tablet for navigation as a back up

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All_at_Sea

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I know this gets covered in discussion but what is the current thinking, preferably android. 10 - 12" screen, must have gps and wifi. I have integrated Axioms onboard so this gives me another option using Navionics or similar.
 
I use tablets (I have 2) as my primary nav platform:

One is an 11" iPad Pro (3rd gen / 2021) that I picked up used direct form Apple a couple of years ago to run Orca and do browsing stuff in the evenings. Note - needs to eb the cellular version to have built in GPS. No need for SIM card though. It lives in a waterproof case on deck over the companionway, under a sprayhood. I have a waterproof USB-C charge socket up there too for charging it.

The other is a Fossibot DT2 (Amazon link). Its a rugged Android tablet with a HUGE battery ~20,000mAh. It runs Navionics (also has Orca), Antares charts etc. I struggled with GPS when it wasn't horizontal, so added an external Bluetooth GPS puck. No issues now and have effectively added GPS redundancy to my setup. Its portable in the cockpit - there's a good handle / strap on the back and it hangs nicely on some redundant cleats when not in my hand.

Can't recall the price of the iPad, guessing £500?, but the next/newer version is here: iPad Pro 4th Gen (Apple refub link) In reality a Pro was not required, only the cellular bit for the GPS. You could probably find a "normal" iPad with cellular for way less"
The Fossibot DT2 was £235 ish with a discount / deal on Amazon last year. I note there's a DT3 now, looks very similar.

Marc
 
Parabordi said:
you want one of these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/OUKITEL-20000mAh
Click to expand...
After a series of fragile power hungry overpriced Ipads ,all which at some point required replacement screens, finally admitted defeat and bought an Android tablet at a fraction of the Ipad price.
My Oukitel screen is still in one piece after two years and tablet will still be running at the end of a good days cruise without charging.
It also uses a power plug that the rest of my electronic stuff (and the known universe) uses.
 
oldgit said:
After a series of fragile power hungry overpriced Ipads ,all which at some point required replacement screens, finally admitted defeat and bought an Android tablet at a fraction of the Ipad price.
My Oukitel screen is still in one piece after two years and tablet will still be running at the end of a good days cruise without charging.
It also uses a power plug that the rest of my electronic stuff (and the known universe) uses.
Click to expand...
That looks almost identical to my DT2 rugged android tablet!
 
+1 for Oukitel, I am very pleased with the rugged one, good with the usual nautical apps OpenCpn Nav&co Tides etc, quite readable in sunlight, battery lasts forever and can be charged quite fast; I find the audio volume a bit low but maybe it's me getting deafer :) .
 
Tablet is frequently used more than my proper plotter when underway unless the weather makes the fly bridge uninhabitable.
 
I usually scroll through Banggood tablets as they have a great selection at prices that leave enough to buy decent SD card + a beer ! Most are dual SIM .. SD card .. etc etc ..

My 8" Headwolf is a great asset on board as it slips into my jacket pocket as well as providing reasonable hand-held display wherever I am on the boat .. I have AIS and other data via WiFi to it from my NMEA2WiFi plexor.

But I have to admit that lately I have been looking at the DOGEE tablets ...
 
Buck Turgidson said:
What do you mean by "Back Up"? What failure case are you trying to cover?
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Interesting point.

If you back up your electronic charts with a pencil and paper chart you already have a back up. What disaster could negate an electronic charts and a paper one, simultaneously - presumably ..... water.

If you don't back up with paper you could get rid of the chart table and replace with......?

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
Interesting point.

If you back up your electronic charts with a pencil and paper chart you already have a back up. What disaster could negate an electronic charts and a paper one, simultaneously - presumably ..... water.

If you don't back up with paper you could get rid of the chart table and replace with......?

Jonathan
Click to expand...
if the water is over your chart table the time for navigation is past! :-)
 
I bought a refurbished Ipad 8 from amazon as my primary navigation tool, I have a chart platter as back up...... Ipad must be a cellular one as the cellular chip also has the gps on it. Having been an avid android user I am quite pleased with the Ipad and being second hand was a price that won't make me cry when I drop it in the cockpit....
 
Neeves said:
Interesting point.

If you back up your electronic charts with a pencil and paper chart you already have a back up. What disaster could negate an electronic charts and a paper one, simultaneously - presumably ..... water.

If you don't back up with paper you could get rid of the chart table and replace with......?

Jonathan
Click to expand...
No reason not to have an electronic backup, all commercial shipping do so and don't have to carry paper charts any more.
 
Hi everyone

Thanks for the replies. I do keep paper charts as the Nauticat 33 I sail has a large chart locker. I wanted something I could run Navionics, and be away from the boat to work on and have it onboard should the electrics fail for some reason. Some good suggestions here, I am investigating now.
 
We have a wheelhouse and use a Samsung 10" tablet for navigation and a 7" one for backup. Works great and we go places. We also carry paper charts as well and know how to use them, the traditional way.

The moment we lose the electronics in our enclosed WH, we have other problems.
 
My old iPad 2 with navionics still works and has a lifestyle case - iPad 2 might be outdated but to track position or to pair with raymarine still works . Also not now afraid to take to cockpit at night to use sitting under sprayhood . Clearly other makes around apparently but I guess iPad 2 have nearly zero value now and navionics still works on it.
 
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