The Marine iPad . . .

[Christian Van H]

Hey all! I thought I would start a thread on using the iPad onboard. Although I am currently not cruising, I have experimented with my iPad for a month now, and I will post the Apps and uses I have found interesting for marine use. Please share your experiences and recommendations, as the world of apps get bigger every day, and I believe the iPad to be of great use aboard. First, my current apps:

iNavX - One heck of a good chart plotter navigation program, it comes standard with all the USA NOAA vector charts for free. I have added Navionics Gold charts covering the whole U.S. plus all of the Caribbean and South America so far. This program also does current and tides, AIS (with additional wireless receiver), and interfaces with NMEA feeds.

ShipFinderHD - Displays world-wide ship traffic via land based AIS recievers, displayed real time with info about vessels, MMSI, etc. Must use WiFi or 3G connection to operate...

HF Fax - Receives weather fax by tuning your SSB to correct freq and placing iPad in front of speaker. NAVTEX program available from same programmer.

Charts & Tides - Another chart plotter program, using free NOAA charts. Super cool feature here is an ACTIVE CAPTAIN POI database, allowing access to tens of thousands of comments, reviews, and descriptions of cruising points of interests. Worth the money alone.

Google Earth App - Fantastic sat photos and maps, and the price is right.

RadarScope - One of a ton of Apps that display NOAA weather RADAR moving maps using 3G or WiFi. There are TONS of great weather apps for iPad, and several specifically targeted at marine weather.

Since we are preparing for our upcoming cruise, we are going nearly paperless. All my sailing Mags are now delivered wirelessly via Zinio, an App that lets you subscribe to most any magazine, and receive them anytime you have 3G or wireless service.The Kindle for iPad App lets you buy and read Kindle books wirelessly, such as Fatty Goodlanders books (only available on Kindle). Most large newspapers are also available. Online banking apps are popping up from several of the larger banks.

Email, websurfing, video streaming and music are all built in, and work on 3G and WiFi. Stock trading and investing are easy, with several brokers already offering Apps to make trading and research easier.

Remember, ONLY THE 3G VERSION of the iPad offers the GPS chip! This version offers WiFi, GPS 3G, a built-in electronic compass chip and a ton more. Waterproof cases, tough cases and 12 volt chargers are now for sale. PDF reader Apps allow boat owners to store all their manuals and instruction in the tiny iPad package, which I find really convenient. I would love to hear what uses you have found for this new toy...

[RunningFish]

Christian,

Thanks for posting this information. Do you know of any hard-sided waterproof cases for the iPad that would work with RAM mounts or similar, to create a neat solution for use under the dodger?

[AtomicPhil]

any apps that works while cruising out in the blue waters? no wifi there thats why i ask..

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by RunningFish

Christian,

Thanks for posting this information.

Ditto! Being Apple based I will monitor this thread with interest!

[RunningFish]

Originally Posted by AtomicPhil

any apps that works while cruising out in the blue waters? no wifi there thats why i ask..

iNavX should be fine without internet connectivity...

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by Christian Van H

Waterproof cases, tough cases and 12 volt chargers are now for sale.

You have a link?

[Christian Van H]

All the charting apps work without wireless / 3G service. Even Active Captain overlay is stored for when away from civilization. HF Fax is meant for use away from anything. Here's a few more...

Skype - allows calls to landlines and cellphones in some countries for pennies over WiFi and 3G

SailTimer - calculates tacking distances and times to allow for the shortest overall trip based on wind direction and rumbline...

There are RAM mounts, waterproof cases, and hard shell cases... But I haven't seen anything that combines all three yet. won't be long though...

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by capngeo

You have a link?

EBay...

[AtomicPhil]

Originally Posted by RunningFish

Christian,

Thanks for posting this information. Do you know of any hard-sided waterproof cases for the iPad that would work with RAM mounts or similar, to create a neat solution for use under the dodger?

If you go to the SailTimer web site there have a case called the Dry Pack which also allows you to touch the screen without opening the case..

[IdoraKeeper]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Ditto! Being Apple based I will monitor this thread with interest!

This sounds almost too good to be true, all this and water proof case and I might even try it too.
By the way it was so nice out this week I thought I might see an Irwin Ketch out plying the water ways..moving in laid back manner.. grooving to Barry White... lookin for a quiet anchorage... you know....All work and no play?

Todd

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

...grooving to Barry White... lookin for a quiet anchorage... you know....All work and no play?

Ahhhhhhh yeah Baby!

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by AtomicPhil

If you go to the SailTimer web site there have a case called the Dry Pack which also allows you to touch the screen without opening the case..

See here: SailTimer from Indepth Navigation

See here for RAM mount: http://www.ram-mount.com/NewProducts...4/Default.aspx

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Christian Van H

Although I am currently not cruising, I have experimented with my iPad for a month now,

How about sending me yours and I'll do this Atlanitc bit and if its not dead, rusted or tossed ob, I'll send it back to you with photos I've taken with it?





Mark

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

How about sending me yours and I'll do this Atlanitc bit and if its not dead, rusted or tossed ob, I'll send it back to you with photos I've taken with it?

Now there's an offer I can't refuse!

[nautical62]

Excellent information. I look forward to using my Ipad for many things while cruising this winter.

I hope it holds up to salt air better than many (myself included) have experienced with Iphones.