8 from Samsung though if I had gone back to JL the price would have been the same (£136) but the warranty would have been a year longer. My wife paid for it out of our joint account and I have been told it is my Christmas present, though we normally just exchange charity donations.

I am grateful for the help I have received here and in the two shops today, seems to be a bargain price compared to proper boat stuff.
Case closed?

 

[Poignard]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XGODY-NE...hash=item36517f2683:m:mqnf4NV4nEjk_qBDaaxpCGQ
I have one of these; third year now on the boat; it's fast (faster than my Samsung Tab S), reliable, low cost, GPS, and it runs everything. Why others don't use it? is it because is cheap Chinese from eBay??? This particular make, XGody, is very well made.

That seems a Fantastic bargain . How is in sunlight?

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

That seems a Fantastic bargain . How is in sunlight?

In sunlight is the same as my very expensive Samsung Tab S; for the cost of £60 to £70, these 10.1 inch tablets are excellent value.

 

[Cardinal]

I find that the principal difficulty encountered using my iPad mini running Navionics and MM for Antares chartlets is the chaotic effect on the screen of raindrops or spray. This is especially the case with Navionics where the device seems to react as if I have pressed the screen to create a waypoint. I often have to close the device and dry it with a towel before opening up again to cancel the rain induced operation. In choosing a tablet I would favour any which have a screen which can be desensited to the effect of rain. I am told that later model iPads configured to be operated with apples pen have this desire able feature. Can anybody confirm this?

 

[Poignard]

In sunlight is the same as my very expensive Samsung Tab S; for the cost of £60 to £70, these 10.1 inch tablets are excellent value.

Thank you.

 

[Poignard]

I find that the principal difficulty encountered using my iPad mini running Navionics and MM for Antares chartlets is the chaotic effect on the screen of raindrops or spray. This is especially the case with Navionics where the device seems to react as if I have pressed the screen to create a waypoint. I often have to close the device and dry it with a towel before opening up again to cancel the rain induced operation. In choosing a tablet I would favour any which have a screen which can be desensited to the effect of rain. I am told that later model iPads configured to be operated with apples pen have this desire able feature. Can anybody confirm this?

I find a similar effect with my Samsung Galaxy. If you touch the screen with a wet finger little circles appear and the whole thing locks up.

 

[Cardinal]

I find a similar effect with my Samsung Galaxy. If you touch the screen with a wet finger little circles appear and the whole thing locks up.

This is such a fundamental problem that we really need to hear from someone who has tried either the iPad with the apple pen activated or any other tablet where you can avoid the problem of wet touch screens.