Of course, this discussion can easily go into what’s better: Christmas or Easter? (or Windows vs. Apple, which usually leads to holy wars).
I am not saying that I recommend against using tablets on-board. Rather, I don’t consider them Navigation Instruments (capitalisation intended). I do understand why delivery skippers take their own tablets when they sail other people’s boats – their tablet is a given; what you find on-board is at best a question mark. They probably also have a portable GPS in their backpack as a backup. And potentially a paper chart, as a backup to the backup. I fully agree on RAM mounts. They work great and you can easily move the device from place to place or turn it around to use from in front of the wheel. I don’t necessarily buy the argument that “the iPad is cheaper than a chartplotter”. You can buy a decent chartplotter for a price of an iPad. Of course the argument assumes that you bought the iPad already (so it comes free) and you have to buy the chartplotter outright. And if you drop the tablet, it is probably gone (and you don’t drop a chartplotter, at least not often). No question, upgrades to any tablet are infinitely easier (and cheaper) than to any chartplotter. You can’t even take the chartplotter home and upgrade it from the Internet. It is always a two step process (or is it a 4-step: download the upgrade, take it to the boat, swap the SD card, upgrade). Another issue might be that if you use a tablet, it is much more prone to getting stolen (if you leave it on the boat). Someone on the list mentioned that his SD card was stolen from a chartplotter. But the chartplotter is at least difficult to remove. On the other hand, if you take the tablet with you each time, you have to rig it back each time you sail. What about if you forget it at home? The good thing is that there are many choices and the cost of having a real-time map of where you are are dropping. Btw. I usually sail on a lake where a wave over 1 m would be considered extreme (though we get a splash over the helm on occasion (like twice a season)), so waterproofing the navigation instruments is not really an issue. The problem of readability in the sun is much more of an issue. Am I arguing against myself? Marek Ottawa, ON From: Dave S via CnC-List Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 05:50 To: C&c Stus List Cc: Dave S Subject: Re: Stus-List Best new tablet for nav/general use Am also looking for the right tablet choice - i use two ipad airs today, have played with a laptop, and my work machine - MS-surface pro4. Will respectfully and gently disagree with Marek on suitability of a tablet - IMO depending on the application a tablet is fine. Not likely to take Windstar 'round Cape Horn. Am part way through integrating a tablet with my instrumentation (with some great help from folks here) and for two seasons have used an ipad, ram mount and lifeproof case. Smashed one ipad season 1, (it was in my backpack, which took a tumble belowdecks) bought the case, then the mount. None of it cheap, but it's good stuff. Ram mount means I can choose multiple locations. Under the bimini, in the case, and on the mount, many of the tablet's shortcomings are overcome, and it's fine and reliable for Great Lakes daysailing and cruising. I like its portability, versatility, being able to jump between apps, tether to my phone, etc, and can update, upgrade or replace anything relatively inexpensively. (I have two ipads actually, and keep both onboard. Have also downloaded the chartplotter app to my iphone.) I like that I do not need a large pod and upgraded rail at the helm - It's crowded and costly enough. Details, rambling discourses, and a few toned-down rants here: http://cncwindstar.blogspot.ca/2016/09/electronics-what-to-do.html Still issues to resolve with using the iPad. It does many things well but does not play 100% well with other applications. Windows seems obvious but.... I agree with Marek on the windows tablets, - if you get one, you must get a good one. Was ready to buy and after investigation I decided against it. (so far) I have a surface pro 4 for work, works fine with a few maddening quirks, but it is expensive, seems fragile, and the power connection is definitely designed for on-the-desk use.. Also agree with Marek on the smaller tablets - handier. The ipad air especially the MS-Surface are both very non-ergonomic in the hands, and easy to drop as you know. The lifeproof case helps this. Whatever you get, make sure you can also get a good case and mount. Agreed also on the BT keyboard. IF you want a weatherproof and rugged case you will not have an attached keyboard. Without a GPS receiver you can always get a dongle (fragile) or bluetooth type. Google "Bad elf" or Garmin GLO. I have the latter and it works fine. Windstar has 3 GPS antennae... By using bluetooth and possibly onboard GPS you will require more frequent charging. Have installed a blueseas dual USB charger at my nav station (handy) but a rugged connection to power at the helm is a resolvable problem I have not yet resolved. Dave
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