I do not believe that a tablet of any kind is a good enough navigation instrument (I have a Garmin 720 and I trust it much more (I can see the screen in full sunlight without problems, it is completely waterproof and I can operate it with keys (not touch)), but I find that if you want a tablet for anything you are much better off with a low cost ( I don't necessarily mean cheap) tablet that you can use as disposable. I had very good success with a Dell Venue Pro (Windows), an Acer (also Windows) and an ASUS Android one. I also find that the 7-8 inch tablets are much less prone to shattering problems (they are simply much easier to handle and they have a size that is much better for keeping in one's hand). The cost can be as low as just around $100 (8" Android) or around $200 for an 8" Windows. For that money you can break 3 and buy the 4th and you just come about to the cost of the Surface Pro or worse yet to the cost of a cheap iPad.
None of the generally available tablets is waterproof or even hardened, so I would not use it in the cockpit where it might be subjected to water damage. If you want a keyboard, you can easily buy a BT keyboard for under $30. Add 410 more an you have a complete system with a carrying case and keyboard. I have a Surface at work and I don't find the screen any better than 1/4 price Dell Venue (or even 1/10 price Acer). It is only bigger. True, the case is metal, but if you drop it a few times on the ground, the screen will break. A word of caution: If you buy a Windows tablet, spend more and get a 64 GB version (or bigger). With 32 GB you will have a major juggling task if you need to make a major system upgrade. This unfortunately means that the majority of tablets that are available on sale are out. Marek 2015 8" Dell Venue Pro (Win 10) 2012 7" Asus (Android) 2014 8" Acer Iconia (Android) Ottawa, ON -----Original Message----- From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Ryan Doyle via CnC-List Sent: Monday, October 31, 2016 17:40 To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Ryan Doyle <ryanpdo...@gmail.com> Subject: Stus-List Best new tablet for nav/general use Hi all, I have a Garmin GPSmap 740 chartplotter and a Garmin radar, but I am looking to buy a tablet computer (possibly a Microsoft surface or an iPad) to supplement the Garmin unit as an electronic chartplotter (running navionics and raster charts) as well as just being my general computer - for writing emails, web browsing, and using Microsoft word. I was looking hard at the Microsoft surface because it comes with a keyboard, however it does not have an internal GPS receiver. I'm sure they make USB GPS receivers though. My requirements are: a good keyboard, a touch screen, GPS (for running nav apps) and it needs to be sturdy tough enough to hold up reasonably well on a boat. I have destroyed two iPads (the screens shattered) by traveling with them and being a tad clumsy, so i don't trust myself with iPads anymore... I'm looking for something hardier. Would love to hear what people out there are using on their boats. Thanks in advance, Ryan Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated! _______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
