Samsung Tab Active Pro 2 as an alternative to a Chart Plotter?

[CapPugwash]

Hello matey peeps.

Has anyone had any experience with using a Samsung Tab Active Pro 2 as an alternative to a Chart Plotter? It is IP68 rated

Galaxy Tab Active2 (8.0", LTE) | Samsung Business UK

I was thinking of mounting it on something like this...

Samsung Galaxy Tablet All Models waterproof case | Shockproof & Secure Mounts

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Not that one but I used a 10" Samsung tablet on my boat for a couple of weeks last year when my chart plotter broke. Navigationally it was fine (Navionics, in fact that was remarkably good for the £39 it cost) but the real bugbear was sunlight readability of the screen which was poor to terrible. So unless that unit has a proper sunlight-readable screen (or you only sail in the dark) I'd advise against using it as your primary CP.

 

[CapPugwash]

Not that one but I used a 10" Samsung tablet on my boat for a couple of weeks last year when my chart plotter broke. Navigationally it was fine (Navionics, in fact that was remarkably good for the £39 it cost) but the real bugbear was sunlight readability of the screen which was poor to terrible. So unless that unit has a proper sunlight-readable screen (or you only sail in the dark) I'd advise against using it as your primary CP.

That is very good point, thank you! Living in Scotland I hadn’t considered sunlight glare!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

There you go.

I'd say that it's worth having Navionics on a tablet anyway. It's a great 'browsing' tool when your sitting in the saloon or pub (one day).

 

[[3889]]

I prefer an IP68 phone to a plotter. On your person all the time, easy to use one handed and place in shadow with bright sunlight. When the 2nd Garmin plotter failed on my last boat I didn't bother replacing it. Now I have 2 plotters I still use my phone.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Another issue with the tablet is keeping it charged, you'll need a 1.5A USB or cig lighter adaptor in the cockpit somewhere, or rig a permanent feed.

 

[duncan_m]

Yes. I've been using one for around 2.5 years on our Nauticat 42 alongside our B&G kit and the laptop we use for navigation long distance. It's probably one of the main tools we use.

I'm a believer in having backups so because of the mentioned issue below I'd always have a 2nd/3rd/4th backup option e.g. paper chart, a phone, plotter, laptop w/opencpn or similar.

Pros:

• Great for getting access to native sailing apps e.g. Watchmate (AIS), Victron (Solar/Power), Navionics, Predict wind etc;
• When at anchor, which is us most of the time, we leave it plugged in with Anchor Pro to alert if we drag;
• Screen at high brightness is generally bright enough for most conditions;
• There is a high sensitivity mode for the screen that works when you're wearing gloves;
• Battery life is good for ±8 hours using GPS apps;
• We use it to control music via bluetooth I've got a big SD in it and have lots of offline music from Spotify, handy now that if you're on the same WiFi you can control other Spotify devices on the network;

Cons

• Some apps (Navionics) will not use the boat's digital compass so the HDG shown on the app is based on GPS not where the boat is pointing, this can be disorientating at night and/or if you're new to using this set-up, other navigation apps are available like openCPN or iNavx etc...
• At night it's hard to get the screen dark enough, we generally use a bluelight filter app to reduce contrast and brightness below lowest in the app. Don't forget to unset before morning or you'll be under your duvet/sleeping bad trying to find the brightness settings in daylight!
• Keeping it charged inside is easy, we have put in a USB socket by the internal helm, external helm is harder, the original socket died due to 12v + salt water exposure. We are now using a waterproof battery bank while I consider other options;
• We're on our second one, though this is a warranty replacement it doesn't like salt water in the power socket. You need to keep it plugged in or put in a blank to prevent water ingress. As our helm is quite far forwards and now under a sprayhood this is less of an issue, if your helm position is back and exposed I'd still put it in an additional cover, with the increased sensitivity mode it should be quite responsive and the holder easily accomodates;

It is just a big phone tbh but its been reliable and we often do longer passages overnight often with friends or sailing club members as crew. In those situations your phone is good but you generally want a reliable device you can leave out configured, especially for anchoring or if doing watches.

You can get a cheaper 'non-marine' standard tablet holder that will hold it in place inside/by the helm and look very similar to the ones you've suggested, links below.

Tablet mount we have set-up inside (photo below)
ARKON Drill Base Tablet Mount for Apple iPad Air 2 iPad Pro iPad 4 3 2 Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Galaxy Tab Pro: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

The back of the tablet holder shown is a standard adaptor and can be used with a pipe mount which you would get on the bike version of a phone holder
ARKON Clamp Post Tablet Mount for Apple iPad Air iPad 4 3 2 Galaxy Note 10.1 Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 Retail Black: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
ARKON Bike or Motorcycle Handlebar Smartphone Mount with Water Resistant Holder for Apple iPhone 6 iPhone 5S 5C 5 4S: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics - We use this one, screwed onto a rail by the helm;