iPad visibility

F

folieadeux

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exMember
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My family just bought me a new iPad Air with internal GPS and I downloaded the Garmin Blue Charts app.

All looks great at home while having a cocktail and planning a route on the iPad for the weekend. As an extra gift, I even got the SeaSucker iPad mounting kit so I was doubly excited about the weekend cruise. I was very disappointed with the difference in the visibility of my Lowrance MFD units and the iPad, the iPad was almost impossible to see.

I have very light colored eyes and wear polarized sunglasses at all times out side and on the boat.

Any suggestions on improving the visibility issue on the iPad. I only have a bridge helm on my 391 so there is a lot of sun coming in.
 
There's a reason those daylight readable chart plotters cost so much :-)
 
1) Turn brightness to max (auto off).
2) Polarized glasses require iPad screen to be in landscape mode (horizontal) for any view.
You probably already knew this?
Have used iPad in bright sun this way for years w/o problem
Can't think of another means to improve view at present.
Good luck! It IS as easy (or easier) to read as any CP I've had!
 
I do find I have to remove my polarized glasses to see it at some angles.
I use it as the main plotter.
 
First out on a lifeproof case to protct it on board, it prefer the one without screen protector. Fully waterproof and still have a nice feel on the screen

As to visibility, in the shade under a bimini I find it to be fine but indeed better look over or under yoru sunglasses

Another issue is heart. If you leave it running facing direct sunlight too long it will shut down to protect itself
 
I find a matte film over the screen greatly reduces reflections.
 
As well as having the Lifeproof waterproof case I bought the Lifeproof LifeJacket. The LifeJacket helps insulate the iPad from the sun and heat. Before I began using the LifeJacket I could not leave the iPad/Lifeproof case in the sun for more than a half hour or so before it shut off due to heat. With the Life Jacket I have never had a problem with it being in the sun. To hold the LifeJacket I also bought a SlipGrip holder and with a Ram mount.

http://www.lifeproof.com/shop/us_en/lifeproof-lifejacket-for-ipad/

http://www.slipgripcarmounts.com/SlipGrip-RAM-Holder-For-Apple-iPad-2-3-4-GEN-Using-Lifeproof-LifeJacket-Float-Case_p_134257.html
 
Interesting I don't see how the life jacket prevents the s regen from getting hot in the sun.
 
Mostly because except for the actual screen, the entire iPad is covered in a lighter color (not black) in what is basically high density foam which even when in direct sunlight does not get hot at all. If the screen is angled so it does not directly face the sun you would be amazed at how cool the iPad stays.

...when I say cool I mean that it doesn't get super heated. It still does get warm just not so warm that it shuts off the iPad.
 
I too use the iPad Air as my main plotter on normal days. I can load specific tracks or routes like any plotter (been using Garmin). Of course, I would recommend having a full system in the boat in case power dies on iPad, weather gets too iffy (I guess even for the Lifeproof case)

I set it up with the Lifeproof Fre case (no screen protector, but gasket around screen edge for waterproof protection) and have it mounted with Ram Mounts.

Turn up the brightness and adjust so you can see through the polarized glasses on the horizontal.

Huge fun of it.
 
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