Using an Ipad as a plotter

[franksingleton]

I've been getter ever larger screens as my eyes get older - which iPad verson do you have Frank and (as I seem to recall you sail somewhere that has the concept of sunshine still) do you have any problems with seeing the screen in bright sunlight?

Hi, grumpy_o

To answer, you question, I have an iPad 2. This post goes beyond your query but I never know when to stop!

I too have an eyesight problem with slowly deteriorating vision due to myopic macular degeneration and paper charts; in fact any hard copy is now a problem. I wanted a large screen but did not want o pay for a large screen chartplotter. An iPad seemed a sensible option because I wanted one for talking boos, music, photo and video libraries.

I have iNavX software and I interface with a Digital Yachts AIT1000 which has its own GPS. I now have three GPSs. My old Garmin 152, an even older handheld (4 satellite Garmin) and the AIT1000.

We are very pleased with the whole setup. Use on the chart table is no problem. It is not good in sunlight although the “Instrument” display is not too bad. This gibes you position, course, speed. Distance to next waypoint, time to destination etc etc.There are some little quirks with the software which is not as sophisticated as a proprietary brand chartplotter.

However, we have been using it now for about 3 months this year and it has been a life
haver (do I mean sailing saver) for me. A positive virtue is that I can pass it over the table to the first mate who does not have to usurp my position at the chart table to see the ecreen. Also, I can hold it at an optimum distance and position for me.

We had a protective film put on to protect the screen and a waterproof container lie for camera or cell phone. It can be used through this with no difficulty.

Perhaps the main disadvantage is that she no longer believes that navigation is highly skilled.

All in all, for our type of sailing, short passages of a day or two, it does everything that I want.

 

[nigelmercier]

INavX can use a number of different charts, of which Navionics from X Traverse...

I'm a bit confused about iNavX, it seems you have to buy the app, then the charts; is this correct?

 

[snooks]

I'm a bit confused about iNavX, it seems you have to buy the app, then the charts; is this correct?

Yup....but it's the best app I've found for actually navigating: Putting in waypoints and being able to navigate to them, getting AIS overlay, saving routes etc

 

[franksingleton]

Yup....but it's the best app I've found for actually navigating: Putting in waypoints and being able to navigate to them, getting AIS overlay, saving routes etc

Agree. I forget the exact figues but, I think about 60 USD for iNavX and rather less for all charts from Blbium down to and including Atlantic Spain. Think of the cost of the paper charts. I think that you get free updates for 2 years. Snooks?

 

[chartnavigator]

Yup....but it's the best app I've found for actually navigating: Putting in waypoints and being able to navigate to them, getting AIS overlay, saving routes etc

Very good with the GPS function and OK when inshore in range of 3G for plotting AIS but how ever do you manage to plot course and distance allowing for tidal streams with iNavX's pathetic distance measuring device?

Is there a way of placing one end at a point and swinging the other to a place outside of the visible screen area? I.e. can you zoom the chart display and then place the other end of the distance measure? I'm blowed if I can find a way to do it and so it is almost impossible to measure tidal vectors accurately in order to place tide-stream corrected waypoints at one hour intervals.

If you want to do that you need Imray Chart Navigator and it's clever distance measuring ruler showing distance and bearing on both ends and at any zoom of the chart.

I realise that is not the way most people seem to do it, but why be limited by a software oversight when Imray provides an excellent solution. As I said, I think it's worth having both apps and fully utilising their best features.

Regards Chris.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Hi, grumpy_o

To answer, you question, I have an iPad 2... ...All in all, for our type of sailing, short passages of a day or two, it does everything that I want.

Thank you for that - I might need to invest in a waterproof cover and some software and start taking mine with me then.

 

[nigelmercier]

http://www.routelist.co.uk/

On this page you say "'iPrinting HD' (not free), is a screen capturer + more. 'Capture' an iPad screen and automatically put it in Photos..."

You don't need an app to print or do a screen capture on an iPad.

AirPrint for Windows

iPad screen capture

I think I'll wait for Navionics to get their finger out and release the apps with the Canary Islands. I only need the iPad for a backup.

 

[chartnavigator]

On this page you say "'iPrinting HD' (not free), is a screen capturer + more. 'Capture' an iPad screen and automatically put it in Photos..."

You don't need an app to print or do a screen capture on an iPad.

AirPrint for Windows

iPad screen capture


It just goes to show you should never think you know it all. I thank you for this information. I have been labouring under the impression that it was iPrintingHD that was doing the business just because I was following the iPrintingHD directions when screen capturing.

I shall modify my website info accordingly. It's even better that iPrintingHD is not needed. I didn't get on all that well with it anyway but thought it was doing the screen grab function for me. Well waddayaknow? Thanks again.

: I've just made that correction, thanks again, you've made my day.

Regards Chris.

 

[chartnavigator]

Agree. Think of the cost of the paper charts. I think that you get free updates for 2 years.

You are not likely to need them though if you rely only on an iPad to replace paper charts. Isn't it Murphey's law that states 'If a thing can break down, it will, and always at the most inopportune moment'. I would'nt like to cross the Bay of Biscay with only an iPad for navigation. Even only electronic aids is winging it a bit really.

Extending the logic of replacing 'old fashioned' methods with newfangled technology one might also ditch all the flares over the side and rely only on the VHF and EPIRBS.

Regards Chris.

 

[franksingleton]

You are not likely to need them though if you rely only on an iPad to replace paper charts. Isn't it Murphey's law that states 'If a thing can break down, it will, and always at the most inopportune moment'. I would'nt like to cross the Bay of Biscay with only an iPad for navigation. Even only electronic aids is winging it a bit really.

Extending the logic of replacing 'old fashioned' methods with newfangled technology one might also ditch all the flares over the side and rely only on the VHF and EPIRBS.

Regards Chris.

Thanks, Chris

I would never advocate having an iPad or a dedicated chartplotter with no back-up. We still have our Garmin 152 and a handheld. We still have some charts, although by no means as many as we would have carried and not necessarily up to date. It would not be the end of the world were the iPad to fail. I also carry a laptop with OpenCPN but that is relatively power hungry. We have belts and braces enough.

 

[chartnavigator]

Belts and braces are good if you don't want to be caught with your pants down. I can see you've done this salty sailing thing before!

 

[chartnavigator]

[Link removed by Admin....No Advertising]

 

[maxi77]

[Link removed by Admin....No Advertising]

Looked at your site and for me it has several problems, first my antivirus tells me your site is suspicious, not a ggod thing, and it does not display properly so even if I was in the market I would look elsewhere as I cannot really find out what you are offering as half you stuff does not display

 

[maxi77]

I must admit I would not buy an Ipad to use as a plotter as the main reason for buying it, but if I had the need for one anyway it would be a sensible back up device. In my opinion a purpose built plotter is by far the best thing, mounted in the cockpit

 

[chartnavigator]

Looked at your site and for me it has several problems . . . . ., half you stuff does not display

Thanks for alerting me to this Peter. The website is hosted by Moonfruit.com. I can't think why your virus checker should get jumpy over it. I'll have a word with Moonfruit about that. As to content being inaccessible, it should be easily accessible from an iPad and the files are mostly pdf's easily downloadable to either Mac or PC. Perhaps your virus checker is getting 'parental' with you and being over protective.

Would you tell me what you are using to view the content? Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, iPad, Phone etc. Firefox, Safari, Other? I hate to think I'm unable to reach interested people.

 

[chartnavigator]

I would not buy an Ipad to use as a plotter as the main reason for buying it, In my opinion a purpose built plotter is by far the best thing, mounted in the cockpit

I agree but you can't take a purpose built plotter back to your living room and work out tide stream corrected headings for your routes so that your waypoints are exactly 1 hour apart and utilize the best possible streams and currents for your passage.

An iPad can do this at home for dozens of different routes, and then the Waypoint and Coordinates Data for your passage on the day of departure can be entered into your dedicated plotter before shoving off. Plus you have the iPad as backup Plotter / AIS / Calculator and everything else an iPad can do.

 

[prv]

Would you tell me what you are using to view the content? Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, iPad, Phone etc. Firefox, Safari, Other?

In Chrome on Linux I just see a grey rectangle.

I hate to think I'm unable to reach interested people.

Fortunately, I'm not especially interested in somebody else's self-published instructions on how to use a piece of software

Pete

 

[chartnavigator]

In Chrome on Linux I just see a grey rectangle.

I'm not especially interested in somebody else's self-published instructions on how to use a piece of software

Thanks for the system info - I'll pass it on to Moonfruit. I have to say though that not having an iPad is a greater hindrance to you appreciating what's on offer, than having Chrome, Linux and a blank grey rectangle.

OK, so not everyone enjoys learning from others explorations but others prefer a discrete guide instead of 'trial and error suck it and see'.

 

[chartnavigator]

Any forum member interested in route planning with Imray Chart Navigator on the iPad? Latest news on my iBook can be found here routelist.co.uk

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Primary nav on charts and mark one eyeball.

Secondary GPS via Imray charts on Ipad using Bad elf DGPS dongle. 5m accuracy with EGNOS.

What else do you need?