What programs for 2012 Nexus 7?

[toyboy]

My wife has bought a Nexus 7 for 99 quid from Argos. Apparently it is a re-issue of the 2012 version. We only sail coastal from the Orwell so would folks advise what programs I should download onto it please? It has 32Gb memory so plenty of room for more than one I imagine.

 

[Burnham Bob]

It's only wifi so you won't be able to use it away from a wifi source for internet etc, but you can navigate with it as it has a gps that works fine without phone or internet contact. A friend of mie has SEaClear from Visit My Harbour and I have to say it was very impressive once you got the hang of it. Word of advice, install a 12volt charging socket on the boat (available from Maplins for a few quid) and get a 12 volt travel charger. These days the same charger charges my Kindle, Nexus 7 and phone.

Smart Compass is a great app for emergency steering. However, I downloaded mx player and its great for watching movies. (PM me if you want details of how to rip DVDs etc) Plus BBC iplayer allows downloads at home to watch at anchor. You may be able to create a mobile wifi hotspot with your mobile phone so you can connect to the internet.

SkEye is a great app for identifying stars when you are at anchor away from light pollution. Most of the apps I use on the boat are best on the mobile phone because things like UK Tides and the various weather forecasts need 3G connection to update.

 

[Koeketiene]

My wife has bought a Nexus 7 for 99 quid from Argos. Apparently it is a re-issue of the 2012 version. We only sail coastal from the Orwell so would folks advise what programs I should download onto it please? It has 32Gb memory so plenty of room for more than one I imagine.

Free Apps:
- UK Tides (FR Tides also available if you have a use for it)
- Wind Guru
- Marine Weather

Paid Apps:
Have the following installed
- Navionics Europe HD
- Navionics UK&Holland HD

I was at first reluctant to use a tablet on the boat, but am slowly being converted.
They have their uses.

 

[Burnham Bob]

agree entirely that the first three are excellent but although i have them on the nexus and the phone, they only work on the nexus when i have a wifi signal. at anchor or away from home the phone picks them up over the data part of my phone contract. you can of course connect to wifi in most marinas but for truly portable sailing info you'll need an android phone. once you have a gmail profile, you can register the phone on the same profile as the nexus 7 (or the nexus 7 if you already have a google progile) and the apps are available in both. paid for apps don't need to be paid fro twice - just download to phone and tablet and if you get a new phone or tablet at any time you can download the app to them too. i did afte one phone took a swim.

 

[Burnham Bob]

and ps.....waterproofing tablets is easy for cockpit use although not for immersion! a friend does it with his ipad and another with his samsung. wrap them in clingfilm. works a treat, is cheap and there's no overheating problem we've come across so far.

 

[toyboy]

It's only wifi so you won't be able to use it away from a wifi source for internet etc, but you can navigate with it as it has a gps that works fine without phone or internet contact. A friend of mie has SEaClear from Visit My Harbour and I have to say it was very impressive once you got the hang of it. Word of advice, install a 12volt charging socket on the boat (available from Maplins for a few quid) and get a 12 volt travel charger. These days the same charger charges my Kindle, Nexus 7 and phone.

Smart Compass is a great app for emergency steering. However, I downloaded mx player and its great for watching movies. (PM me if you want details of how to rip DVDs etc) Plus BBC iplayer allows downloads at home to watch at anchor. You may be able to create a mobile wifi hotspot with your mobile phone so you can connect to the internet.

SkEye is a great app for identifying stars when you are at anchor away from light pollution. Most of the apps I use on the boat are best on the mobile phone because things like UK Tides and the various weather forecasts need 3G connection to update.

Thanks Bob. That is very helpful. I will have My Harbour and hopefully Navionics and SkEye.

 

[toyboy]

Free Apps:
- UK Tides (FR Tides also available if you have a use for it)
- Wind Guru
- Marine Weather

Paid Apps:
Have the following installed
- Navionics Europe HD
- Navionics UK&Holland HD

I was at first reluctant to use a tablet on the boat, but am slowly being converted.
They have their uses.

I had already heard of Navionics and decided to ask about it. I have a charging socket and an android phone with GPS so I think I may be able to blue tooth too if necessary.
I saw a demonstration by a chap of how he sailed across to the continent using Navionics and an Ipad but I still don't understand how he worked out course to steer as I could only see Navionics was telling him where he had been?

 

[toyboy]

agree entirely that the first three are excellent but although i have them on the nexus and the phone, they only work on the nexus when i have a wifi signal. at anchor or away from home the phone picks them up over the data part of my phone contract. you can of course connect to wifi in most marinas but for truly portable sailing info you'll need an android phone. once you have a gmail profile, you can register the phone on the same profile as the nexus 7 (or the nexus 7 if you already have a google progile) and the apps are available in both. paid for apps don't need to be paid fro twice - just download to phone and tablet and if you get a new phone or tablet at any time you can download the app to them too. i did afte one phone took a swim.

Handy information thanks. I have a google profile so I will experiment.

 

[toyboy]

and ps.....waterproofing tablets is easy for cockpit use although not for immersion! a friend does it with his ipad and another with his samsung. wrap them in clingfilm. works a treat, is cheap and there's no overheating problem we've come across so far.

Yes I have lost two phones in a single race once:-(