Best Cockpit Tablet?

[Dockhead]

Like a lot of you, I use a tablet in the cockpit for various purposes, including mirroring one of my Zeus plotters for when I am huddled under the spray hood in bad weather.

I have been using a Sony Xperia Z2 which is somewhat waterproof. But it is certainly not rugged -- I smashed the screen on it with just a slight bump.

Now I'm trying decide whether or not to replace it with another of the same (or maybe a Z4, but they are expensive), or whether something like the Samsung Tab Active, which is both somewhat waterproof AND somewhat rugged. It's only 8" vs 10", but that is at the same time an advantage, too. It will be too small to run OpenCPN on (but I couldn't practically run it on the 10" tablet either), but same size and resolution as the main plotter screen, should be fine for that.

Anyone have any views on this? Or different suggestions?

[a64pilot]

More as a bump than anything, but I use an IPad, which is obviously a calm weather device, but some will tell us about the lifeproof case.
I know from using them in an aircraft, about the time you need it, it either locks up, or shuts down due to being overheated from sunlight.
So I’m interested in a decent tablet also.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

More as a bump than anything, but I use an IPad, which is obviously a calm weather device, but some will tell us about the lifeproof case.
I know from using them in an aircraft, about the time you need it, it either locks up, or shuts down due to being overheated from sunlight.
So I’m interested in a decent tablet also.

I have an IPad - an ancient version 1.0 hand me down which has given years of service. I have INavX on it, but it is too old for the GoFree plotter mirroring app.

But IPlods aren't waterproof so not on my list.

[fgd3]

My approach is to buy any 8" tablet that is on sale for $30. When one fails I just pull another out of the box. Tablets are too delicate to justify spending a lot of money on one when you can treat them as disposable items.

Fabbian

[Sailmonkey]

These are quite expensive, but they survive oilfield beatings.....overkill? Quite likely, but an option.

https://www.xploretech.com/us/rugged...iAAEgKRLfD_BwE

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

These are quite expensive, but they survive oilfield beatings.....overkill? Quite likely, but an option.

https://www.xploretech.com/us/rugged...iAAEgKRLfD_BwE

Anytime you try to buy something online, and instead of a price, you get "Click to get a quote", you know you can't afford it

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Anytime you try to buy something online, and instead of a price, you get "Click to get a quote", you know you can't afford it

I did say they were spendy!![emoji41]

[Wayne hoath]

I use an 12.9 iPad Pro with the catalyst waterproof case and navionics. The case alone was £120 so pretty pricey! Works great.

[robert sailor]

Our world in cruising has certainly changed over the years and tablets have been at the forefront. We have both iPad and Samsung tablets in 7 inch and 10 inch sizes. We have Navionics on all of them and Open CPN on the 10 inch Samsung. It's getting to be a chore just keeping them all charged up but life is so bloody easy. Don't have to navigate anymore, anchor alarms make life less stressful, it's all good and we both love them. I can't see the value in paying big bucks for smash proof and waterproof tablets. We keep one in the cockpit covered by the dodger and under waterproof material when not being used. We have a small drybag we use when transporting them. We have enough of them that one is redundant so no problems there.
My only advice would be to dedicate one or two to navigation only and use others for email, apps etc.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I have an IPad - an ancient version 1.0 hand me down which has given years of service. I have INavX on it, but it is too old for the GoFree plotter mirroring app.

But IPlods aren't waterproof so not on my list.

I have three on the boat, this Pro I’m using and two others that are older.
They can be made waterproof apparently with a case, I have not done that myself.
I have one outside to run Garmin Bluecharts with, and I know it’s going soon, it’s already beginning to crash and act strange, but I want it for the AC integration, it’s invaluable for the ICW.

I’m looking for a better solution, and other software that has AC imbedded. I have Navionics, but don’t think it does Active Capt?

Tablet wise, I’d want one that I could get a RAM mount for.

[CatNewBee]

Galaxy Tab A has GPS, but unfortunately no magnet field sensors (compass). so partially usable as long as you do not need the magnetic compass function.

Nice rugged 3rd party rubber cases available.

[daletournier]

I haven't been able to purchase a Samsung active 8? Thought they weren't making them anymore?

It ticks the right boxes for me.

[a64pilot]

Bluetooth GPS is easy, and cheap.
Also my IPad when connected to the Gofree gets GPS position from it for Navionics, and sometimes for BlueChart, but not always.
GPS is too easy to add if you need to, move to have built in, but not absolutely essential.
Why would you want a heading sensor in your tablet?

[robert sailor]

My wife's 10 inch iPad is in a waterproof case, it's the slowest and least dependable tablet we have for navigation, constantly loses the GPS signal. My 10 inch Samsung is also in a case but it's not really water proof but it's the quickest on Nav stuff, never loses the GPS signal.

[IslandHop]

I did see one company making a phone to military specs, was given to a small child and survived everything. The darn thing was cheaper than a hyped up new phone, ad was in a mag. A tablet would be great