IPAD

R

Roy

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
114
Messages
186
Anyone used an IPAD with GPS on the boat? Comments... Sorry if this has already been discussed.
 
Hey Roy, I use my iPhone from time to time. Works fine and the view is good in the shade. I have played with friends iPads with nav apps. Much nicer of course do to the larger screen.
 
Yes, I use the GNS 5870 WAAS Bluetooth GPS. It works flawless. I get about 8-9 hours run time on a full chage and the accuracy is so accurate it even shows me in the correct slip on google earth. I run the Navionics USA HD App and the charts are better than my on-board chartplotter. I only use my Ipad for reference as a backup to my fixed mount chartplotter though. I also use the Radarscope app to keep an eye out for approaching storms.

I LOVE my Ipad!
 
One of my main concerns is screen brightness. Can you see the thing in bright sunlight?
 
nope and you wouldn't want to get it wet either. although there is a nice sleeve case it slides into to keep most water off it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Roy

One of my main concerns is screen brightness. Can you see the thing in bright sunlight?

Click to expand...

Screen brightness is easily adjustable, and I find a clear screen protector cuts down on the glare. Lot's of fun, and a great backup.
 
N715... I didn't know you could link an i pad to a BT gps... That s good news..
 
Pascal

Yes, the Gns is a Bluetooth gps that works great with the IPad. It is also WAAS capable and comes with a cheap but usable suction cup mount. This system has proven to be dead on. I will be testing the unit further as I am taking my new boat from Nashville TN to Chattanooga TN which is a 600 mile trip which Hesiod a pretty decent report.

As for sunlight visibility, I have had no issues seeing the screen at my upper helm. I purchased a suction cup Ram Mount which allows for easy adjustment for the minimal glare.
 
There are 2 GPS products I am aware of for I Pads that give good GPS Bad ELF http://bad-elf.com/products/gps/
and Dual XGF150 http://xgps150.dualav.com/
I am waiting on a BAD ELF unit ans will advise what I think of it after I get a chance to play with it on my IPAD WiFi only units.

I guess compared to the displays on my Garmin 6212 and 740s at the helm I would say the IPAD is almost worthless in direct sunlight. I still like the unit for what I use it for surfing the NET and looking at weather. I use mine more for entertainment than I would hopefully ever have to as a navigation tool. It still would be nice to have the ability if I ever needed too. That is one of the reasons I am trying a BPS unit for my WiFi only units.
Bill
 
It was the 1st GPS add on for the WiFi only I-PAD I came across. I will probably end up owning and testing both.
Bill
 
Billy
I'd be interested in the results of your testing, please keep us posted.

I Like the Bad ELF form factor but I’m concerned it may not get a very good signal when used from our lower helm were a remote Bluetooth unit could, then again my DoridX does a good job at that location.
 
Don't have time to read all the replies

Yes, used 2 iPhones and onboard systems to navigate Newport last year and the phones almost worked better than marine eqpt,,,,
 
If your ipad is the version with 3G you should be good to go. IPhone GPS is pretty damn good.

Located me just fine this Memorial Day Weekend :)

island.JPG
 
Hey Billy
any update on your Bluetooth shootout?

I see that N715 has had good luck with the GNS 5870- so that may be an option as well, but your feedback is very welcome
 
I was told by "Best Buy" that all ipad 2 (including the 3G version) would not receive gps satellites. In other words, if you are out on your boat, miles off shore, and there are no cell signals and no wifi signals available, that the Ipad 2 with 3g could not give a position fix based on gps alone. I'm told smart phone do because they are required by law to have gps capability due to the 911 system. I know best Buy is not the best authority on this question.
 
I'm going to guess there's a big cost difference between daylight readable displays and those that aren't. That's the only explanation I can come up with. I find my Droid, my wife's iPhone4, and even our iPad just about useless in daylight. I'd hate to try and navigate with them. I keep a small Garmin color handheld as my backup to my Garmin 640 (and of course the compass is the backup for both of them :-). Price of the screen might explain why my little 640 was nearly $1,000 and why daylight readable laptops and tablets (I know Dell has some) are pretty darn expensive too.

A thing that makes me shy away from using anything but a dedicated GPS Chartplotter would be if the system required some sort of data connection. That would become rather useless offshore and even inshore where signal isn't available.

BTW, Pascal brings up Active Captain frequently. One of his posts reminded me that I have an account. I now find myself using that service all the time. Tonight I want to leave reviews for some of the marinas and anchorages we found in Florida the past few weeks by reading other users reviews. It's a very nice service and is free.
 
I looked into placing a sunlight viewable flat panel under the map holder on Saint Max. The cost was WAY out of my league. The company I contacted and speak to from time to time is VarTech Systems. DoD uses them a lot.

The Panasonic Tough Book is another route I have heard taken. I have not looked into that yet.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

So does this GNS device need 3G iPad?

Click to expand...


No, I run mine on a WiFi only Ipad. I have navigated over 250 miles with my GNS in the past couple weeks and it is spot on.
 
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