Ipad 2 as a Chartplotter / GPS

[James S]

Originally Posted by ddfishon

I don't get it. I thought that the iPads just have A-GPS (assisted). Are the iPad users buying an external GPS or does the iPad2 have a chip?

Welcome to the forum ddfishon.

[57guy]

Originally Posted by ddfishon

I don't get it. I thought that the iPads just have A-GPS (assisted). Are the iPad users buying an external GPS or does the iPad2 have a chip?

There are two models of iPad's. The wi-fi model (cheaper) and the wi-fi plus 3G.

The 3G model has GPS built in and you don't need an external ant. The wi-fi only, you will need some kind of ext ant.

Be sure and get all the memory you can afford, because the maps are stored in the memory of the iPad so that you can use them without an internet connection.

Another thing to note is, no matter what the salesman tells you, you do not need to sign up for Monthly Cell service. They will ask you what carrier you want because there are two different models of iPad 3G. Verizon and AT&T. Pick the one that you would use in the future if you decided to connect the ipad to the cell.
Apple Store salesman are not on a commission and will tell you the truth, other third party stores that sell iPad, the salesman usually get an extra commission if he talks you into a two year contract with a cell carrier.

[mhans]

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

... on going ashore, we found everyone speaking French, so we concluded that we had sailed right past the little casino country.

SL2HL! (still laughing two hours later)

[eoffermann]

I love having the iPad available as an auxiliary chart plotter. It's easy to see, handy to have nearby, and is great for monitoring your progress. I use iNavX and MotionX GPS HD for US Coastal cruising though the Navionics apps will be there for my far-offshore adventures next year.

I use OpenCPN for route planning on the laptop and the iPad for charting progress. It's convenient because it gives me an excellent way to quickly and easily review progress throughout the day and night without the power drain of unnecessarily running the laptop. By charting my desired course a day or two in advance on the iPad, I can keep everything handy and mobile. I like it a lot.

[r.fairman]

Of course you can still use your favourite nav software on your laptop and display it with full functionality and touch control on your iPad. Use Team Viewer app from the store It's free for personal use. I connect to my laptop over an adhoc network that does not need a router or an internet connection. With team viewer you can even control a laptop at home from anywhere in the world. I sometimes use it with the laptop web cam to babysit the dog.

Regards

Richard

[Strait Shooter]

Originally Posted by r.fairman

Of course you can still use your favourite nav software on your laptop and display it with full functionality and touch control on your iPad. Use Team Viewer app from the store It's free for personal use. I connect to my laptop over an adhoc network that does not need a router or an internet connection. With team viewer you can even control a laptop at home from anywhere in the world. I sometimes use it with the laptop web cam to babysit the dog.

Regards

Richard

I'm downloading the app as I type this on my iPad 2. Thanks for the tip!

I use my iPad in the cockpit and switch between an AIS app, iNavx and navionics a lot for position checking. I keep it in a overboard waterproof sleeve that is attached to the pilothouse door. I can see my radar through a pilothouse window and have navigated on cold, wet, dark nights through the Sound in heavy shipping traffic without any qualms at all. I also have a toughbook in the pilothouse but find the iPad a lot more convenient and flexible outside than a mfd screen.

I'll use what works.

[klang]

The latest MotionX-GPS software (ver 16) is $US2.99! and appears to cover not just marine navigation but land & air as well. Seems to be some difficulties downloading and some glitches in operating it. See review http://www.brighthand.com/default.as...Phone+GPS+iPad