Tablets offer really good charts and apps for cruising. There are some disadvantages that I have faced:
1. The
battery is limited to less than 6 hours particularly if you have maximum brightness on the
screen. So if I know where I am and can see where I want to be I turn it off until I need it. I also keep it plugged into the
power socket. It won't quite balance the outgoing
power but will certainly extend the time before it goes flat.
2. Having one electronic device is not enough.
Computers have a mind of their own and can shut down and sulk and there is little that you can do. You need 2 devices at least.
3. Make sure that the devices have
GPS connectivity. They do not all have this!
4. I have one with a Raster chart and one with a Vector chart. Raster charts are copies of actual charts which have been used for years and therefore checked out many times. Vector charts are electronic compilations which are likely to have errors and in addition, if you scale out you can lose some important detail that you may not notice is not there. Many collisions occur because of this.
5. The screens are very difficult to see in sunlight. If you are in a wheelhouse then you can easily shade them, but on the flybridge, it is much more difficult to do.
I really like mine but always have paper charts anyway. Ever tried to put a running fix on a
screen the size of a postcard?