PBO/PDA

[colin_jones]

In the May 2003 issue of PBO, we shall be reporting on the up-surge of PDA power and the possible uses for boats of all sizes.

We already have some testers and commentators lined up, but there is obviously a huge pool of knowledge and many appropriately experienced boat people not known to us.

If you are a PDA-using boat user and would like to contribute to what is a very interesting, practical project, either PM me via the forum, or direct to

colvicwatson.co.uk

 

[oilyrag]

Can't wait till May edition of PBO - what's a PDA?
Can't stand it when I might be missing out on some wonderful gizmo that I didn't know existed.

PS Can't stand TLAs either

 

[colin_jones]

PDA = Personal Digital Assistant - horrible name for a handheld micro-computer like the Palm, or the Compaq iPaq.
When we looked at these about 3 years ago, I was totally cynical about thier use, but life has changed a lot in the interim.

The Psion 5mx can be useful, but I have an iPaq, which will never be a total cruising navigator tool as it stands, but it is doing some very impressive navigation, planning and other boat tasks.

Will tell you more when the emergingteam has had a long, cool look.

 

[bigmart]

I have an Ipaq 3970 with the basic software on it. The only boat related software I use is Bellfields Tideplotter, it's also useful for downloading Weather Forecasts from the web but I can only do this whilst at home because although my mobile phone has Bluetooth & can operate as a modem I don't have mobile internet cinnection yet.

Somewhere down the line I would love to get hold of a GPS Jacket & some Chart Plotting Software. From the demo's I have seen this seems like an economical method of getting a Chartplotter on board.

Let me know if I can be of any help.

Martin

 

[Gunfleet]

Colin I hope your feature will give us the gen on using one in France for emails

 

[colin_jones]

The May magnum opus will include a hefty chunk on mini cartography both for sea use with the 3 major software suppliers and for inland water use with some very impressive OS maps. I have it running and it works fine but whether or not a serious navigator will enjoy managing his life out at sea on an area the size of a fag packet, remains to be seen.

I have just acquired the equipment for email to the iPAQ and will post an interim report here. The Psion 5mx is also a good email machine but, unfortunately, aol does not support PDAs and ther were difficulties with other ISPs in France.

There are several amusing reasons why we abandoned infra red transfer. Bluetooth is still to be played with - carefully - bearing in mind that if I use an hf radio on the boat, any transmission switches on the fridge. Electricity and radio energy are an interesting cocktail.

If anybody else wishes to participate in this project, please PM me.

As well as being useful, it is also great fun .... and fun is our main reason for spending all our spare cash on boating.

 

[Gordonmc]

I have a Palm 500 with the SalPalm package for plotting. The main problem has been acquiring charts to go with it so that's no more than a toy until I can get the right memory cards.
Where it is useful is for Email and internet access via a Nokia. I use the IR link with no problem. Especially good for weather.
I would think it would be far more practical than a laptop on board. I have mounted a spare cradle which powers the Palm and keeps it in one place. Synchs with the laptop I do at my desk.

 

[Trevethan]

I have sailpalm too and agree, without the charts its a bit of a toy. Do you use a folding keyboard? It makes emailing and posting stuff here much easier, and you are less likely to lose line of sight with the phone.

 

[bigmart]

I can't wait te see the finished tome.

As to your comments about the Chart Plotting on a small screen. I have seen a demo & must concede that you do have a point, although Radar manufacturers manage to sell us Yachties ludicrously small screens. It seems that nowadays, if your rich enough, anything bigger than a wayfarer dinghy can sprout a Radome.

I tried "it's a must have safety device" to justify the purchase of a Handheld VHF, only to open the instruction leaflet to read "Not to be used for Safety purposes".

When I persuaded SHMBO to purchase the Ipaq as a prezzie for me I abandoned all the usual justification processes. "It's just a fun gadget" was the justification. It's funny how the whole family took the mick when I got it. Now I can't get hold of the damn thing because their all playing games or surfing the web via the Bluetooth connection on it

Your right they are a lot of fun but they are also very useful.

Regards

Martin

 

[chas]

My concern would be their ability to survive in the marine environment. My Palm, when I take it on board, seems to let the water in!

 

[Gordonmc]

Mine fits into a Drypak. With the leather cover folded back I can still use the stylus through the Drypack poly. I have a spare stylus attached with a bit of string.
Of course this is only needed singlehanded sailing when I want the Palm in my oilies pocket.

 

[colin_jones]

Myself, I should not want to risk any non-marinised piece of electronic equipment by usung it in any place like teh cockpit, where it is likely to encounter doses of water and even in a wheelhouse boat would be very careful.

We have already lost a couple of notebook PCs in rough seas. That is an experience which makes your bank manager remove you from his Christmas card list!!

However, for the PDA, help is at hand.

Memory Map aka Maptech have an interesting waterproof box built to house a PDA, but having a touch screen to enable normal tap working. There are still some reservations about bluetooth, but this container would work well in conjunction with a BT device.

Memory Map and Maptech have websites. Tel 01590 642175 or 0870 740 9040, or visit their stand at Earls Court

 

[steveh]

I use a Jornada 720 with Memory Map software and Maptech charts, stored on a CF card, with a Garmin 12 GPS hooked up. The larger screen on the J720 allows a good section of chart to be viewed and by zooming in, its quite possible to add waypoints and short routes. I keep it in a waterproof 'Otterbox' and never take it out of the cabin. Being a PDA there are no moving parts and is more durable than a laptop. I look forward to the article.