Quick review Cheapest and best GPS alternative

HallOfDreams

Member
Sep 11, 2019
88
Boat Info
2003 (2004 face lift) Searay 340 8.1L Mag. Outdrive.
Engines
Mercruiser 8.1L 496 mag
i Was looking for a new chart plotter for my boat and was amazed at the insane price for a 7” screen. So I decided to research tablets with the Navionics up.

I got an 8” screen Android for $199(Canadian) downloaded the App, paid my $29.99 for the map download and I now have a bigger screen and regularly updated Navionics. It works as well as if not better than a proprietary Chartplotter.

Not bad for under $230!!
 
Good on you. I'm all for finding the best deals to make your vessel as good as it can be. I just installed a Garmin 18 xhd radar that was a display model. The whole set up, pedistal and display was less than $1350. Not bad for a brand new system with full Garmin warranty.
 
i Was looking for a new chart plotter for my boat and was amazed at the insane price for a 7” screen. So I decided to research tablets with the Navionics up.

I got an 8” screen Android for $199(Canadian) downloaded the App, paid my $29.99 for the map download and I now have a bigger screen and regularly updated Navionics. It works as well as if not better than a proprietary Chartplotter.

Not bad for under $230!!

It works very well, but cannot be depended on when all hell breaks loose.

It will go down when it overheats.

It is not waterproof.

I love using my iPad, but it is not a replacement for a real marine grade plotter by any means.

MM
 
i Was looking for a new chart plotter for my boat and was amazed at the insane price for a 7” screen. So I decided to research tablets with the Navionics up.

I got an 8” screen Android for $199(Canadian) downloaded the App, paid my $29.99 for the map download and I now have a bigger screen and regularly updated Navionics. It works as well as if not better than a proprietary Chartplotter.

Not bad for under $230!!
Good deal for inland and immediate costal cruising 10-12 miles offshore cell service drops out making this a paperweight
 
Good deal for inland and immediate costal cruising 10-12 miles offshore cell service drops out making this a paperweight
App like Navionics, iNavx, Aqua Map, Embark ecc... can store the charts in device memory and run in the middle of Pacific Ocean without cell service. However I agree with MonacoMike about waterproof (there're specific cases for solve the problem) and poor brightness in direct sunlight. These app can't replace a dedicated Chartplotters but for 1/10 of the cost offer a valid backup solution.
 
App like Navionics, iNavx, Aqua Map, Embark ecc... can store the charts in device memory and run in the middle of Pacific Ocean without cell service. However I agree with MonacoMike about waterproof (there're specific cases for solve the problem) and poor brightness in direct sunlight. These app can't replace a dedicated Chartplotters but for 1/10 of the cost offer a valid backup solution.
I have used my iPad as primary chart plotter for 5 years now. I boat year round in coastal SC, GA, and FL. Both ICW and offshore. Never once had brightness, heat or boat position failure. I have no plans to go back to a pricey mfd.
 
I have used my iPad as primary chart plotter for 5 years now. I boat year round in coastal SC, GA, and FL. Both ICW and offshore. Never once had brightness, heat or boat position failure. I have no plans to go back to a pricey mfd.

Which software do you run?
 
It works very well, but cannot be depended on when all hell breaks loose.

It will go down when it overheats.

It is not waterproof.



I love using my iPad, but it is not a replacement for a real marine grade plotter by any means.

MM

Why would it overheat? It’s in shade and how is it going to get wet? My current GPS never has.
 
Good deal for inland and immediate costal cruising 10-12 miles offshore cell service drops out making this a paperweight

You don’t need a call service all devices have built in GPS. I don’t have a call service on my device.
 
App like Navionics, iNavx, Aqua Map, Embark ecc... can store the charts in device memory and run in the middle of Pacific Ocean without cell service. However I agree with MonacoMike about waterproof (there're specific cases for solve the problem) and poor brightness in direct sunlight. These app can't replace a dedicated Chartplotters but for 1/10 of the cost offer a valid backup solution.

I am not understanding the getting wet my dash has never got wet. You can also buy waterproof cases. As for screen and sun, my previous chart plotters were hard to read in sun but never been an issue and I have this mounted where it rarely sun gets to.
 
Which software do you run?
Navionics.

Aqua Map is all the rage now. But I don't plan to take the time to learn it since Navionics does what I want. Easy route planning, elapsed time/distance and estimated time of arrival and remaining distance. That's about all I need. Wouldn't mind if it had an anchoring drag alarm, though.
 
Navionics.

Aqua Map is all the rage now. But I don't plan to take the time to learn it since Navionics does what I want. Easy route planning, elapsed time/distance and estimated time of arrival and remaining distance. That's about all I need. Wouldn't mind if it had an anchoring drag alarm, though.

You can get really good Anchor alarm apps. Remote monitor features works of on cellular range but actual alarm works off GPS on your device.
 

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Using tablets for navigation has become nearly as contentious as running generators on swim platforms these days :):)

I ran an iPad in a waterproof case ram-mounted to the helm for a couple years. I had it paired to a Garmin GLONASS receiver since I did not have an iPad with internal GPS. Worked like a charm.

Of course purpose-built marine gear is preferred. And we should all have, and know how to use, paper charts. But I suspect we can all agree using tablets is better than nothing? Well....no...we probably can't even agree on that :)
 
Using tablets for navigation has become nearly as contentious as running generators on swim platforms these days :):)

I ran an iPad in a waterproof case ram-mounted to the helm for a couple years. I had it paired to a Garmin GLONASS receiver since I did not have an iPad with internal GPS. Worked like a charm.

Of course purpose-built marine gear is preferred. And we should all have, and know how to use, paper charts. But I suspect we can all agree using tablets is better than nothing? Well....no...we probably can't even agree on that :)

My view is if you are not if you are not coastal and only navigating on lake and River you can get equal navigation via a Tablet and a bigger screen.
 
I also have been using the iPad for about 5 years and never had an overheat problem or a display issue and after this past summer the temps were exceptionally hot here. Thats not to say it won't happen but i also run a Furuno 721 C GPS in case
 
Why would it overheat? It’s in shade and how is it going to get wet? My current GPS never has.

Mine is at the helm just inches away from my Garmin chart plotter. Under the windshield is quite warm and both my iPad and iPhone will overheat if the sun is in the right direction.

MM
 
Navionics.

Aqua Map is all the rage now. But I don't plan to take the time to learn it since Navionics does what I want. Easy route planning, elapsed time/distance and estimated time of arrival and remaining distance. That's about all I need. Wouldn't mind if it had an anchoring drag alarm, though.

Bill,

Given your cruising area might be worth a quick look at AquaMap. Navionics has the crowd sourced depth information, but AM has the USCOE ICW survey data.

I don't use AM as a primary, but I have it with the survey data that is for reference. Not suggesting to change, just might be a supplemental.

Just a thought
 
Using tablets for navigation has become nearly as contentious as running generators on swim platforms these days :):)

I ran an iPad in a waterproof case ram-mounted to the helm for a couple years. I had it paired to a Garmin GLONASS receiver since I did not have an iPad with internal GPS. Worked like a charm.

Of course purpose-built marine gear is preferred. And we should all have, and know how to use, paper charts. But I suspect we can all agree using tablets is better than nothing? Well....no...we probably can't even agree on that :)

It shouldn’t be controversial at all, it is simple fact, that even iPads, are not built to outdoor marine grade standards. They do overheat, and they do not make a case for a tablet that meets the marine standards for waterproof when life is on the line I am aware of.

My point of my original post was to make clear in the thread that is not the same thing for people who come and read this information.

You all are welcome to do what you choose. I will use mine as back up.

MM
 
It shouldn’t be controversial at all, it is simple fact, that even iPads, are not built to outdoor marine grade standards. They do overheat, and they do not make a case for a tablet that meets the marine standards for waterproof when life is on the line I am aware of.

My point of my original post was to make clear in the thread that is not the same thing for people who come and read this information.

You all are welcome to do what you choose. I will use mine as back up.

MM

"WATERPROOF: Over 3 feet of IPX8 certified marine grade waterproof protection. The sport waterproof case is protected against full water submersion, suitable for travel to the beach, pool, hiking and other outdoor adventures"
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Waterproof-Resistant-Shockproof-Protective/dp/B009SJNR3G
 
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