Ipad Help Needed

J

Jims380DA

Member
Mar 5, 2007
286
CT
Boat Info
2000 Sea Ray 380DA, Kohler Gen
Engines
8.1L 496 MerCruiser
I'm looking to use my ipad as a backup chart plotter on the boat. I would assume that i need to get a GPS receiver. Which do you suggest? I have heard pros and cons on the bad elf and xgps150. Also, what is the best app to use with the ipad? I have the navionics on the phone but they want another $60 for the ipad version. I have never used the navionics to chart of follow a course yet. Is itneasynto use compared to my raymarine equipment? Thanks in advance.

PS - looking at the BadElf I don't think it's compatible with the new ipad with lightning plug. It only takes the 30 pin connector. Also concerned with it connected to the unit if that would be an issue with a mountable ipad holder. Thanks again.
 
Last edited:
Which Ipad do you have? Mine is the Ipad 3 with WIFI and 3G. I do not need an external GPS. If you have an Ipad 3 with WIFI only you will need an external gps.
 
Jims380DA said:
I have the current ipad without 3G
Click to expand...

I'd trade it for one with cellular capability before I bought an inconvenient add on. It will also make other apps available function so you get more options.

If it is the newest pad it would have LTE otherwise known as 4G

MM
 
I use the dual bluetooth GPS and the navionics software. The dual syncs easily and works great. It is very easy to plot a course on the ipad. Just touch to lay down waypoints.

I brought the garmin software this year for a change. Still like the navionics a bit better but the garmin has active captin data integrated into it.
 
Tom, what's the dual Bluetooth GPS? Is it an attachment?
 
The dual and Badelf do not make any sense to me. The math is, pick up a used cell ready unit for $400-500 and sell the wifi unit for three and save the $100 bucks for the sensor, it is just something else to keep track of.

MM
 
Last edited:
I was just thinking today that I need to get a chart app for my ipad to have on the boat, I hate not knowing the depths of the lake
 
Dual is the manufacturer, sorry about that. I believe the model number is xps150. Got it off amazon for $79. It is a stand alone unit so I can mount the iPad close to the helm and place the GPS where it has good sight of the sky.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
MonacoMike said:
The dual and Badelf do not make any sense to me. The math is, pick up a used cell ready unit for $400-500 and sell the wifi unit for three and save the $100 bucks for something else to keep track of.

MM
Click to expand...
Agree
I have a 3G unit, loaded with Navionics. Works brilliantly, wife love's it.
 
Garmin mobile app is great. iPad with cell and wifi is best option, but neither are needed for operation; it happens to be only iPad midel with buikt in gps, so nothing else needed.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
 
stfarris61 said:
Garmin mobile app is great. iPad with cell and wifi is best option, but neither are needed for operation; it happens to be only iPad midel with buikt in gps, so nothing else needed.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

You must have a cell enabled pad or a add on GPS sensor for a plotter app to function.

MM
 
We have the original iPad with WiFi and 3G (built in GPS), and use the FlyToMap app. It was only $19.99 and uses NOAA charts, and saves marked tracks. It shows details including marker buoys. It's been spot on for our area which has a lot of shallows and shoaling in the channels. The entrance to our channel back into the bayou is very difficult to see at night, and we wouldn't attempt it at night without this app. This is an independent app and isn't associated with any of the chart plotter companies, and it doesn't have Active Captain. However it is a great back up planner with a surprising degree of accuracy at a very affordable cost.
A few things to keep in mind with using an iPad out on the water -- they will overheat and shut down if left in the hot sun, the screen can be difficult to see in a bright glare if you don't adjust the brightness up, and then, because of the constant on with tracking and the need for a brighter screen, you will want to have a 12volt charger on board because the battery will run down sooner than normal. Mine lasts about 4 to 5 hours on the water as opposed to the 10 hrs I get at home.
 
I have the IPAD 2 with WIFI and 3G (with built-in GPS), and would agree with others to spend the money getting a new IPAD with built-in GPS rather than an add-on capability. I've used my IPAD now for almost 3 years/boating seasons and it has never failed and is "spot on". In fact, the GPS on the IPAD is much more accurate than the GPS on my boat. If I carry the IPAD to the bow, it will so as such when overlayed with imagery. I use the Sea Sucker mount for the dash and then connect the 12V connector to the outlet under the dash, thereby ensuring power and not running off the IPAD battery

Regarding APPS, I have both Navionics and Garmin Blue Chart. Each has it strengths and weakness. The Navionics APP ALWAYS connects via the 3G and GPS using Verizon everywhere on the Chesapeake, where the Garmin sometimes doesn't sync. I also like the line of bearing on the Navionics APP, which is VERY accurate. I lay the line of bearing to a day beacon and use the autopilot and it takes me exactly to the beacon. However, I like the "heads up" capability of the Garmin APP and the fact it is linked to Active Captain. In the end, I mostly use the Navionics APP while underway, and use the Garmin APP for pre-planning and "cruising" from destination to destination.

While both APPS have the capability for route planning, I do not use that capability in either APP. I use my Raymarine E-120 for routes/tracks. Why? Because it can store more routes/tracks in memory and is slaved to my autopilot. However, I do use the IPAD APPS for "at-home" destination planning.

Finally, one nice thing about using the IPAD APPS is chart updates are normally included and can be easily downloaded, usually for no-cost. Doing the same on my E-120 would necessitate buying a new chip for several hundred dollars. In the end, I also still use paper charts under the helm as all can go "kafluey" in an instant.

My thoughts--hope they help?!
 
i have the ipad mini wifi only, it has a gps built in. you dont have to get a ipad 3g to have the gps function
 
According to apples specs, the wifi only mini does not have GPS.
 
jobofly said:
i have the ipad mini wifi only, it has a gps built in. you dont have to get a ipad 3g to have the gps function
Click to expand...

Turtlesboat said:
According to apples specs, the wifi only mini does not have GPS.
Click to expand...

Turtle is correct. This is from Apple help forums.

The question:

Have you guys really try to verify before posting? I have an ipad mini wifi. Just now i wanted to go to an adress so i loaded up Maps at my house (using wifi). I drove to the place i wanted to go and opened up my ipad mini to doublecheck the road, suprise suprise the blue icon came alive... I did not turn off wifi however i dont have any wifi signal on the road of course. Yes the blue icon followed accurately and precisely my actual location. Explain this guys... I will test again later maybe with some other gps or map app...

The reply:

Your iPad mini, in addition to its Wi-Fi chip, contains an appropriate subset (cache) of crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot data with which it can triangulate its location. With this data already loaded on your iPad mini, it doesn't need an actual Wi-Fi connection to triangulate its location — just the presence of nearby Wi-Fi signals.

On open water you will not have crowd-sourced wi-fi...

MM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,193
Messages
1,428,274
Members
61,103
Latest member
RealMarineInc
Back
Top