PC Navigation stuff...very confused

[poter]

That's interesting, so you can use Navionics on a Tablet?

 

[GHA]

That's interesting, so you can use Navionics on a Tablet?

Yup

http://www.navionics.com/en/marine-lakes-tablet

 

[Twister_Ken]

The only problem that didn't have a ready made solution was the brightness at night.

A sheet of translucent neutral grey film?

 

[Tranona]

Despite the conclusion in the article I thought it did a pretty good job of showing just how suitable the iPad is. The only problem that didn't have a ready made solution was the brightness at night.

And the difficulty of waterproofing, power consumption, limitations of functions such as no AIS and cost when you buy all the bits. Thought the conclusion that it had some uses, but not a satisfactory replacement for dedicated alternatives was pretty fair.

 

[mrming]

And the difficulty of waterproofing, power consumption, limitations of functions such as no AIS and cost when you buy all the bits. Thought the conclusion that it had some uses, but not a satisfactory replacement for dedicated alternatives was pretty fair.

I use an iPad / iNavX as my primary plotter. I have the (expensive) Lifeproof case which provides great waterproofing and is very tough.

The major disadvantage over a dedicated device is the fact that you can't plug the iPad in and still maintain the waterproof nature of the case. This means that when charging, the iPad has to live at the chart table.

The attraction of a tablet based system for me is that it separates the hardware and software of the navigation system. What I need is a waterproof charging case / docking station that can be mounted in the cockpit, allowing for the iPad to be charged at the helm when required. Then I would have the perfect setup for me.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

And the difficulty of waterproofing, power consumption, limitations of functions such as no AIS and cost when you buy all the bits. Thought the conclusion that it had some uses, but not a satisfactory replacement for dedicated alternatives was pretty fair.

err. AIS is available via NMEA wifi connection along with pretty much every other function of a plotter. An iPad uses much less power than most plotters. Many waterproof cases are available. Even some which allow charging :

The cost of all the bits is considerably cheaper than a plotter of similar screen size and the iPad offers all the other things that most plotters cannot do. I even kept a spreadsheet log on mine.

I also use one of these:

Which gave complete autonomy.

 

[GHA]

, power consumption, .

How much does an average chart plotter draw?
My experia pulls about 0.6a when charging and turned on and probably less than half that when fully charged.
Shame navionics won't input ais over wifi though.

 

[poter]

ok one last question - can I use Navionics on a win 8 Tablet?

If not what software and charts would you go for?

 

[GrahamM376]

So decided to invest in a good PC based Nav system, been around the web and now seriously looking at SOB (yes I know) SOB is "Software on board" from http://www.digiboat.com/ looks like the business. Anyone used this system I would be interested in your thoughts.

Used SOB some years ago with C Map cartridge in dedicated reader into usb port. The software worked well but I didn't like navigating on a computer so gave it up - computer has to be dry, tied down and where you can see and reach it easily. Still have the card reader on board somewhere, IIRC it cost around £80! Obtaining the charts isn't a problem, lots of C Map stockists around. Surprised you like Windows 8, it's so unpopular they're bringing 9 out next year, making 8 the shortest lived version to date.

 

[Richard10002]

ok one last question - can I use Navionics on a win 8 Tablet?

If not what software and charts would you go for?

I can only find one plotter app in the Windows 8 store, and it isnt a make we have heard of. I might have a punt for £23 for GB charts, but I wont be using it in anger, (dont realy need a chart on the canals