So I Am Buying an iPad, Which One?

[jim_thomsen]

One of the advantages of an iPad for navigation is the low price of charts. Our chart plotter is Raymarine and uses Navioics, which usually are excellent. But for some areas (example: Chesterfield Reefs in the Coral Sea) C maps are better. With my iPad I have iNavx with Navioics, Plan2nav for C maps and I just got the Garmin app.

[landonshaw]

I have read in this thread on a number of occasions that the iPad would not be considered a primary navigational tool. Would someone tell why this might be? Then, would someone please innumerate the qualities of a primary system. Give a name brand only as an example, I would rather this not get into likes and dislikes of a particular brand. Thanks Aloisius

[landonshaw]

c.spots – you mentioned “There are also some nice anchor alarm apps, for only a few bucks.
I even have a free alarm app, so I can read or watch a movie while on watch. It chimes at my set time to remind me to look around (or wake me up!)”
That is an application on your iPad?

[landonshaw]

c.spots - have you used the Navionics ap? How does it compare to SEAiq? I currently am using the CM93 charts in the OpenCMP system

[c.spots]

Originally Posted by landonshaw

c.spots – you mentioned “There are also some nice anchor alarm apps, for only a few bucks.
I even have a free alarm app, so I can read or watch a movie while on watch. It chimes at my set time to remind me to look around (or wake me up!)”
That is an application on your iPad?

All for the Ipad. Boat Mon L is the anchor alarm I use. It allows me to tell it where the anchor is set, rather than where the boat is at the time. If you happen to have internet, it will download the chart to show where you are anchored - cute.
There is a small app for the Navionics app. It adds some nice nav functions.
Alarmed is the Ipad timer app I use, but there are others.
There is also an app called Azul, which allows you to watch movies in formats other than m4v. Makes it much simpler to load your movies. I have about two dozen movies loaded. Even with lots of navionics and CM93 charts, there is still lots of disk space available.
For reading books, I think the full size Ipad is too heavy, and bought a Kindle paperwhite. (Great!) For everything else, except being larger to carry, I prefer the larger size of the full size Ipad.
While you are at it, check out the Star Walk app.

[c.spots]

(c.spots - have you used the Navionics ap? How does it compare to SEAiq? I currently am using the CM93 charts in the OpenCMP system) If you use Open CPN, and have the CM93 charts, I think you would do well with Seaiq. There is a free version, but the full version is not expensive ($20?). The author is a cruiser, and is quite responsive to suggestions, (and added an anchor alarm). I haven't really used Seaiq much, so can't compare. I rely on my chartplotter at the helm, but use the Ipad navionics for planning. The small app ($5?) for it is great for time of arrival, speed, fuel consumption, course: either for your destination, or your next waypoint. The Navionics chart for my chartplotter was $325 for just New Zealand. For that money, I think I can get the whole world charts from Navionics for the Ipad. On a few occasions, I have found the Ipad Navionics charts to have more detail than the much more expensive chartplotter Navionics charts. When I get to Australia (I don't plan to stay there long), I may forgo buying the charts for my chartplotter, but I strongly believe that a chartplotter at the helm is a serious safety factor.

[Janet H]

I've had both and recently ditched ipad for a google nexus 10 tablet (32g). Clean, fast, cheaper, and no invasive isoftware. I can tether it to my phone for when a mobile connection is needed and it has nice wifi. You can preload maps and the native gps will be extremely useful even with out a a data connection.

The best part is that you can save about 300 bucks

[landonshaw]

c.spots - I have added a link to a case that attaches to the helm. Given the iPad is at the helm, using Navionics charts, would you then accept that it could take the place of your chartplotter? If not, why?

moxiware — Tank Case Bracket

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by landonshaw

c.spots - I have added a link to a case that attaches to the helm. Given the iPad is at the helm, using Navionics charts, would you then accept that it could take the place of your chartplotter? If not, why?

moxiware — Tank Case Bracket

The iPad chartplotter is a great backup, but does not replace your Helm Chartplotter.

Once iPads are direct sunlight viewable and display Radar then you can maybe say its up to par as a primary Chartplotter

[anjou]

Make sure its sterile and covers the whole of your eye

[landonshaw]

Cotemar "The iPad chartplotter is a great backup, but does not replace your Helm Chartplotter. "

So why not?

[landonshaw]

If you are meaning that the iPad does not control the helm, I would agree. I have an autopilot thaqt is not tied into the helm. But if you are saying that it will not replace a Chartplotter that is in the cockpit, I am confused.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by landonshaw

Cotemar "The iPad chartplotter is a great backup, but does not replace your Helm Chartplotter. "

So why not?

iPad is not direct sunlight viewable and can not display Radar

[landonshaw]

I do not have radar and have been sailing for years only with paper charts. So, along wiht the paper, I am very far ahead. I am in the Caribbean.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by landonshaw

I do not have radar and have been sailing for years only with paper charts. So, along with the paper, I am very far ahead. I am in the Caribbean.

Oh, OK then no radar. Then I guess your all set

Get the iPad app Garmin BlueChart Mobile, it has the nice explorer charts of the Caribbean

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=114005