New Tablet Recommendations please

J

John the kiwi

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I am in the market for a new tablet which of course i want to use for Navigation apps including OpenCPN.
I don't need cellular connectivity and dont need a great camera as I have those features on my phone, but do want good daylight viewing and generally good performance.
I am leaning towards the Galaxy Tab S3, but wondered what others have found to be good.
Thanks
 
I just splashed out on a new s2 64gb after the trusty Xperia had a great fall :(. Impressed so far, fast. Not tried it yet in the cockpit , not being waterproof like the Xperia will mean extra care and the screen is a bit more reflective though seems plenty bright.

Xperia not made any more unfortunately.
 
I don’t think any tablets are properly daylight viewable. At least not in the same way a chartplotter is. I had an iPad with a decent anti glare stick on screen. Still rubbish with the sun on it in cockpit.
 
John the kiwi said:
I am in the market for a new tablet which of course i want to use for Navigation apps including OpenCPN.
I don't need cellular connectivity and dont need a great camera as I have those features on my phone, but do want good daylight viewing and generally good performance.
I am leaning towards the Galaxy Tab S3, but wondered what others have found to be good.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I have a Galaxy tab S2 which i am using right now in the sun in the back garden and the screen is very clear. I use it with Marine Navigator app. Needs to be plugged in as on full brightness with gps running battery life is not good.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
You may find that to have GPS you need cellular functionality, but you don't need to plug a SIM card in.
 
I also just bought the s2, an 8". Thought the 10" too big.

Have not tried it on the boat yet but I also like the brightness.
Another thing that lead me to the s2 is the 3:4 aspect ratio, which I think is very nice for navigation.

(For geeks: I am running lineage os on it)
 
Be interested to follow this. I'm thinking of replacing my Xperia.

It's always annoying that you can't pick and choose the "deluxe" options. If you buy an upmarket model you have to pay for a good screen, a good camera, lots of storage etc even if only one of theose interests you.
 
I have just got a Tpad from London chart plotters 10” about 140-150 complete with uk charts and set up as a plotter have a look at them
It’s to be used as a spare plotter and if you want AIS it’s another £80 including antenna and box
Not had a chance to try it in anger but looks good so far


Just noticed your location
 
Last edited:
Amulet said:
Be interested to follow this. I'm thinking of replacing my Xperia.

It's always annoying that you can't pick and choose the "deluxe" options. If you buy an upmarket model you have to pay for a good screen, a good camera, lots of storage etc even if only one of theose interests you.
Click to expand...

Yes, I don't want or need a camera on my tablet, so why cant i buy one without?
No i don't expect brightness to be like a chart plotter, but some are definitely better than others so still keen to hear other peoples experiences.

BTW, I have found that with my phone in bright direct sunlight in the cockpit, i can see and use it if i put a towel over both my head and the phone.
Can still see out from under the towel; its not like you need a drawstring around your neck, but this does work for me.
Thanks for replies so far.
 
I'm a big fan of my Samsung Tab3 8 inch. It's over 4 years old now but just keeps working. I'll def buy another Samsung when it packs in.
 
If dedicated chartplotters are waterproof and can be viewed in sunlight, why try and reinvent the wheel?

A long time ago, but I tried the laptop alternative to a chart plotter and couldn’t make it work.

Bought a cheap Lowrance, fitted it at the wheel, and it saw us from Glasson Dock to Malta and back.
 
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