Which smartphone?

C

cmedsailor

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Sep 2007
Messages
1,830
Location
East Med...
Visit site
I have an opportunity to get a smartphone (company phone) and would like something that could have a "place" in the boat. Most importantly a back up chart plotter (something that doesn't need internet to work but similar to a "proper" plotter with gps received), for both water and streets.
Any suggestions of phones and applications?
Thanks

PS: I don't care about fancy cameras or video recorders
 
many would disagree with me, but I would say "dont bother". I have a smartphone and the navionics app for it and find it next to useless. As an emergency back up to a chartplotter, you would be way better off with a paper chart and an old handheld gps - trying to use the navionics app on such a small screen is really difficult and it lacks all sorts of necessary functions like TRK/CMG. Another problem is that as the screen size gets smaller your finger ends stay the same size to screen tapping on a nav program is an exercise in frustration.

If the firm will run to it, and IPad or equivalent is much better. It also works better for the www and for things like weather.

My contract is coming due in July and I plan on changing back to a normal phone, maybe one of the waterproof tough type phones.

If the above doesnt dissuade you then you can do a lot worse than the Samsung Galaxy. Son who has both I Phone and Galaxy in the house much prefers the latter.
 
General info-

You'd be hard pressed to get a new Windows Mobile phone these days but my back up's back up is Memory Map on a WMobile HTC Touch Diamond.

COG SOG and track and integrates with laptop easily

Hopefully going to get used tomorrow at4.30 launch (fog permitting!)

Nick
 
I've been using Memory Map on a Windows phone for about 8 years and it's been fine as a backup plotter. The phones have come and gone, but my original investment in the charts has paid off (you can use them on a PC as well). The software is better than the Navionics app, although the charts are much dearer. I would go for Memory Map on an Andriod phone next time. One problem is you can't get chart updates (though you can add annotations). You can do passage planning and tracks, and even AIS if you by the 'pro' version. The Windows version I have worked better on the older style touchscreen which uses a stylus, because you need to be able to pick points precisely. On a finger touch screen (capacitative, like the iphone and ipad) it's more haphazard, and sometimes downright impossible to say, select a waypoint. I'm tempted by Samsung Note for its large screen and stylus, though I'll probably wait until I can pick one up s/h at a reasonable price.
 
I have a Galaxy Note having switched from an iPhone 3GS and am very happy with it except one glaring issue. It is just that little bit too big to fit in my jeans pocket (actually another issue is the the power button and volume buttons are directly opposite each other on the edges, meaning you frequently cancel out of apps by mistake when you're picking it up or rotating it).

Great screen, loads of functionality and I'm happy to not be tied to iTunes anymore. Also I'm quite happy seeing the return of a stylus (still have my Handspring Visor sitting on my desk), and working with Navionics, it comes into its own (using your fingers can be frustrating with Navionics as you can't quite see what you're trying to highlight or pinpoint, whereas with a stylus it's easypeasy).

Now looking for a Navtex Receiver like the one from Blackcat (http://www.blackcatsystems.com/ipad/iPad_NAVTEX_Pad.html) for the iPad/iPhone. This worked with an input from an SSB Receiver (in fact you could just hold it up to the speaker). Anyone know of something similar for Android?

PT.
 
there is an interesting point in this thread and the one on android tablets - the use of a stylus. if I were able to use a stylus on my galaxy phone with the navionics app, it would make all the difference to practicality. without it, using a small phone screen ( even one as big and clear as the galaxy) is a PITA.

For the same reason I suspect tablets with a stylus are more practical than the I Pad.
 
Get a Nokia. Get the cheap model without 3G, big screen etc. This way, 4 days into your trip you'll still have battery power and the call quality will be excelent. by boat phone is a Nokia 6300 :)


nokia6300.gif


The iPhone and Android are nice but kept in a tupperware box on board. The iPad can do web browsing etc but is similarly protected from bumps and water. Smartphones are universally terrible at making phone calls and keeping signal.
 
iPhone 4S is the best option for what you want to do.
Good navigation apps available to download I just downloaded the Navionics UK& Holland charts for 69p.
It works for phone calls and a good range of apps for other uses available.
You may want to consider an additional battery or make sure you have a 12v adapter for charging whislt afloat.
 
wotayottie said:
there is an interesting point in this thread and the one on android tablets - the use of a stylus. if I were able to use a stylus on my galaxy phone with the navionics app, it would make all the difference to practicality. without it, using a small phone screen ( even one as big and clear as the galaxy) is a PITA.

For the same reason I suspect tablets with a stylus are more practical than the I Pad.
Click to expand...
Does something like this help?
 
lustyd said:
Get a Nokia. Get the cheap model without 3G, big screen etc. This way, 4 days into your trip you'll still have battery power and the call quality will be excelent. by boat phone is a Nokia 6300 :)


nokia6300.gif


The iPhone and Android are nice but kept in a tupperware box on board. The iPad can do web browsing etc but is similarly protected from bumps and water. Smartphones are universally terrible at making phone calls and keeping signal.
Click to expand...

I have the Samsung B2100 instead and I love it!! Water proof and dust proof.
Extra bonus the little led.
 
NickRobinson said:
You'd be hard pressed to get a new Windows Mobile phone these days but my back up's back up is Memory Map on a WMobile HTC Touch Diamond.

COG SOG and track and integrates with laptop easily

Hopefully going to get used tomorrow at4.30 launch (fog permitting!)

Nick
Click to expand...

Hi Nick,

I use the Memory Map app on my Android smart phone (Sony Experia Ray). I use this as a backup to my Memory Map Adventurer 3500. See www.memory-map.co.uk

Regards,
David H.
 
Reptile Smile said:
+1

I've owned an iPhone and the S2 and there's simply no comparison - the S2 rinses it on every possible measurement and metric.
Click to expand...

Anyone who uses the word 'metric' can't be taken seriously...

Get an iphone. they just work and Navionics for 69p is a mega bargain.
 
Right. Thanks for that... Letting slide for the moment, that I'm not sure you understand what some words mean, you are, I presume, implying that Android, and in particular, the S2 doesn't 'just work'. Used both, have you? Owned both?

I've coded for both. If you want to discuss multi-threading performance and stack overflow, fine. If you want to seem a little petty and foolish about the word 'metric', knock yourself out, though you seem to be doing pretty well with that already...
 
Reptile Smile said:
Right. Thanks for that... Letting slide for the moment, that I'm not sure you understand what some words mean, you are, I presume, implying that Android, and in particular, the S2 doesn't 'just work'. Used both, have you? Owned both?

I've coded for both. If you want to discuss multi-threading performance and stack overflow, fine. If you want to seem a little petty and foolish about the word 'metric', knock yourself out, though you seem to be doing pretty well with that already...
Click to expand...

Right,thanks for that. I now fully understand why you use the word 'metrics'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top