Chartplotter or Ipad?

[markc]

Year before last, before I had the new Axiom plotter on the FB I used my iPad - it kept overheating from the sun. So now it gets used to plan routes then upload to the the plotter. Good for a back-up, especially when not hot

 

[NormanB]

I would like to have an ipad with a waterproof cover.

Well buy one - Lifeproof are a good make but not cheap.

 

[jcwads]

How much are you going to rely on the solution? If it all gets a bit grim, are you comfortable with the outcome being based in a tablet?
I think tablets are a great extra, for lounging about with a beer planning the next trip.
I wouldn't like to be off some headland in deteriorating seas and relying on a tablet.
If budget is a consideration, you might find some second hand stuff about as people upgrade ...just check the cost of chart coverage.
On a plotter with a transducer you will also get live depth readings.

I agree with that. I use my iPad knowing I have my main chartplotter there as the constant. I suppose it depends on your boat set up. I have an old Raymarine C70 so small screen. The cost to upgrade is pretty big, so using the iPad gives me a big screen. But I use the Raymarine as a sense of comfort that all is correct.

 

[Hardmy]

I've got a chartplotter on the fly but I much more prefer to use the iPad (in its waterproof enclosure). The charts are always kind of up to date and it's so easy to plan a passage. But I overheated my iPad many times, hence I try to hide it under a towel. Not a smart solution though. As a safety net, sometime I enter a couple of waypoints in the Raymarine Plotter if a tricky passage is to be expected...

 

[RupertW]

How much are you going to rely on the solution? If it all gets a bit grim, are you comfortable with the outcome being based in a tablet?
I think tablets are a great extra, for lounging about with a beer planning the next trip.
I wouldn't like to be off some headland in deteriorating seas and relying on a tablet.
If budget is a consideration, you might find some second hand stuff about as people upgrade ...just check the cost of chart coverage.
On a plotter with a transducer you will also get live depth readings.

I'm completely happy and would still happily sail without the iPad either in pretty much any conditions - the iPad has provided convenience at the chart table for the last 3 years of 40 years sailing but knowing exactly where you are is really needed very rarely and you are unlikely to be that close to an invisible obstacle in nasty weather unless you are very foolhardy.

I think it depends whether sailing with a chartplotter is something you grew up with or not, and although I downloaded Navionics onto my existing iPad just as an experiment, I have enjoyed (but not really needed) the convenience of dropping my head into the cabin and seeing where we are.

EDIT: Just realised I was posting on the Mobo forum - I might well think differently about leaving the boat on autohelm for 30 seconds to look into the cabin for double check the iPad on the chart table if I was doing 20 knots rather than my normal 5 knots sailing. I suspect I would have been converted to a chartplotter always visible to the helm - again not actually necessary but very nice to have.

 

[maby]

I've got a chartplotter on the fly but I much more prefer to use the iPad (in its waterproof enclosure). The charts are always kind of up to date and it's so easy to plan a passage. But I overheated my iPad many times, hence I try to hide it under a towel. Not a smart solution though. As a safety net, sometime I enter a couple of waypoints in the Raymarine Plotter if a tricky passage is to be expected...

The charts on your tablet are only up-to-date if you pay the subscription - they can be equally up-to-date on the plotter if you pay a subscription for that! I have both Navionics and Garmin on my phone and use that for passage planning, sitting in the comfort of the pub or my living room, but I have a decent plotter on the boat and could not imagine relying on a tablet or phone for navigation at sea.I'm planning on installing a second plotter at the other helm this spring. On previous boats I have installed a third down below at the nav table, but these days you can relay the plotter screen from the helm to a tablet over wifi, so I don't think I will bother any more. I was surprised on a passage recently to find my emails being displayed on the plotter at the helm - a new Garmin feature that they have not publicised too much!

 

[Hardmy]

The charts on your tablet are only up-to-date if you pay the subscription - they can be equally up-to-date on the plotter if you pay a subscription for that! I have both Navionics and Garmin on my phone and use that for passage planning, sitting in the comfort of the pub or my living room, but I have a decent plotter on the boat and could not imagine relying on a tablet or phone for navigation at sea.I'm planning on installing a second plotter at the other helm this spring. On previous boats I have installed a third down below at the nav table, but these days you can relay the plotter screen from the helm to a tablet over wifi, so I don't think I will bother any more. I was surprised on a passage recently to find my emails being displayed on the plotter at the helm - a new Garmin feature that they have not publicised too much!

I have 3 plotters on my boat. 1 fly and 2 at the helm below. They are always in use during passages. However, the charts are on SD cards and I don't buy new ones every year. I agree, it's not 100% perfect, but chart updates in Greece are quite seldom and I not unhappy about the fact that my nav gear is not connected to the Internet, even indirectly via a tablet. I think I wouldn't be happy if emails start to clutter my plotter display!

 

[gjgm]

I'm completely happy and would still happily sail without the iPad either in pretty much any conditions - the iPad has provided convenience at the chart table for the last 3 years of 40 years sailing but knowing exactly where you are is really needed very rarely and you are unlikely to be that close to an invisible obstacle in nasty weather unless you are very foolhardy.

I think it depends whether sailing with a chartplotter is something you grew up with or not, and although I downloaded Navionics onto my existing iPad just as an experiment, I have enjoyed (but not really needed) the convenience of dropping my head into the cabin and seeing where we are.

EDIT: Just realised I was posting on the Mobo forum - I might well think differently about leaving the boat on autohelm for 30 seconds to look into the cabin for double check the iPad on the chart table if I was doing 20 knots rather than my normal 5 knots sailing. I suspect I would have been converted to a chartplotter always visible to the helm - again not actually necessary but very nice to have.

Ah yes...the 5 or 6 times multiple on speed can change things! Also, dare I say, things can be a bit more physical on a smaller mobo in rougher seas than a sailing boat, in terms of being chucked about I mean.