Navionics on Android and iPad

[DoubleEnder]

I am thinking of getting a tablet for various uses, among them to run Navionics as back up plotter on the boat. I have a cockpit mounted Standard Horizon plotter which is good, but it would be nice to have something portable for use below, at home etc.

Am I right to think that for this to work, the tablet will have to have 3G connectivity as well as the standard wi-fi? Or, once I have downloaded the software via the wifi connection, is the tablet's own GPS engine enough to drive it? Current use will be E Coast and maybe S Coast coastal, plus a little cross -channel. I am very wary of roaming charges . . . .

Thank you

Graham

 

[scottie]

For iPad if you choose 3G then you get built in stand alone
GPS which will work without and therefore out of phone range
To use 3G you need a sim cards(mini size) and service provider

There is a suggestion that the 3G triangulation speeds up gps initial fixing but that is only connection other than apples packaging

Wifi only iPad will run navionics if a gps ie "bad elf" is connected

Cost of bad elf is same as extra for 3G gps but no extra running costs

 

[Tintin]

You won't need 3g for the download if you use wi-fi, and in use you won't need 3g or wi-fi. The GPS built in is more than adequate.

Remove the SIM or switch to flight mode and live without roaming charges fear.

EDIT: Unless you like iGucci, go Android - much cheaper, almost disposable, hardware.

 

[DoubleEnder]

Android

yes I like the Android stuff for its price and I am sure it's quite good enough. Any special recommendations or horror stories? Samsung, Motorola etc ?

Thanks all

Graham

 

[Tintin]

yes I like the Android stuff for its price and I am sure it's quite good enough. Any special recommendations or horror stories? Samsung, Motorola etc ?

Thanks all

Graham

I've never had any problems with Samsung kit, nor have I heard of any. But I haven't used anything else either.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

If money is an issue, wait a few weeks until iPad 3 comes out. Loads of people ( like me ) will be ebaying their iPads to get the newer model.

Such a shame to buy an Android machine, when for a little more you can have the real thing!

P.S. Navionics on iPad is brilliant. I have an iPad 1 3g version and the gps is great. I even use it in the car. You do not need a sim card contract to make it work. I don't have one.

 

[rwakeham]

Navionics on Android

I use Navionics on my Android Motorola Xoom and Samsung Android phone - its perfect. By the way if you have an Android phone you can set up a wireless hotspot from your phone. I know you can do this on an iPhone but only in later versions.

The best thing about the Xoom is that you can put microSD cards in it - so you can have all you videos etc on it for those lovely wet summer days.

Android works well - and you can buy stuff from anywhere. But horses for courses I guess.

 

[Neil_Y]

water proof android

I've used a Motorola Defy for navionics navigation, works great and it is water proof (I tested it down to 2-3m in sea water and falling in at 20knts +)

I was surprised how good the relatively small screen was, but it's quick to zoom in, sometimes the touch screen was a bit temperamental when covered in sea water.

Great detail for the whole of west europe for 20 something £

 

[Monique]

I have Navionics on iPad 2 with 3G.(GPS version) Works a treat and we never use the 3G if I think ahead and download what I need from wifi.

Works great as a car NAV system; would work better yet if GF learned which way is up when looking at a road map.

 

[JackFrobisher]

Android

There are lots of Android tablets that run Navionics. It doesn't require 3G: all you need is a GPS that's either built-in or via a USB dongle. Howver, if you go Android be sure to check that the device you buy is in the Navionics and the Android Market's (AM) approved list. Navioninics for Android is sold exclusively through the AM and you will not be allowed to buy it if the AM does not recognise your device.

 

[Tintin]

There are lots of Android tablets that run Navionics. It doesn't require 3G: all you need is a GPS that's either built-in or via a USB dongle. Howver, if you go Android be sure to check that the device you buy is in the Navionics and the Android Market's (AM) approved list. Navioninics for Android is sold exclusively through the AM and you will not be allowed to buy it if the AM does not recognise your device.

Good point. very important.

 

[Slycat]

Bear in mind there is also rumours of an android version of Open CPN

 

[DoubleEnder]

all good

thank everyone, v useful

Graham

 

[JackFrobisher]

Android OpenCPN

Bear in mind there is also rumours of an android version of Open CPN

I know about MXMariner but that is distributed via the Android Market so the same restrictions regarding availability and chart sources apply. It is very good value.

What have you heard?