HUDL as a Chart Plotter - How?

[rosie]

My knowledge of computing devices stops at PCs.I don't have a smart phone and I have no knowledge whatsoever about tablets and their operating systems. I use paper charts and a GPS for navigation, but I think it is time to catch up with the world. I believe the HUDL can be adapted for use as a chart plotter and if so I would be grateful for advice on how to proceed, preferably in non-technical language!.
Dave

 

[causeway]

Navionics do several apps which should do the trick nicely. Other apps are available but I can't remember their names right now. You should be able to find them in 'Google play' the appstore on your tablet.

The one I use is called 'UK and Holland'. Try searching for that.

 

[nigelmercier]

Does the HUDL have GPS?

 

[TSB240]

Does the HUDL have GPS?

yes

 

[nigelmercier]

I hadn't realised it has GPS, that's excellent. There's a new model coming out in September, so they may start discounting them.

 

[Dipper]

Does the HUDL have GPS?

Yes. It's built in so doesn't need internet access.

I'm like Dave. No smart phone and until I bought the Hudl, I too had never used a tablet.

I downloaded MX Mariner charts. These are Admiralty charts and the Region 2 area I bought covers from the Wash round to the north coast of Cornwall including the Channel Islands and French coast. They cost under £5 but there was also another four pounds something added for the program to install them. The download included over 300 charts.

Navionics would be an alternative.

There's a useful free GPS app called GPS Test that gives position, speed etc.

The Hudl's screen is not quite bright enough in direct sun but it is still visible.

 

[Daydream believer]

My knowledge of computing devices stops at PCs.I don't have a smart phone and I have no knowledge whatsoever about tablets and their operating systems. I use paper charts and a GPS for navigation, but I think it is time to catch up with the world. I believe the HUDL can be adapted for use as a chart plotter and if so I would be grateful for advice on how to proceed, preferably in non-technical language!.
Dave

Sounds like you would be better off with a Yeoman chart plotter
great piece of kit- & you can use all your existing charts

 

[ghostlymoron]

Sounds a lot simpler than the ipad ! The simple question of 'GPS yes or no' generated pages of discussion on here.

 

[Dipper]

My knowledge of computing devices stops at PCs.I don't have a smart phone and I have no knowledge whatsoever about tablets and their operating systems. I use paper charts and a GPS for navigation, but I think it is time to catch up with the world. I believe the HUDL can be adapted for use as a chart plotter and if so I would be grateful for advice on how to proceed, preferably in non-technical language!.
Dave

I've just noticed where you keep your boat. The MX Mariner charts are fine for approaches to the French coast but I can't see any large scale port charts. In that case the Navionics app will be better. Perhaps someone who has installed Navionics on a Hudl could comment.

As for technical difficulty, all you do is go to the Google Play Store (one click), search for the app and download it (after paying). It should install itself automatically.

 

[Bilgediver]

I hadn't realised it has GPS, that's excellent. There's a new model coming out in September, so they may start discounting them.

Tesco were d0ing 2 for one on vouchers so you could get discount that way.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Digressing slightly. I've got the Navionics app on my smart phone. Im wondering whether i can temporarily unload it to free up internal memory and then load it back foc at a later date.

 

[TSB240]

Digressing slightly. I've got the Navionics app on my smart phone. Im wondering whether i can temporarily unload it to free up internal memory and then load it back foc at a later date.

You should have no problem as your app purchase is retained in Google Play. All you need to do on any phone or tablet is to go to the google play site and look at your My apps. It will show which ones are installed and which ones you have paid for but not installed. This should work even if you temporarily unload off your phone.

 

[nigelmercier]

You should have no problem as your app purchase is retained in Google Play...

But this is Navionics, I'm sure they will have found a way to make you pay again. Barstewards.

 

[TSB240]

But this is Navionics, I'm sure they will have found a way to make you pay again. Barstewards.

I was very pleased to find that the app I bought from Navionics for my smart phone 2 years ago was easily added to my Wife's Hudl and a new smart phone at no extra cost. I am also still getting chart updates for free... Also the Navionics app has the opportunity for updates by users of buoy positions. This is very useful when our local bar buoys have been shifted by the latest gale or by the HM's latest whim!

I have not had the poor customer experience that you seem to have had!

 

[nigelmercier]

... I am also still getting chart updates for free...

You must have bought at the right time. They will eventually replace the app.

 

[Colvic Watson]

But this is Navionics, I'm sure they will have found a way to make you pay again. Barstewards.

When you hold a grudge you really hold a grudge!

Nigel came a right cropper with Navionics but I've found them to be just fine, I've had free chart updates for the last three years and most of the add ons are worth paying for. They also supply the charts to other apps so even if you by other software it may well be running Navionics. Google Play isn't as seemless an experience as the Apple app store, We've got an Android smart phone and a couple of iPad's and an iPhone and even though we change Apple devices every year the Apple apps just migrate; it isn't quite like that with Google, it all feels a bit clunky and beware that an app bought for one Android device will rarely work on another as there are thousands of permutations and some manufacturers like Samsung distribute their own customised version of the operating system, even worse they have their own app stores that sell versions of mainstream apps that may or may not work on the next version of tablet you buy. Still the Hudl is a great piece of kit, very well featured and is helping to open up the market. It's a flipping cheap 7 inch touch screen chartplotter!

 

[duncan99210]

I had Navonics on my old smart phone (bought it three years back) and downloaded it to both my wife's hudl and my new smart phone with no trouble - it was sitting there in the Play Stores account waiting for me!

 

[Burnham Bob]

I have a Nexus 7 - the very best 7" tablet on the market accordng to the reviews. Not knowing whether she would take to it I bought SWMBO a Hudl as a cheapie alternative to try. It's an amazing piece of kit for the price and I suppose the experts can tell me why the Nexus 7 cost almost twice as much, but if you get one it won't disappoint. I also have a waterproof case. As long as you don't want to access the swipe screen I'd recommend that - if you are using it as a plotter then it will scroll and you can simply leave it on. You'll need to reset the timeout period (maybe Navionics does that automatically) and turn up the brightness so you can see it in the cockpit.

 

[ffiill]

Hudl does have GPS and you can link to any smart phone to internet if WiFi not available.
I have used GPS nautical charts ap-image of red boat-once you buy the ap for UK you can full access to admiralty based chart catalogue.You can then download as many charts as you need/want.
The hudl is rated as one of top four tablets by which.
I use mine for everything and its just been around the world whilst taking bookings for my seasonal business

 

[rosie]

Many thanks for all the advice. It was my granddaughter who asked if her HUDL would work on the boat which got me thinking about using it as a plotter. I have followed up the advice received and I now know what an app is! I'm off to get my own HUDL soon.

Dave.