Rugged, waterproof, bright light readable tablet to run Navionics for Android - options?

E

eddystone

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Aug 2013
Messages
1,944
Location
North West Devon
Visit site
I've used a Samsung 10" Tab A for a few years but I had to cut the screen protector off because it made the touch screen unusable and in any case it's completely unreadable in direct sunshine and has a tendency to overheat and shut down. Tried covering screen in clingfilm but that wasn't a success. There don't seem to be many options for a waterproof, shockproof tablet that doesn't become invisible in bright light. Cheapest option is Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 8" but there is no data on readability in bright light. I suppose safest option is Sailproof but their 8" is out of stock and I suspect they now only want to sell the 10" version which is £729 but this maybe plus shipping, VAT, excise duty etc as we're not in EU. There are some more expensive options like Orca but beyond my cashflow at the moment. Quality of GPS chip is another criteria
Samsung Galaxy Active Tab 3, Oukitel?
 
Last edited:
I've got a Galaxy Tab Active (first generation) which I use in the cockpit. It's mounted under the sprayhood and I've made a sun shade/cowl for it which helps but it's not as bright as one would like, certainly not as bright as my SH CP180. But usable.
 
I never understand why people pay for Samsung tabs ... or for iPads ...

I have an 8" Android Tablet from Banggood that costs half that of Samsung ... and puts Samsung to shame ...

HEADWOLF FPad 1 UNISOC T310 Quad Core 3GB RAM 64GB ROM 4G LTE 8 Inch Android 11 Tablet

Runs Navionics and I actually use it to stream in my F1TV when travelling ..... fast, full GPS .... all for less than 120 euros ...

It has really bright screen, BUT no Tablet will be good in sunlight .... you will always have to shade it somehow .... usual way is to buy a sunshield of eBay designed for Drone use ... we use Tablets to fly them.
Waterproof ?
 
Refueler said:
I never understand why people pay for Samsung tabs ... or for iPads ...

I have an 8" Android Tablet from Banggood that costs half that of Samsung ... and puts Samsung to shame ...

HEADWOLF FPad 1 UNISOC T310 Quad Core 3GB RAM 64GB ROM 4G LTE 8 Inch Android 11 Tablet

Runs Navionics and I actually use it to stream in my F1TV when travelling ..... fast, full GPS .... all for less than 120 euros ...

It has really bright screen, BUT no Tablet will be good in sunlight .... you will always have to shade it somehow .... usual way is to buy a sunshield of eBay designed for Drone use ... we use Tablets to fly them.
Waterproof ?
Click to expand...

I forgot to add that over a number of years I have 4 Banggood Tablets and all still work fine ..... I only bought more as I needed faster processor as things evolved. At the prices - not a big deal.
 
How much is it? I didn’t get that far.

Edit - Crikey. £1300 is a lot, but I guess that’s what you have to pay for a purpose made bit of marine equipment. For a long time I used tablets and navionics, but having bought a chartplotter I now think there’s a huge difference between using something that’s made for use on a boat, and something that isn’t.
 
Last edited:
In actual fact - most tablets will survive unless actually drenched .... I've had my cheapie Banggood Tablets out in all sorts of weather and a wipe off after and all fine. As long as water doesn't get in sockets / connectors ....
 
Tablets with an OLED display are significantly better. We have a Samsung Tab S5e and it is as readable as any more conventional chart plotter.
 
robmcg said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/OUKITEL-20000mAh-Battery-Unlocked-Waterproof/dp/B0BJJW445T/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=3UAXJUAHHF4VG&keywords=oukitel+rugged+tablet&qid=1678563728&sprefix=oukite+rugg,aps,362&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

This would probably do 🤔.
Click to expand...

only 350 nits.., so probably will not do...

there is a newer version of that Tripltek - it's am 8in display .., advertised 1200nits brightness

i am thinking of getting it

Brightest Tablet Android on the market | Tripltek

I currently have a Panasonic Toughpad - runs windows 10, but it's too big to use moving around on a sailboat. For my type of use I don't want a mounted tablet. I want to have it at hand.

The Orca is interesting - seems you can run android 11, and then use android apps if you don't want their navigation app. But - it's kind of expensive.
 
Last edited:
chris-s said:
Tablets with an OLED display are significantly better. We have a Samsung Tab S5e and it is as readable as any more conventional chart plotter.
Click to expand...
I have a Samsung Tab S5e too - it's an absolutely lovely device. Light and thin, it feels really high quality - it wasn't even Samsung's top end device at the time I bought it (2020).

I compared it against my B&G Vulcan and IMO the Vulcan is very slightly brighter, but only very slightly - the S5e was perfectly viewable in the cockpit.

You can run LineageOS on the Tab S5e and get rid of all the Samsung crapware, although installation of custom ROMs can be a little troublesome.

I have a Xiaomi mobile phone at the moment, and me and my family have had other cheap chinese phones in the past - I am extremely sceptical that the cheap tablets from Amazon and Banggood being touted on this thread are anywhere near as good as the S5e.
 
I have a Xiaomi mobile phone at the moment, and me and my family have had other cheap chinese phones in the past - I am extremely sceptical that the cheap tablets from Amazon and Banggood being touted on this thread are anywhere near as good as the S5e.
Click to expand...

Your fears are unfounded.

Put it this way .... one of my old Banggood tablets (10", twin sim, SD card etc) - the USB port was damaged and pal of mine who is an IT specialist replaced the USB port in it.
He was amazed at its performance and specs when he did full diagnostics on it. I then passed my others to him and all caused him to remark how good they were.

If people want to pay Samsung / iPad prices for less - fine .... but please - it might be an idea to try before condemning .... it may be quite a surprise.

Just a comment : I have a recent model Samsung smart phone and I absolutely hate it .... Until this one - I really liked Samsung and expected the same good with later. UGH !! My old Z30 Blackberry STILL beats it hands down - even though BB server is no longer functioning. The BB has emails come in without any delay ... no need to swipe phone to get it to synch - which this Samsung requires .... and even then the Samsung does not bring in all emails ... you have to keep swiping the damn thing. Its battery life is abysmal ...
 
Refueler said:
Appreciate that some are willing to pay that much ... but for average boater ... c'mon .... a plotter is a lot less than that incl chart card. Extra functions are just extras that in reality most never use.
Click to expand...

Ok then, show me a 10” chart plotter with nmea 2000 and IP68 ‘waterproofness’ for less than that. My point is if you want something tailor made for a harsh environment you have to pay for it.
I suspect the problem with these super bright tablets such as Orca, Tripltek etc is that with the screen ‘up’ on a sunny day the battery life will take quite a hit. I like that on the Orca it has a charging port (and I assume N2K) incorporated into the mount/stand, so no trailing cables.
 
Last edited:
robmcg said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/OUKITEL-20000mAh-Battery-Unlocked-Waterproof/dp/B0BJJW445T/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=3UAXJUAHHF4VG&keywords=oukitel+rugged+tablet&qid=1678563728&sprefix=oukite+rugg,aps,362&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

This would probably do 🤔.
Click to expand...

Can confirm the Oukitel is good and works in Algarve level sunlight if you turn the brightness all the way up. It does gobble power with the brightness right up, but it has a 20mAh battery (and of course a charging port)


- W
 
Last edited:
fredrussell said:
Ok then, show me a 10” chart plotter with nmea 2000 and IP68 ‘waterproofness’ for less than that. My point is if you want something tailor made for a harsh environment you have to pay for it.
I suspect the problem with these super bright tablets such as Orca, Tripltek etc is that with the screen ‘up’ on a sunny day the battery life will take quite a hit. I like that on the Orca it has a charging port (and I assume N2K) incorporated into the mount/stand, so no trailing cables.
Click to expand...

No need to have a hissy ...... I did not read OP wanted NMEA2000 etc.

He's asking for a rugged, waterproof / protected tablet and has already in that opening post said not Orca and similar as they are outside of budget.
I'm just suggesting based on his 'specs' ............
 
I've come to the conclusion that the ideal solution for me would be the Sailproof 8" although there is a wait for an updated version. This is based on screen brightness, battery life, waterproofing and impact resistance. However they are located in EU and the prices quoted are net of VAT which means when it arrives the courier will charge both an unknown amount of import duty and VAT on value of item and all shipping charges.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top