iPhone and apps

[ChrisE]

Sorry, my issue has got a bit lost. What is the point of great nav and met apps, if you can't really use the iPhone outside?

I'm not plugging any sort of phone, but I think MBM should consider the practicalities of their articles.

Because you can use it indoors to do your planning and keeping up to date.

The sea and mobile phones don't mix, period but the iphone (and the other smart phones) mean that we no longer have to lug a laptop about. Come to think of it laptops don't mix with the sea either and their use is now universal, so the model is there.

 

[rafiki_]

Because you can use it indoors to do your planning and keeping up to date.

The sea and mobile phones don't mix, period but the iphone (and the other smart phones) mean that we no longer have to lug a laptop about. Come to think of it laptops don't mix with the sea either and their use is now universal, so the model is there.

What is the point of a mobile phone that can only be used at home? Sorry...I've missed something. I can do all the prep on my laptop and download the route to my Garmin using the sd card. The iPhone is a great toy.

I love Apple gadgets, but none of them are really necessary!! Oh dear, shouldn't have said that..........I'm just about to be shot down.....................

 

[fireball]

Eh? Of course you can use the iPhone or any other gadget outside .... you just have to not get it wet ...
It's damp outside now - I've just been for a walk and spent 10 minutes of that on the (i)phone - it's working and the indicator still shows white.

What I would not do is get the phone (or any other non-waterproof gadget) out in the pooring rain and expect it to work like a waterproof gadget ... surely that is just common sense - although perhaps not which is why Apple have put a water ingress strip on their phone ....

Nav apps on smart phones are not there as primary Nav aids - that's why you pay a lot more money for dedicated chart plotters and charts ...

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Sorry, my issue has got a bit lost. What is the point of great nav and met apps, if you can't really use the iPhone outside?

I'm not plugging any sort of phone, but I think MBM should consider the practicalities of their articles.

Why do you think you can't use it outside? I have an iPhone and an iPad. I use them both outside, both on and off my boat. When I have concerns about water (which has been almost all of this month) I have Aquapac type covers for them. The screens work well with the cover, but admittedly not when the rain pours on it. Having said that, when it rains I go indoors on my boat!

We have touch screen plotters on the boat and they don't really like rain much either. Same solution though.

 

[ChrisE]

What is the point of a mobile phone that can only be used at home? Sorry...I've missed something. I can do all the prep on my laptop and download the route to my Garmin using the sd card. The iPhone is a great toy.

I love Apple gadgets, but none of them are really necessary!! Oh dear, shouldn't have said that..........I'm just about to be shot down.....................

When I was using the term indoors I meant not in the cockpit, the cabin is perfectly dry enough and although I've used both my laptop and my iphone in the cockpit on the high seas, I just don't expect either to survive a mega or minor dousing! and yes, you are about to be shot....

At the end of the day they are all toys but as you know, he who ends up with the most toys at the end of the day wins!

 

[fireball]

Interesting that the touch screen plotters don't like the wet ....

 

[AyeSkipper]

Both hubby and I use our iphones on the boat and have never had an issue, although we take care not to get them too wet, surely that is the same though with any phone or electronic gadget?

Couple of observations about my iphone and damp, one is that I listen to audiobooks whilst running and the best place to put my phone is down my bra, it often comes out a bit sweaty and it hasn't seemed to have affected it. The other one is that I put my previous iphone through the washing machine (wondered where it had gone and found it when I emptied the washer!!) I put it on charge to dry it out and within a few hours it was working again although the screen had water in, this eventually dried out though. I have mine insured so I changed it as I am sure it would have died on me eventually, it did work for 2-3 weeks until we returned back to UK.

 

[rafiki_]

Both hubby and I use our iphones on the boat and have never had an issue, although we take care not to get them too wet, surely that is the same though with any phone or electronic gadget?

Couple of observations about my iphone and damp, one is that I listen to audiobooks whilst running and the best place to put my phone is down my bra, it often comes out a bit sweaty and it hasn't seemed to have affected it. The other one is that I put my previous iphone through the washing machine (wondered where it had gone and found it when I emptied the washer!!) I put it on charge to dry it out and within a few hours it was working again although the screen had water in, this eventually dried out though. I have mine insured so I changed it as I am sure it would have died on me eventually, it did work for 2-3 weeks until we returned back to UK.

A word of caution about sweat, and other bodily fluids. The helpful Apple shop geek explained merrily that they see many iPhone/Touches that have failed when people have used them running/dancing/anything that produces fliud!! I use my old Nano when running/cycling. No telltale "litmus" paper test, but no touch screen, so much more robust.

 

[BartW]

A few weeks ago during our kroatia cruising trip, I struggled with my laptop, first with the GPRS data connection (on the islands) and later on, a virus completely killed my machine.
I have to agree that a laptop abloslutely not fits on a 28ft boat.

Then I struggled with my Nokia E72 on internet for the weather and windfinder, very slow, small display, etc.. almost un- use-able.

Then I discovered SWMBO's Iphone, first on wifi, then I ordered a Data connection.
Soon she found the windfinder app,
for me it was brilliant, as we were usually anchored somewhere in a unhabited cove, this was our only source for weather predictions, so this was very practical and usefull for our daily trip planning !

I do agree that PDA's don't really fit on a boat, but to me this is the case for any type, Blackberry, Nokia, HTC or I-phone. Just use it for your daily planning, and occasional phone calls.

This experience and The article in MBM made me change my mind from against to pro-Iphone, and my next phone will be a Iphone4.
this morning swmbo ordered the Navionics app

 

[l'escargot]

I use my iPhone on the boat and have never had a problem. If I want to take it in the dinghy or think it is at risk of a serious dousing, I put it in one of theses:

iDry from ebay about 12 quid

 

[mjf]

Sorry, my issue has got a bit lost. What is the point of great nav and met apps, if you can't really use the iPhone outside?

I'm not plugging any sort of phone, but I think MBM should consider the practicalities of their articles.

I really do not agree - I use mine all the time albeit inside the saloon, the Wx apps and tides, navionic charts are good. I think SWMBO has even used it as a phone for Godsake!

The OS app I have is useful when away from my berth etc etc. If you want to use it on the F/B or in damp areas buy a kit that waterproofs it. I find the GPS good and travel info handy too prior to setting off either to or from the marina by car

 

[Viewfinder]

Iphone4 is perfect. I mean, how many phones allow you to post on the forum, can be used as a reading light, let you listen to any Internet radio station and take pictures of the Sea King display in Dartmouth all at the same time?

Mine has spent many an hour in a damp cockpit and is clear as a bell. No moisture to speak of. It is in a snazzy case and if it does get wet, I would replace it with another. For me it has been a revelation!

VF

 

[NeilT]

The thing I dont like about the iphone is the limitations apple put on it - unless of course you jailbreak it and wave bye bye to any warranty.
So I'll be sticking with an HTC with android.
If you want a lappy how about an old Panasonic Toughbook ? would it have enough processing power for your needs as there used to be quite a few on ebay.
Just a thought
Cheers
N

 

[Elessar]

The thing I dont like about the iphone is the limitations apple put on it - unless of course you jailbreak it and wave bye bye to any warranty.
So I'll be sticking with an HTC with android.
If you want a lappy how about an old Panasonic Toughbook ? would it have enough processing power for your needs as there used to be quite a few on ebay.
Just a thought
Cheers
N

jailbreaking can't void guarantees as you can get rid. I'd jailbreak it as a matter of pride - apple corporate arrogance is astonishing trying to tell you what to do.

otterbox fixes the robustness issue, and makes them splashproof.

but the battery is an issue, I usually need a recharge by 1130. what planet are they on when they design these things.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Iphone4 is perfect. I mean, how many phones allow you to post on the forum, can be used as a reading light, let you listen to any Internet radio station and take pictures of the Sea King display in Dartmouth all at the same time?

Mine has spent many an hour in a damp cockpit and is clear as a bell. No moisture to speak of. It is in a snazzy case and if it does get wet, I would replace it with another. For me it has been a revelation!

VF

Couldn't agree with you more.

• It wakes me up in the morning, and if the weather is rubbish it tells me to stay in bed.
• Mine has a very snazzy timer that tells me when my eggs are correctly boiled.
• No matter where I am I can send emails and pretend I am in the office, even if I am playing a game on it.
• and, whenever I am someone else's boat I can surreptitiously check up on their nav, and criticize their tidal planning without ever invading their chart table space.

 

[Richard10002]

The thing I dont like about the iphone is the limitations apple put on it

I was anti-Apple for years, but have an ipod nano and an iPhone 3GS as of earlier this year. The iPhone isnt jailbroken, and I havent found any limitations that have affected me so far - so what limitations do you mean?

 

[Elessar]

I was anti-Apple for years, but have an ipod nano and an iPhone 3GS as of earlier this year. The iPhone isnt jailbroken, and I havent found any limitations that have affected me so far - so what limitations do you mean?

you can only buy apps approved by them and give them 30% of every app you buy.

buy an ipad and you can't buy the non 3g version and tether it to the iphone. Jailbreak the phone and you can saving yourself a SIM subscription.

On the v4, you can only video message on wifi. Jailbreak it and it works over 3G.

Due to the appalling battery life you need to be able to easily turn wifi and bluetooth on and off and adjust the screen brightness. Buried in an apple menu or a click away with a jailbreak app.

etc......

 

[NeilT]

Exactly - I dont want apple telling me what I can and can't load on MY device.
The iphone is fine if you dont want to get under the bonnet and fiddle.
I find the very best source of info for pda's and smart phones is xda developers (windows and android) it can get a bit techie but there are some VERY clever folks on there.
Cheers
N

 

[wakeup]

you can only buy apps approved by them and give them 30% of every app you buy.

buy an ipad and you can't buy the non 3g version and tether it to the iphone. Jailbreak the phone and you can saving yourself a SIM subscription.

On the v4, you can only video message on wifi. Jailbreak it and it works over 3G.

Due to the appalling battery life you need to be able to easily turn wifi and bluetooth on and off and adjust the screen brightness. Buried in an apple menu or a click away with a jailbreak app.

etc......

That is why you won't find any viruses or malware on the iPhone or Macs for that matter as Apple take an active interest to protect the user and it benefits them commercially to do so. I'd rather have apple quality control (ha, ha , I think they have a millions apps now) what i use than a buggy virus ridden code that is already appaering on android and CE mobile.

 

[oceanfroggie]

since when has C R A P been a swear word?

Agree the battery life is 5h1t but smart phones in general have range and battery problems. Htc Desire and iPhone are virtually identical. Both great smart phones but useless for rugged use such as boating.