iPad + RayControl App vs Raymarine Axiom 7

[AlexKT7]

Morning everyone, I have Raymarine Axiom 9 PRO S in my cockpit and a legacy Raymarine C120 MFD Chartplotter attached to my chart table. I have been thinking of replacing C120 with some cost-effective solution (mostly for monitoring when autopilot is engaged).
So I am considering 2 options:

1) Raymarine Axiom 7 ( will connect to Raymarine Axiom 9 PRO S using Raynet cable)
2) 10" iPad + RayControl App ( will connect to Raymarine Axiom 9 PRO S using WiFi)

Both cost pretty much the same but the iPad option gives more flexibility. Does anyone have any opinion/ experience with RayControl App? What would you go for?
thanks

 

[RJJ]

Hello, I have E75 in cockpit plus a cheap Android tablet below with the RayControl app.

Downside: if someone else is helming and trying to use the plotter while you are trying to do nav on the tablet, you end up really irritating each other. But that's manageable. More significant downside is the tablet is really laggy.

Upside: you can carry the tablet around with you so e.g. take it home. It can double as your dedicated boat tablet e.g. to hold an alternative set of charts as backup (we have MarineNavigator and the vmh raster chart pack), or to hold manuals for all your kit; since it's likely you have a tablet for that purpose anyway, the saving is the total cost of the plotter - including cables and installation. Also a tablet is way cheaper (or can be, especially if you go Android) than another plotter; if it goes pop the tears are limited.

For me, it works well. It came with the boat and I haven't considered changing it.

 

[Bobc]

I have a Raymarine a95 in the cockpit, and use an iPad at the chart table with Raycontrol, and find it absolutely brilliant.

Better money spent than another MFD, as you have an iPad, which is useful for other stuff too.

 

[dunedin]

Raymarine compatibility between plotter versions seems to only last for an instant before they become incompatible again.

I might be tempted to get the Axiom 7 now if can get a good discount, then you have both plotters compatible, on the same software and consistent to use.
Can probably get a few quid for the old plotter on eBay.

The RayControl App is free and I run this on both my Android phone (for keeping an eye on things when in my bunk), and on my tablet (happens to be an iPad but much cheaper options available).

So for me do the Axiom now and also put the RayControl app on what mobile kit you already have (and will get in future)

 

[cmedsailor]

I have an Axiom 7 which connects with RayControl app on my ipad and can therefore control everything using the ipad,
Works perfectly. Really like the fact that can control the autopilot too.
You can already do these using an ipad connected with you Axiom 9 PRO. So a second MFD is not really necessary unless you need it as a back up (Axiom 7 has its own built in gps receiver so it will indeed be completely separate). But then again a 4G ipad with Navionics loaded on it is a back up too...

 

[tudorsailor]

When I bought our yacht it had two ancient plotters. One below and one up top. I replaced the one "up top" with a C125 which sends wireless. I use the Ray control app on a 7" Sony tablet at the helm, and also have a 10" Samsung stuck where the plotter used to be at the chart table. For reasons that I do not understand, the older Sony tablet has almost no lag. In contrast, the 10" Samsung is laggy. It may be worth testing with your iPad how well the connection works. If it is not too laggy then save you money and dont buy the Axiom.

TudorSailor

 

[prv]

I've used the app occasionally with my Axiom 9 - it works, but feels a little clunky in a way I can't quite put my finger on.

Since I don't really do extensive plotter operation from the cabin, though, and it sounds like you don't plan to either, I'd probably opt for the tablet regardless. I quite like the idea of having a dedicated boat tablet which could have a charging mount at the chart table but also be removable for use at the saloon table (discussing tomorrow's plan after dinner) or in a bunk. As well as the Raymarine app it could also have other chart systems (perhaps Imray, to give a different source to the Navionics in the plotter), be used to download weather forecasts and other information, and store PDF copies of manuals.

Pete

 

[Robin]

I run a Raymarine App on an android notebook as the below decks display for the Axiom 9 on the flybridge. I downloaded both Raycontrol and Raymarine viewer but the reality with a new axiom 9is that both apps seem identical, streaming screen display from up top and the 'control 'bit appears as a side panel when asked. I can enter waypoints and routes from the notebook in the warm and dry but in my case cannot control the ancient autopilot
I also have an app to display the AIS from our Watchmate set which is both a standalone and feeds the AXIOM 9,Have that app on my phone also.

 

[run_sk]

Great to hear the Raycontrol works well for you. I have the B&G Vulcan at the helm and have an iPad mini in a charger mount at the nav table. Useful for navigator at sea and especially for planning when in port. Having been frustrated by the fiddly menu systems on the Vulcan for the last 4 years am now considering a move to Raymarine for next boat so delighted that this remote app functionality is available.

 

[HappyAfloat]

Worth noting that if you are running navionics on your pad and plotter, you can sync the route planning to your axiom in the cockpit via the navionics app. Which is a little less clunky than the raymarine app.

 

[ithet]

It is also worth reminding that the Raymarine apps mirror the source screen so do not add resolution. This would not be an issue for the OP mirroring his Axiom Pro, but for anyone thinking that mirroring an Axiom 7 on a ten+ inch display will give a clearer picture, it won't.- it's just larger. Not a problem but worth knowing. Having said that, the RayControl app is great, I use it on my ancient Hudl2 and the lag is quite low. But I thought autopilot control was by design disabled via the app?

 

[prv]

I thought autopilot control was by design disabled via the app?

It was for a while, for fear of someone messing about with a phone anywhere on board being able to cause a collision or a crash-gybe. But they backed off on the paranoia a couple of years ago and you can now operate the pilot from the app.

Pete