IMHO
Tablets can be fine but I prefer an integrated chart-plotter. The one
that I have chosen for now is the Garmin 74dv echomap chirp system. I like the
fact that I can have two separate mounts for it, one at the helm that it snaps
into when I am there that ties into everything and one down below when I want
to lay out tracks waypoints etc. it also comes with a mini-SD card that can
also be programmed or used for historical data.
I presently using it with an in hull transducer just forward of the
keel in the the V berth locker on my C&C 35-1. Works like a charm and no worry
about water leaks.
There are a great many features for it from setting up the view(s) you
want and it accepts the nmea integrations also.
I have mine set up to display 3D from above and behind, a regular
chart, sounding graph and wind direction/speed. Along with this it also over
lays numerical gps coord, speed, heading, on off course etc.
For those really interested in what the bottom looks like you can
spend a few more scheckels and get the Side view (sv) or panoptic (i.e. 3D )
bottom view.
Either way it is a good mid to lower cost unit.
Rod Meryweather
Sent from my iPhone
> On Nov 1, 2016, at 05:49, Dave S <syerd...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2016 02:27:45 +0000
> From: Marek Dziedzic <dziedzi...@hotmail.com>
> To: "cnc-list@cnc-list.com" <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
> Subject: Re: Stus-List Best new tablet for nav/general use
> Message-ID:
>
> <cy4pr17mb095143d6466e9e5cd9c9903cce...@cy4pr17mb0951.namprd17.prod.outlook.com>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> 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!
