Tablet mount for cockpit - any experiences?

I have a Samsung 10" tablet and use an OTTERBOX cover, which is not waterproof but gives shock protection and screen protection and you can plug in the power cable. I then mount it using a RAM holder and 1" diameter ball mounts. I have the ball mounts under the sprayhood and above the chart table. Works very well, and has never got wet as always under the sprayhood or inside. In daylight I have to turn the brightness up and keep the power cable connected(to keep the screen on). I bought the RAM mount from the US via eBay which was about half the price if I had bought from the UK - if I could have someone local who had any to show me. Very pleased with the whole setup.
 
Personally (and i know this is covered on the other thread that Moody Sabre linked to), i'd take the chance to swap them around... much better and easier to have the iPad at the chart table with regard to waterproofing, power supply etc... and the cost saved on a waterproof case will pay for a few beers!
 
I use my smart phone on a push bike in all weathers. Waterproofing provided by those a4 plastic wallets for folders. The touch facility still works through the plastic. Cheap as chips! My nexus 7 (old version) seemed harder to read in bright light. I was happy with it on a non slip pad on the chart table, plugged in to ensure battery life.
 
Yes a swap around is a good idea in theory. Unfortunately the existing plotter is an old Garmin GPSMap 162 (remember the old monochrome ones from about 15 years ago?). I'm reluctant to move it as (a) it would probably not survive the move and (b) if I did mount it neatly in the instrument binnacle Sod's law says it would probably die soon afterwards leaving me with a hole that would be unsuitable for anything newer.

The ipad solution is a bit of a stop-gap pending a new plotter with upstairs & downstairs screens. Feedback on the Over-board stuff seems positive, so I guess that's probably the way forward.
 
stu9000 said:
I use my smart phone on a push bike in all weathers. Waterproofing provided by those a4 plastic wallets for folders. The touch facility still works through the plastic. Cheap as chips! My nexus 7 (old version) seemed harder to read in bright light. I was happy with it on a non slip pad on the chart table, plugged in to ensure battery life.
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What mount do you use for your smartphone?
 
we are thinking about this as well. I use ram mounts on the motorbike and they are very good. I'm inclined to go down a waterproof case route - lifeproof or similar with a ram mount ball on the back and then fix some mounts in various places - cockpit and perhaps one more inside so it can be seen from the cockpit (to get shade from bright sunlight etc) and then a mount at the chart table as well - one ipad will cover it all then.

the lifeproof case allows charging whilst keeping the waterproof integrity of the casing meaning that we can charge "on the move" which is pretty essential if using the ipad consistently.

for this season we have just been hanging the ipad in the cockpit using one of those cheap waterproof covers (about £3) which has proved that the concept works - but obviously some care is needed not to damage the relatively expensive ipad
 
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I know I've said this in a few threads but if you have a sony xperia tablet you don't need a case because it is inherently waterproof. I have a strip of velcro tape stuck to the back of mine and a couple of places on the boat have a corresponding strip of tape so I can stick it to bulkheads or stick it up in the cockpit. No problems so far apart from the touchscreen is a bit temperamental when I have wet fingers.
 
PaulMcC said:
I know I've said this in a few threads but if you have a sony xperia tablet you don't need a case because it is inherently waterproof. I have a strip of velcro tape stuck to the back of mine and a couple of places on the boat have a corresponding strip of tape so I can stick it to bulkheads or stick it up in the cockpit. No problems so far apart from the touchscreen is a bit temperamental when I have wet fingers.
Click to expand...

Another endorsement for the Sony Xperia Z2 tablet. I chose it above other 10" tablets for the waterproof aspect and it has spent a lot of time in the cockpit during a recent six week cruise. As mentioned by PaulMcC the touchscreen can be a bit iffy when wet but only to be expected. I have found screen vis ok and battery life good. For me a strong reason for having the tablet available in the cockpit is the differing detail/resolution between chartplotter and tablet charts (Garmin v. Navionics or ANWB in my case). I would still retain a chartplotter in the cockpit due to its greater robustness. As a single-hander having the chart info confined below decks is not sensible.

Edit: I am still looking for the best mount solution, probably going for a RAM mount.
 
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