Mounting smartphone in cockpit to use as chart plotter

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webcraft

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I intend to use my Huawei P20pro as a chartplotter in the cockpit. It is IP67 certified and hs as large a screen as my GPSMap 550, and I have charts all the way from Scotland to the Canaries preloaded.

I am looking for a simple, robust way to mount it, and wondered if anyone else has soled this problem in a satisfying way.

- W
 
I bought heavy duty Velcro pads. One on iPhone case, one on port bulkhead next to companionway. When you see just how much force is required to remove phone, you will have no doubts about it ever falling off. Amazing stuff, but make sure it’s the official Velcro, expensive things phones...
 
I'm truly puzzled as to why you want to mount your phone in the cockpit. I use my phone as the primary means of navigation on my own boat and on other boats I sail. The huge advantage is that is on your person - in the heads, in bed, on the fore deck or wherever. It can easily be used with one hand. Boats aren't cars. There is no need to sit / stand holding the wheel with both hands like a Competent Crew candidate on the first day of the course.
 
Quiddle said:
I'm truly puzzled as to why you want to mount your phone in the cockpit. I use my phone as the primary means of navigation on my own boat and on other boats I sail. The huge advantage is that is on your person - in the heads, in bed, on the fore deck or wherever. It can easily be used with one hand. Boats aren't cars. There is no need to sit / stand holding the wheel with both hands like a Competent Crew candidate on the first day of the course.
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I’m truly puzzled why you don’t want to have both hands free on a boat that may well be pitching around at sea. Remember the old saying: one hand for you, one hand for the boat, and one to clutch your smartphone!
 
Look at the magnetic mounts. Basically just a small stick on ball shaped base goes on the dash and a small magnetic sticky bit on the back of your phone.
I use it for my mercruiser smart craft mobile data from the engine. It stays on my dash no bother, even at 67 mph, haha. Get a good one though and make sure it’s a 3m sticky bit or similar quality. Very cheap too.
 
Get a handlebar mount off eBay and fit to a grab rail. Cyclist use them. Cheap as chips.
 
The canine’s testicles are RAM Mounts. But there are various much more reasonably priced variants on Amazon - search for ‘motorcycle phone mount’. I use the former in the car (with its awesome suction cup option) and the latter in the cockpit of the boat (attached to a chrome bar by the chart plotter).
 
I'm not sure that a phone mount is needed. Sun glare, water and difficulty reaching are possible problems. I have a small phone with Navionics and its always in a waterproof cover connected to a 12V supply with a very long lead. It can sit anywhere.

I have used a lump of Blue Tack. Works

Everyone to their own, I suppose....
 
kevnurse said:
I'm not sure that a phone mount is needed. Sun glare, water and difficulty reaching are possible problems. I have a small phone with Navionics and its always in a waterproof cover connected to a 12V supply with a very long lead. It can sit anywhere.

I have used a lump of Blue Tack. Works

Everyone to their own, I suppose....
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My phone has a bigger screen than the chart plotter on my other boat, is IP67 waterproof and readable in bright sunlight.

(Huawei P20 Pro)

I've got a standard tripod mount and some velcro, should do the job. Easy to remove if I want to go 'hand-held'

- W
 
webcraft said:
.
I intend to use my Huawei P20pro as a chartplotter in the cockpit. It is IP67 certified and hs as large a screen as my GPSMap 550, and I have charts all the way from Scotland to the Canaries preloaded.

I am looking for a simple, robust way to mount it, and wondered if anyone else has soled this problem in a satisfying way.

- W
Click to expand...

Bicycle phone holder. We've used this one, which clamps to the binnacle handrail tube.
 
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