With iPad 3G finally in hands, featured iNavX and the (beta) version AyeTides XL in testing, I'm going to give you my first impression, previously to perform an extended test at sea.
Regardless of the fact that the iPad can be used for many other things than shipping, I am now totally convinced of its utility on board, Here are the reasons.
Positive
- Built-in GPS effective even inside the boat, far superior to the iPhone 3GS, This was the point to check as a priority. Warning, Acceptance in a steel or aluminium boat should be checked.
- Very bright display, Smooth image and excellent resolution, well above the mid-prices chartplotters. The Navionics have a superb sight.
- Minimum footprint (ultra-thin) so easy to install and/or store. On the chart table, You will still need to provide a support, rotating as preference.
- Less fragile than a portable PC/Mac (No keyboard, no mouse, No trackpad, Robust glass slab) and certainly more resistant to seawater wet fingers.
- Ridiculous power consumption.
- Easy to board/disembark.
- Associated with iNavX, the iPad offers all the functions of a chartplotter : waypoints, routes, tracks, Instruments, File Transfers, and additional features : TCP/IP connection, Receiving GRIB weather files, Linking to the "Maps" app, link with AyeTides XL (Coming soon) for tidal forecasts.
In negative
- Non-waterproof device : I don't see how to use it outdoors without putting it in a waterproof case, and if it will then be as convenient to use and read. We should be able to test it.
- No connectivity planned to date for external instruments. However there is one WiFi solution detailed on this blog.
- The screen is no more or less readable in direct sunlight than any other device when the sun hits directly on the screen. I had the opportunity to use a Furuno 8″ Recent on barre station : Illegible with the sun perpendicular to the screen. Don't dream !
Essential accessories for the boat
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- A shock-absorbing case. Example below by HardCandy Cases. Excellent quality, This is the one I use.
- A 12V 2.1A cigarette lighter charger, like the Kensington model on the right. Warning, The cylinder of this model is quite short, It may not make contact with some female cigarette lighter connectors. The model Griffin PowerJolt is more cumbersome but longer.
- A waterproof case if you want to use it on deck, like that of Andres Industries.
And of course a support, preferably rotary, securely attaching the iPad to the chart table. It remains to be invented, or make it yourself, like this nice wooden stand from an American beta-tester.
To sum up
For my own opinion, this device is perfectly suited to electronic navigation on small boats : Integrated GPS, consumption, dimension, Highly functional software constantly improved, universal vector charting very cheap, the use of WiFi to receive GRIB weather files by mail with iNavX,
Warning : 3G model essential for built-in GPS and electronic compass. On the other hand the SIM card and the 3G+ network subscription are absolutely not useful for browsing. Finally, if you only load applications and charting, 16 GB model is more than enough.
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Related articles :
iPad : new support for iNavX ?
The question of choice
Bonjour,
Excellent remarks and descriptions from the blogger and speakers.
I am a novice sailor in Marseille, and I have a walkaround of 7,50 meters.
During my short outings in the surrounding area, my tests with Navionics are remarkable.
But as soon as there is a little mistral, The bridge, as well as the cockpit are soaked.
Do you have any solutions for waterproof pouches to put the charging socket?
And for screw-on supports (rather than suction cups that would come loose in the roll), and which can also allow the association of the said waterproof pouch.
Merci
Thank you very much for your appreciations. For iPad for outdoor use, as much as I am satisfied with an Aquapac pouch for my iPhone (Use sea kayaking at the water's edge), As much as I can hardly see that a waterproof rigid case like the one presented as an example. I don't think there's a watertight solution to power it continuously. Anyway, it doesn't seem useful to me. The iPad is not intended for 24-hour continuous operation, but rather from time to time for the point, Refresh the track, Landing, etc,.
As for the fixation, As mentioned in the article : it remains to be invented !
A good point for GPS, Too bad for the ENC … The American or other officials are still the best in my opinion (They are also the only ones "authorized" to replace paper) and even paid, they are often much cheaper than private mapping.
For my part, I 2 Questions :
1 – Le GPS : At sea far from GPRS covers, Does it work : in other words, is it a real GPS or do we need a USB antenna like GPU ?
2 – Official ENC cards : Will they be legible ?
Oui, Broadcom's A-GPS chipset is completely self-contained and works anywhere on the planet. Cellular connection only allows you to receive support (the "A" in A-GPS) which ensures a much faster acquisition of the position (TTFF). Without this connection, The acquisition of the constellation takes little more than two minutes to obtain a position.
About charts, only Navionics vector charts are available from the x-traverse website, not the S-57 ENCs used with MacENC for example. These cards are present on half of the plotter readers sold in the world.
Ps: Consumption certainly ridiculous (I think the charger is 10W), but above all very good battery life…
My wifi iPad holds more than 10 hours of surfing on wifi !
Do you have any idea of the autonomy of 3G GPS activated with inavx or navionics in operation ?
Oui. In continuous use, without WiFi, GPS enabled and iNavX launched : 9 hours to get down to 4% battery charging. Charging time at 100 % = 3 hours steps.
Hello Francis,
I've just come back from a morning of sea fishing, during which I was able to test the iPad on the boat .
I confirm that the GPS reception is immediate and excellent .
I bought a marine protective cover from Trendy Digital, She's okay, nothing more .
I recognize that using the iPad is really interesting on a boat : Large screen, very readable, very smooth and easy to move around .
I noticed that the calculation of the recorded trace, is done by "sudden" on iNavX, While it is perfectly fluid on the Navionics application .
Still on InavX, The menu on the black banner at the bottom of the screen is not super visible outdoors, and I'm probably wrong but I couldn't find a "man overboard" button.
There you go, To sum up, I think the iPad is perfectly suited for use on a boat . I hope that one day there will be a more fishing-oriented navigation application …
I'm available if anyone has any questions …
Sincerely,
JB
Thank you for this feedback. Fully transmitted to the developer, Always ready to explore possible improvements.