I’m thinking of replacing my plotter w/ an 12.9“ IPad

F

Ferg

New member
I like a bunch of apps that are available, and I think that I can get most of the things that my plotter gives me...like Navionics and NOAA’s radar, and view them simultaneously on a big split screen. At $1200 it costs less, with more functionality (on land and sea)

The only thing I think I need is a depth sounder. Does anyone know if there are Bluetooth sounders?

Any thoughts on what I’m forgetting?

Thanks
 
An issue with the iPad is whether it is sunlight readable or not. With a C-dory this is not as much of an issue as some boats, but might be worth checking. Some functions on apps on the iPad may only work if you have a network connection. You need a cellular equipped iPad to have GPS.

You can get a standalone depth finder for US$100-120 such as these. They don't do bluetooth but they do work fine.

https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com/ ... lsrc=aw.ds

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/norcross ... swod0iYOTQ
 
We did the entire Great Loop (5,428 miles) in 2017 using an iPad on a RAM mount on the underside of the electronics shelf. We used the Garmin Blue Chart mobile app (no longer available), and now the best navigation app by a LONG way is Aqua Map. We concluded at the end of our Loop that all a boater actually needs to is an iPad with Aqua Map, a depth sounder and a VHF radio. You do need a cellular capable iPad to use the GPS function but you don't need a data plan. We used our iPhones as hot spots for the iPad when we needed internet connectivity. You should also have weather apps and a wind / wave height app like SailFlow which do require an internet connection. AIS is nice too, depending on where you cruise. To me, the dedicated chartplotter is a dinosaur, bound for extinction. But then there are those who insist on using paper charts, so people give up what they know and grew up using very hard!
 
Si if you need a phone connection to use the GPS in an I-Pad, what happens when you go where there is no phone service?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

January_2010_342.highlight.jpg
 
Thanks for your thoughts!

i was stuck on the idea of bluetoothing the sounder, but ssobol had a great solution with the stand-alone sounder.

The only other thing that I would miss is the fuel consumption meter, but I can live without that.

If the entire great loop was happily completed in this fashion, that’s all I need to know.

But I’m looking forward to when someone makes his/her fortune by wirelessly connecting accessories.

I’m aware that I’d need a cellular iPad

Thanks again
 
hardee":7k9v28gn said:
Si if you need a phone connection to use the GPS in an I-Pad, what happens when you go where there is no phone service?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

January_2010_342.highlight.jpg
Click to expand...

Nope, nope, nope! You do NOT need a phone connection to use the GPS in an iPad. Absolutely. Not just guessing at this. Really. What you need is an iPad that is "cellular capable" but you do not have to sign up for cell service. The GPS chip is in the cellular stuff inside the iPad.

We have owned 6 iPads since they first came out. Used them on boats. In case I didn't mention it: you do NOT need to be connected to cell service to use the GPS function in the iPad. Really. Don't listen to the "genius" in the Apple Store, because they have never run a boat. You need "cellular capable," but you don't need to be connected to a cell tower or pay for a cellular connection.

Yes, there are some apps that require a data connection, and that is what Pat is talking about when "using his iPhone as a hot spot." NONE of the marine nav apps require a cellular connection, other than when loading the area maps (so you do that way before you get on the boat).

People have questioned me on this since I bought that first iPad when Apple released the "cellular and wifi" model (shortly after releasing the initial "wifi only" model. It works. No cellular connection necessary to have the marine nav app fully functional. Honest.

This does NOT work with a "wifi only" iPad. No GPS chip in it. Yes, you can add an external GPS (like the Bad Elf)... but the difference in cost between the "wifi only" iPad and the "wifi and cellular" is about the same as the cost of the external GPS... so why not just get it already built in??

Oh, and it works. Without being around cellular service. Really. Just be sure to buy the "wifi and cellular" model. Our iPads have NEVER been connected to any cell carrier, other than when using my phone as a hot spot. I wouldn't steer you wrong on this. Really.

:wink:
 
I can say that we too have had great success using an ipad without having phone service. We purchased an older ipad for a couple hundred dollars from ebay. it is cellular capable with GPS and has wi-fi. I purchased the Navionics ap a couple years ago and downloaded all the maps I would need over Wi-Fi connection. We use it as a redundant chart plotter to our Raymarine C-80. As far as a chart plotter it works just as well as the C-80. We can't get radar or depth on it, but works great as chart plotter. We have to keep it pluged in to a power source when using it because the ipad battery will drain fairly quick and since it is an older navionics ap I can not update the maps because if I do I will loose them all from what I understand. We also use a stand alone depth/fish finder because it gives us a seperate screen for better viewing. I like to have both the c-80 and the ipad on when navigating unfamiliar waters. I keep one zoomed in close and the other further out for better viewing of the maps.
 
We purchased IPAD Pro 12.9. three years a go. It is a great addition that is mounted on the Admirals side with a Ram X mount. It does not require cell service to function as a plotter. And it is far superior to my Garmin 3210. If I didn't need the other features, Radar, Autopilot and Sounder, I would get a second iPad for the helm. If you don't have radar, a stand alone sounder would be great and a lot less expensive than a new network machine.

Gene
 
hardee":3ccz1nv1 said:
Si if you need a phone connection to use the GPS in an I-Pad, what happens when you go where there is no phone service?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

January_2010_342.highlight.jpg
Click to expand...

Read it again, Harvey. You do NOT need cell service or an internet connection - you only need a cellular "capable" iPad. The reason is that only cellular "capable" iPads have an internal GPS, the WiFi only iPads do not have a GPS.

Like Bathurst says, the cellular capable iPad works great with nav apps without cell service!
 
Another vote for the iPad with Navionics.
I have a HDS 9” as back up and for radar.
(I didn’t want to use Bluetooth radar to iPad- Furuno first watch- though I considered it. I wanted radar to be hardwired-just in case)

I have a newer cheaper small lowrance 5 for stand alone depth sounder
As far as chart plotter is concerned, the iPad is bigger and the image is more clear. iPad has 2x the pixel count.

The sun on iPad could be an issue if I was outside but for me it never has bothered me.

We also have Navionics on phones just in case

David and Val
 
You need a cellular equipped iPad to have GPS.
Click to expand...

Not true. We have a non-cellular I-pad and use a Bad Elf gps unit, mentioned above by Jim. It plugs into the charging port on the iPad. Works great. About $100. It has a mini USB so you can charge while running.
https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Elf-GPS-...words=Bad+Elf&qid=1559931251&s=gateway&sr=8-2

We use the Aqua Map app. Works great. Here is an article with lots of info on apps that are available, cost etc.

https://www.waterwayguide.com/lates...utm_campaign=News&utm_content=News+03-14-2018

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php
 
The iPad actually saved our Gulf Islands trip last year. An oversight by someone (me) left our Garmin unit useless. See, someone (me) pulled the card out for an update and then didn't re-install it prior to our trip. We got up into the islands and the Garmin lost the charts...while entering Wallace Island. Thankfully, we had the iPad, so crisis averted. :roll:
 
OK then, Thanks to Jim, Pat and the rest. Thank you for clearing that up and making it easy. I-Pads always confuse me.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Okay! I’m beyond convinced....now I need to wait for my current iPad to die....does anybody have a hammer I can borrow
 
Pat Anderson":escv1usi said:
To me, the dedicated chartplotter is a dinosaur, bound for extinction. But then there are those who insist on using paper charts, so people give up what they know and grew up using very hard!
Click to expand...

Well...that's a bit of a stretch.

I'm all for tablet navigation and trip planning. Fantastic stuff is available now, and especially when considering price/redundancy - it makes a lot of sense whether one has a dedicated chartplotter/MFD or not. I've played with a few, but prefer Navionics as it syncs pretty seamlessly with my Simrad NSS and uses the same charts.

However, as a complete replacement for a dedicated MFD - no way. For me, anyway. One word: Integration.

I can do none of the following natively on a tablet:

- Tap two points, autoroute, tap the new route and tell an autopilot to follow it.

- View AIS data. Yes, I'm aware you can jump through hoops to get AIS displayed on a tablet, but that involves buying additional expensive equipment. Even then - you can't tap an AIS target on your tablet charts and hail it on your VHF. From what I've seen, most tablet software that supports external AIS has limited, if any collision avoidance built in - one of the nicest parts about having AIS on modern MFD's.

- Depth. Again, as Dr. Bob already alluded to - you can buy additional components for wireless depth sounders. Yet more configuration, multiple vendors and expense, no standard integration as is provided by N2K. And, for me - I'll not trust anything wireless in my primary navigation components. Hard-wired network/signal cables are far more simple and reliable.

- RADAR. I'll not do any extended cruises without it. And, even if you decide to buy a standalone RADAR unit to compliment your tablet - you can't overlay the RADAR scan on your tablet charts.

The functionality provided by dedicated/integrated systems greatly exceeds that of tablets. These functions may or may not be important to you, and for many the features provided by tablet navigation may be adequate - but I don't see the gap narrowing any time soon.

Lastly - tablets are not waterproof. While inside the cab of a C-Dory, perhaps that's not a great concern. At the helm of an open cabin C-Dory like a 16/19 - a bit more risk. Regardless, given how portable they are - most folks tend to use them away from the helm, and exposure to the elements or an "oops" into the drink is possible. They're also a much easier target for theft than a permanently installed MFD - grab and run.

For me - the tablets serve as excellent trip planning tools, a second/alternative view of where I'm going, or in the case if a failure on my dedicated navigation instruments - redundant primary navigation.
 
I agree with Da Nag ref the multi function display( MFD) continuing as the primary navigation tool. There are some which do allow virtually all of the functions via a smart tablet. The RayMarine I have currently allows multiple functions which are available on the MFD. But you need the RayMarine MFD at a certain level--and the cheap ones do not allow all of these functions. I haven't had time to play enough to see if the I pad will allow AIS/VHF interface to work--but I suspect it will. One of my RayMarine is touch only, the other is hybrid--both touch, and wheels, joy stick and buttons. I prefer the latter in rough weather. The same would hold true for use of a tablet which is touch only....

Same for the auto pilot--I have not tried routing and asking the pilot to follow, but I believe that is also available....

Furuno has a wireless radar which goes directly to the chart plotter.

Not only are tablets not water proof (but can be put in waterproof cases), but the screens are not as bright as some MFD displays.

For our use, we find both MFD and tablets are used. Especially in low visibility and night. I can drive and be eyes on the water, while Marie can run the MFD remotely from the I pad--and watch the radar, depth and chart plotter.

I suppose the tablet vs MFD can be like the twins vs singles, Delta anchor vs Fortress anchor etc...Some may prefer one over the other, and be passionate about their use.
 
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