Just bought a 1990 2651 and just getting into boating. I have been going through the forums here looking for info on Nav aids and I see alot talking about using an Ipad. My only question is what are the minimum specs for an Ipad to work as a chart plotter up here in Ontario Canada. Would hate to buy one that will not take care of business. Any info would be appreciated.
-
-
The only requirement is that you get an iPad 3G, NOT the wifi only model. The 3G models have a true GPS chip, while the wifi only models require a signal to use the A-GPS feature.
We use a 16GB iPad 1, and it's more than adequate for charting.
-
Do you have to have it activated with a cellular provider or can it be used like a laptop?
Comment
-
To be clear:
To use true "built in" GPS, you need the 3G iPad, not the wi-fi iPad. The wi-fi model uses cell tower triangulation to determine position. Great if you're in the city, not great if you're offshore, outside of a cell tower triangle.
You do NOT need to have cellular service activated on the iPad to use GPS. It is totally independent.
If you already have a wi-fi iPad, you can buy an external GPS that simply plugs into the dock connector on the iPad. Not as slick, but it works.
Mike P
The Bahamas
Formerly Vancouver BC, Bermuda and The Grenadine Islands.
Click here to hear my original music, FREE to download to your computer or iPod.Comment
-
^^^^^Mike speaks truth
Comment
-
Well... like a laptop, except it feels better, looks better, has longer battery life, runs really inexpensive plotter apps like Navionics and isn't subject to viruses. Other than that, just like a laptop.green650 wrote:
or can it be used like a laptop?
Comment
-
Thats why Im thinking about getting one. Much "cleaner" looking than a laptop sitting on the dash of my boat.whiskywizard wrote:
Well... like a laptop, except it feels better, looks better, has longer battery life, runs really inexpensive plotter apps like Navionics and isn't subject to viruses. Other than that, just like a laptop.
I bought an Iphone a few months ago, and Im really impressed with how easy and intuitive it is to use.
Now my Hummingbird 788 fishfinder/gps, that has a 1" thinck owners manual that I dont feel like reading, way to complex. And it only has a 5" diagonal screen. And I'll have to spend another $150 or so on it if I want to get charts other than the outlines that it came with.
Comment
-
A big drawback of the iPad is that it's rather limited in its ability to interface with a depth transducer to give you any decent sounder/fishfinder capability. The Humminbird will be a great fishfinder and sounder, and if you're not asking it to be a plotter, no extra chart costs.green650 wrote:
Thats why Im thinking about getting one. Much "cleaner" looking than a laptop sitting on the dash of my boat.
I bought an Iphone a few months ago, and Im really impressed with how easy and intuitive it is to use.
Now my Hummingbird 788 fishfinder/gps, that has a 1" thinck owners manual that I dont feel like reading, way to complex. And it only has a 5" diagonal screen. And I'll have to spend another $150 or so on it if I want to get charts other than the outlines that it came with.
You might want to look at iPad mounts. They're not too expensive but will boost your total costs. Several owners here have mentioned some that work well; a search will turn them up.
Comment
-
The geology in Ontario is similar to Northern Minnesota, so I suspect depths and hazards are the prime concern. Big lower unit killing rocks are common. I've been using Fly-To-Map, it's so-so. It constantly has to download maps, which might be a problem when I'm out of cell range, which I've luckily avoided so far. Any one have any other recommendations? Maybe something where I can download all the maps before heading out?
Comment
-
The wi-fi model has no capability of cell tower triangulation, as it has no cellular chip. It simply knows your approximate location if it has one or more wifi networks with known positions to work from.Stratocaster wrote:
To use true "built in" GPS, you need the 3G iPad, not the wi-fi iPad. The wi-fi model uses cell tower triangulation to determine position.
Definitely need the 3G model's GPS receiver, or an external bluetooth GPS, for boating. With Verizon's new "share plan", it is also very inexpensive ($10/month) to provide it with data service.
I'd still go with a dedicated MFD... the HDS-5 is the same price as a 3G iPad, is waterproof and more robust than an iPad, has a decent GPS+WAAS receiver, and supports a ton of upgrades in the future, from the included depth transducer/fish finder to structurescan, multiple radars, playing music via SonicHub and soon hopefully the Fusion 700-series, weather, NMEA2000 networking... and as the king would say etc., etc., etc.
Comment
-
True statement- unless you get the Raymarine E7D, that allows you to have total control from the iPadwhiskywizard wrote:
A big drawback of the iPad is that it's rather limited in its ability to interface with a depth transducer to give you any decent sounder/fishfinder capability. The Humminbird will be a great fishfinder and sounder, and if you're not asking it to be a plotter, no extra chart costs.
You might want to look at iPad mounts. They're not too expensive but will boost your total costs. Several owners here have mentioned some that work well; a search will turn them up.
Trust me- it works extremely well
Comment
-
True. For about $2500, he can add a Raymarine sounder module, transducer, and multi-display, to tie in his $600 iPad.Pau Hana wrote:
True statement- unless you get the Raymarine E7D, that allows you to have total control from the iPad
Trust me- it works extremely well
Comment
-
In my case, I was in the upgrade mode, as my electronics were of stone age vintage...I wanted to install only 1 MFD at the lower station, and use the iPad as a repeater. Total cost about $1600 (unit, shoot thru tranducer and install).
Comment
-
The iPad is a great choice as it generally does more of what most boaters need than a dedicated plotter. When I bought my 3055 I shopped a bit for a good plotter then decided on just getting a mount for the iPad instead. Much happier with that than I've been with any plotter. The depth is still on a dedicated unit and I have NMEA 2000 data on a basic display. Navigation all happens on the iPad.
RAM makes a nice marine mount for the iPad that is SOLID. Do not get one of the cheap mounts, they bounce around.
Comment
-
The wifi only version will work as well for getting a gps fix however needs a gps adapter like this which makes it pretty much the same as the 3g model in terms of navigation. http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Electroni.../dp/B004M3BICU
Comment
Comment