So I Am Buying an iPad, Which One?

[LBW399]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Here is my iPad 3 at the helm. It works, but in bright noon time light my chartplotter is far better

I don't see a lot of difference between them looking at your pic actually.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Kiwi399

I don't see a lot of difference between them looking at your pic actually.

Your right, with that picture it looks the same.
The problem comes when you need to put a zip lock bag over the iPad so it will not get wet. Then it starts to become hard to view.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1145795

[LBW399]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Your right, with that picture it looks the same.
The problem comes when you need to put a zip lock bag over the iPad so it will not get wet. Then it starts to become hard to view.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1145795

Fair point. I do think however chartplotter manufacturers are going to need a rethink about their product and it's cost. A chartplotter with the equivalent screen size would force me to almost take out a mortgage. So for me there is no question whatsoever that an IPAD will be my chartplotter, sunlight problems or not.

On another matter, it is also my understanding that a little bluetooth unit like an Xdual-GPS ensures you will always have GPS position on your IPAD nav app whether you have the internal GPS version or just the wi-fi IPAD version or not.

It is also my understanding you never need buy a sim card for the internal GPS version of IPAD to give you a position.

[s/v Jedi]

The internal GPS normally outperforms an external GPS for the same price so buying internal GPS is better. It also supports GLONASS so is more than GPS. I'm not sure if the Dual supports GLONASS.

A ziplock bag can't compete with a glass lens which to me is no surprise. Logic dictates that replacing the ziplock bag with a waterproof case with good quality lens solves that problem.

It is correct that you need no SIM card for the GPS to work.

[LBW399]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

The internal GPS normally outperforms an external GPS for the same price so buying internal GPS is better. It also supports GLONASS so is more than GPS. I'm not sure if the Dual supports GLONASS.

A ziplock bag can't compete with a glass lens which to me is no surprise. Logic dictates that replacing the ziplock bag with a waterproof case with good quality lens solves that problem.

It is correct that you need no SIM card for the GPS to work.

Yes, apparently the IPAD w/internal GPS will give you a position even in mid ocean- but be good to get some confirmation of that from someone who has tested that for real.
At less than $100 bucks, a bluetooth receiver like X-dual ensures you will never have to worry if it does or not. A similar product is the strangely named "Bad-Elf" which does the same thing.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Kiwi399

Yes, apparently the IPAD w/internal GPS will give you a position even in mid ocean- but be good to get some confirmation of that from someone who has tested that for real.
At less than $100 bucks, a bluetooth receiver like X-dual ensures you will never have to worry if it does or not. A similar product is the strangely named "Bad-Elf" which does the same thing.

I don't understand your worry. You want a less ideal solution because of a worry that only exists in your mind?

[LBW399]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I don't understand your worry. You want a less ideal solution because of a worry that only exists in your mind?

Eh? I did just ask if anyone that's crossed an Ocean has tested out the ability of the IPAD with internal GPS to still give you a position. And I am not the only one to question this. A certain five time circumnaviagtor asked the same thing: Evanston: props; clarification; iPadding

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I don't understand your worry. You want a less ideal solution because of a worry that only exists in your mind?

I 2nd that. Why 2nd guess something that works, built in, out of the box.

[LBW399]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

I 2nd that. Why 2nd guess something that works, built in, out of the box.

Jeezuz guys was just asking the question! If it will still give you a position mid ocean then all is well in life and we can confine Xdual and Badelfs to the dustbin.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Kiwi399

Jeezuz guys was just asking the question! If it will still give you a position mid ocean then all is well in life and we can confine Xdual and Badelfs to the dustbin.

Yes, Dustbin

[s/v Jedi]

There's nothing special about being mid-ocean; the GPS and GLONASS satellites are overhead, at similar distances from you wherever you are.

What is confusing you is that you need to buy the 3G/4G model to get GPS. They should have called it the Navigation model instead.

[c.spots]

It even works in the South Pacific where some satellite phone systems (and the Spot devices) do not have coverage.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by c.spots

It even works in the South Pacific where some satellite phone systems (and the Spot devices) do not have coverage.

Most of those services are implemented with geostationary satellites; this means they are stationary when observed from Earth and they are above the equator. This makes them unusable from polar regions extending out to South Pacific.

Other services, incl. GPS, GLONASS and Iridium use low orbit satellites and cover the whole planet.

[SmartMove]

Originally Posted by Kiwi399

Fair point. I do think however chartplotter manufacturers are going to need a rethink about their product and it's cost. A chartplotter with the equivalent screen size would force me to almost take out a mortgage. So for me there is no question whatsoever that an IPAD will be my chartplotter, sunlight problems or not.

On another matter, it is also my understanding that a little bluetooth unit like an Xdual-GPS ensures you will always have GPS position on your IPAD nav app whether you have the internal GPS version or just the wi-fi IPAD version or not.

It is also my understanding you never need buy a sim card for the internal GPS version of IPAD to give you a position.

We have used a iPad 4G for navigation. While not exactly offshore, BVI to Fajardo PR, it guided us quite well though the maze of reefs here. We do have a chartplotter, but I had forgotten to bring the SIM card when we picked the boat up in the BVI. We would probably never use the iPad as our primary, but I confident that if everything else failed the iPad would get us safely to our destination. I should also note the iPad was not purchased for navigation purpose, mostly for entertainment. However, the navigation abilities was a nice bonus.

Before the bashing starts, let me also say we carry paper charts as well -- we are a belt and suspenders type of couple!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Kiwi399

Yes, apparently the IPAD w/internal GPS will give you a position even in mid ocean- but be good to get some confirmation of that from someone who has tested that for real.

Yes it does work.

I know there's still naysayers on the net so on my last passage I screen shot it in mid atlantic. But the photo is on my iPad... and one cant get stuff off it onto a real computer without the net... and my net is on the real computer at the moment. LOL

I will load it next time I'm ashore with the iPad