I-Pad as additional navigational aid...

[The Bill Collector]

Does anyone use an I-Pad as a secondary display ? Which model ? Wi-Fi & cellular ? I would like to add another screen. How well does the GPS work is huge to me ? I appreciate any input on this... Thank you !

 

[Jaybeaux]

I use an iPad running Garmin's Blue Chart Mobile. I have an external Bad Elf GPS that plugs in to the power input. It does not have a cellular plan, and I am not running WiFi hotspot or anything to it. I use it as my chartplotter, and then run my radar on the original C80 (?) display. I have the iPad attached to a GoPro ram mount on the dash just to the left of my Port Tachometer.

Jaybeaux

 

[Larry Sturm]

I also use my iPad as a backup display along with Garmin Blue Chart and a cellular plan. Works great!

 

[The Bill Collector]

I also use my iPad as a backup display along with Garmin Blue Chart and a cellular plan. Works great!

What model I-Pad ?

 

[RollerCoastr]

The accuracy of the integrated GPS is admirable, particularly without obstructions like a hardtop.

I've used my phone as navigation for the bowrider. Garmin describes apps like BCM and AC as planning tools, not navigations tools and that becomes apparent sometimes when you least want it to.

Tonight I'm going to install a 3rd MFD in my dash. If I had the room for a fourth MFD, I'd get one.

 

[Blueone]

I used Navionics with an older ipad, I can also slave to my Raymarine via bluetooth. I didn't really care for the ipad. You really need a mount of some kind and it didnt deal with glare very well.. for me anyway. If i needed a backup for some reason I would use my phone or more than likely use paper charts.

 

[scooper321]

I use an iPad running the Navionics Bluewater app.The iPad is a cellular iPad, however I do not have cellular service enabled. You need a cellular capable iPad in order to get internal GPS capability. Otherwise, you have to do like the post above and get an external GPS to plug-in. And that’s just something extra to lose or break.

I like it having it as my back up plotter. But it has the annoying habit of turning off when I use it in direct sunlight. Thermal shut down. That is the number one reason why you shouldn’t rely on it as your main navigational aid.

 

[The Bill Collector]

I just bought a refurb'd I-Pad 4th Wi-Fi only and it sucks. My phone is a great backup but I wanted a bigger screen than my phone. I run Navionics on everything but the I-Pad is putting me on land not water...

 

[RollerCoastr]

You need a cellular capable iPad in order to get internal GPS capability.

Yep. You wanted one that's cell-capable, even if you never activate it.

Again, I prefer an actual GPS as a back-up. My 7" MFD's are a close-out and a factory demo. I paid much less than retail. Basically the same price as an iPad.

 

[superwa]

I use an iPad as my primary with Navionics and my old plotter as a back up. You need the cellular model for internal gps. You don’t need to activate the service, just need to be that kind so the gps works.

 

[Larry Sturm]

The accuracy of the integrated GPS is admirable, particularly without obstructions like a hardtop.

I've used my phone as navigation for the bowrider. Garmin describes apps like BCM and AC as planning tools, not navigations tools and that becomes apparent sometimes when you least want it to.

Tonight I'm going to install a 3rd MFD in my dash. If I had the room for a fourth MFD, I'd get one.[/QUOTE

What model I-Pad ?

What model I-Pad ?

10’’ iPad Pro

 

[The Bill Collector]

Thank you everybody !! I need a cellular-equipped unit to make it work properly...

 

[Creekwood]

I have used Navionics on WIFI/Cellular first generation, on a 4th generation, and I am now running it on an iPAD Air 2. All have worked fine for me. All have been WIFI/Cellular versions. GPS accuracy has been good for all and the screen tracking better than my raymarine c80. The newer iPAD is a lot faster scrolling and zooming than all prior versions but the older ones were OK.

 

[Moondoggie]

I just bought a refurb'd I-Pad 4th Wi-Fi only and it sucks. My phone is a great backup but I wanted a bigger screen than my phone. I run Navionics on everything but the I-Pad is putting me on land not water...

You need the WiFi/cellular to work, it has the built in GPS. The WiFi only does not have the built in GPS. I have my old IPad and had the cellular turned off and using it for Navionics only.

 

[KevinC]

I run two Raymarine Axioms - 1 loaded with Navionics and the 1 with Raymarine stock charts. I can run either chart on with device and each device can operate as a chart plotter with out the other giving me backup.

These Axioms are basically marinized tablets running a hardened Android Operation System. They are designed for the environment and handle the sun/glare and heat well.

-Kevin

 

[dtfeld]

I was running an iPad with a Garmin GLO GPS and Navionics. It works great until...the iPad get to hot out in the sun and craps out. Its always at the wrong time, wrong place, and very often.

I finally bit the bullet and installed a refurbished 12" a Series MFD for $999. A 9" refurbished c series is $799 or a 7" eS series is $599 on Raymarine's website, and less than an ipad + gps. Look around and you can get a great deal on and MFD.

MFD's don't overheat.

With that said, I keep my ipad and GPS on board as backup and use the iPad for Spotify/streaming.

 

[JVM225]

I’m an avid iPad user. On it right now with the unlimited cellular plan.
I use it for just about everything. Email, streaming TV with AV to TV’s at times. streaming satellite radio to stereo with Bluetooth, etc..
I love the thing, but wouldn’t want to count on it for navigation. Even as a backup. Too much glare on the screen when anywhere near sunlight.
If you could find a screen protector to address that issue, then possibly consider using it for navigation, but without that, don’t count on it.
The iPads don’t much like water either so you’re going to have to make sure it isn’t anywhere that it might get splashed.
I’ve got 2 12” MFD’s.
If you have the room you might be better off just getting a second MFD.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Okay I think I'm covered now... I have a new RM a127 12" MFD, and I just bought
APPLE IPAD PRO
9.7-inch (wi-fi/cellular) 32gb and my Moto Droid 5". If it really gets bad, I can dig out my laptop with NOAA charts loaded on it.

 

[Alegria]

I just bought a refurb'd I-Pad 4th Wi-Fi only and it sucks. My phone is a great backup but I wanted a bigger screen than my phone. I run Navionics on everything but the I-Pad is putting me on land not water...

You need a bluetooth GPS to run with you WIFI only IPAD. I use a Dual model you can pick it up on Amazon. It will track perfect once you have that.

I use an Android Tablet that has a GPS built in and Navionics. It tracks perfect compared to my Northstar 952 on the boat. A lot of non cellular Android tablets have a GPS in them. I have an Asus ZenPad. It's been great, it fits into my old IPAD mount/Sea Sucker.

 

[PMC]

Another android guy here. I'm a fan of Samsung, and this has a built in GPS that is quite accurate. You don't need a cellular plan, nor an active WIFI connection to run the Navionics app (just download the charts in advance). It is a great secondary nav aid device.