Dash mounted Ipad

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crazy4557

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I've thought about mounting my Ipad on the dashboard of my boat to use as my primary navigation source. I rarely need charts/chartplotter around the Solent as I tend to stick to 'known' routes etc and local knowledge. My Raymarine screen's small and my eyesight's pretty rubbish once it's been blasted with 25knots head on breeze for a while.
But, I would like to upgrade my Raymarine plotter and an Ipad with a bigger clearer screen seems a cheap way especially with the highly rated Navionics app.

Anyone think this a good idea as a primary source or do you reckon only a back up?

Almost as important, is there such a thing as as a dashboard mounting kit so I can attach/remove it from my dash when finished? If nothing's around can someone hurry up and invent one please :encouragement:
 
One of these would mount it no problem but doesn't address the water issue if its an outside helm. Single circular mounting disc about 50mm (on the dash) and the backing case clips onto the ipad and clicks onto the base in about 2 seconds, not sure if it would stand up to heavy seas though

http://www.vogelsringo.com/

Personally I wouldn't rely on the ipad for primary source, sunlight on screen, battery drain etc
 
Scanstrut do an iPad case, and you can buy a mounting bracket for it. I bought one but it's fatally flawed because it's a nightmare to fit the case, then you need to remove it each time you want to charge the iPad.

I believe they have now modified it so you can charge the iPad in the case

The case and bracket are sitting here doing nothing if you want to take them and give it a try.
 
Nick_H said:
Scanstrut do an iPad case, and you can buy a mounting bracket for it. I bought one but it's fatally flawed because it's a nightmare to fit the case, then you need to remove it each time you want to charge the iPad.

I believe they have now modified it so you can charge the iPad in the case

The case and bracket are sitting here doing nothing if you want to take them and give it a try.
Click to expand...
The main problem imho is sunlight visibility and wider n2k integration. I am happy with Garmin gear as the main nav system then the recent app which allows the Garmins to be repeat-viewed and controlled from the ipad, but the iPad is very much secondary
 
jfm said:
The main problem imho is sunlight visibility and wider n2k integration. I am happy with Garmin gear as the main nav system then the recent app which allows the Garmins to be repeat-viewed and controlled from the ipad, but the iPad is very much secondary
Click to expand...

Agreed. Also works well with Raymarine, using their excellent software.
The only time I used my iPad as a plotter, the mother in law popped up on face time, whilst navigating Bardsey sound!

Great down below (the Ipad) and as a back up
 
I use my iPad with imray charts as a back up and always below decks. I am going to have to use it as my primary this summer unless someone decides to put up a CMap card for the Ionian in the next couple of months. (Can't afford to buy new) If I was to bring it up to the helm I would make my own waterproof cover to mount. Easy enough either with 6mm marine ply or 4mm polycarbonate. The cover would need a sun shade which could be folded down to completely cover the screen when not in use.
What I have noted is how quickly the airborne salt deposits and dries on the screen so a ready supply of plastic screen covers would be needed.
 
I use one of these. "Engineered for the military" apparently, but whatever it's made for it's very good.

http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/

The one sucker and arm mechanism can be used for different docks, too, so you could use it for your iPhone in the car, for example.
 
I have an iPad with Navionics and C-MAP and Garmiin software. Use it for planning and as a backup. Lowrance HDS a primary - again Navionics, this one in Platinum version.

My iPad is indoors, fitted in holder that is VESA compliant hence will hold standard flatscreens if need be. I added an anti-glare film to the screen as it was else merely a mirror (and I don't need to see myself all the time :))
I'm using a Bluetooth keyboard (Logitech) to keep the full screen available to charts (obviously no touch screen keyboard). Even provide for a dregree of remote control.
 
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Raymarine e7 the ipad can be connected via Wifi as a remote screen
Also bought the Life edge waterproof case and dash mount
Rarely use the case as major agg to fit it
But the ipad will only last for about 9 hours as it is on all the time
And have Navionics as a back up and for plotting the route in the pub
 
jfm said:
The main problem imho is sunlight visibility and wider n2k integration. I am happy with Garmin gear as the main nav system then the recent app which allows the Garmins to be repeat-viewed and controlled from the ipad, but the iPad is very much secondary
Click to expand...

Can you give an idea of what this is called and also is it available for android?
 
My experience with an IPad is that the screen isn't bright enough to use in cockpit/outside on those rare bright days when the sun shines, so I now only use it as a back up below on the chart table.
 
I seem distantly to remember a thread about the GPS on Ipads.. interesting to start with and then I think my elbow gave way... Gludy, maybe. Anyway, I think the gist was concerning the dubious accuracy. Might have been earlier Ipad versions, but the point was that "accuracy" meant understanding how that is calculated. I think it could be alarmingly way off...ie, ok for a roguh guess, but dont use it here !
https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=&q=...F-8&ei=nur8Ut_6AsfY4QT9toCQDw&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg
 
gjgm said:
I seem distantly to remember a thread about the GPS on Ipads.. interesting to start with and then I think my elbow gave way... Gludy, maybe. Anyway, I think the gist was concerning the dubious accuracy. Might have been earlier Ipad versions, but the point was that "accuracy" meant understanding how that is calculated. I think it could be alarmingly way off...ie, ok for a roguh guess, but dont use it here !
https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=&q=...F-8&ei=nur8Ut_6AsfY4QT9toCQDw&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg
Click to expand...

As regards accuracy the output lat/long numbers from IPad have never varied significantly from the output of the 'proper' outputs from my 3 other GPS sources.

The cartography may be another matter though.
 
Vara said:
As regards accuracy the output lat/long numbers from IPad have never varied significantly from the output of the 'proper' outputs from my 3 other GPS sources.

The cartography may be another matter though.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think the discussion got rather theoretical and I probably stopped paying attention, but the usual "within XX distance" didnt mean at all what I thought it meant- ie, a central point.Added to that, even within this claimed accuracy, you could still have something WAY off.. I mean, many metres away.
Anyway, this may be no different on a tablet to anything else and it might all be far better now though. It just made me a bit wary of relying too much on a tablet for close-in work. Perhaps, unfairly.
 
I have the iPad connected to the e7 as mentioned above a fantastic bit of kit, I have a iPad clamped with a windscreen mount one of those things with a foam pad and you pull a lever that clamps it. Yes if water was to come in it could be an issue but in 2 seasons I've not had any, I was more concerned the banging would dislodge the iPad but to date this has not happened. The first month I placed a cushion under it just in case it fell but it never did.
I never had a sun issue with mine and as it's on wifi the wife can check routes etc on hers as well
 
Less likely to overheat here! If I can find a dash mount that it can slot into then I think its viable according to the feedback here. I don't really need 100% accuracy as most of my cruising is coastal in known waters. I'd like to get to the Channel Islands this year so it would be handy for that trip.
If I find a dash mount I'll let you know how I get on.
If it doesn't work then maybe I won't be able to let you all know, I could be lost mid atlantic somewhere:eek:
 
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