I would not want a unit with a keyboard above deck unless it were a ToughBook, but they are way overpriced. A tablet in a case and BT keyboard would be a safer option.
Joel On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 8:57 AM, Stevan Plavsa via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > We've cruised with an iPad .. well, on all our cruises. Two to three weeks > each time. We stow it when the weather is bad but we don't really do much > sailing when the weather is bad, we have that choice being lake sailors. > > I also own a helm mounted chartplotter that we got at the start of this > year. I use both. But the iPad is better in a lot of ways to be honest. > > I like my Asus built "Google Nexus". It has built in GPS and it's 7". Like > Marek says, it's a nice size for handling and they are not expensive. The > only reason we use the iPad instead of it is because I cracked the screen > (boat related actually, but much more to do with my carelessness than > marine conditions). I think a Surface is overkill for your application. Use > the voice recognition for writing emails, forget about keyboards :) > > Steve > Suhana, C&C 32 > Toronto > > > On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 8:22 AM, Persuasion37 via CnC-List < > cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > >> Before I went on my cruise to the Bahamas I researched tablets for >> waterproofness. Only Sony advertised their tablet as water. I'm not >> naive, I do not believe it to be truly water proof but splash proof yes. So >> I mounted the Sony at the helm on a home made mount. I also carry an IPad, >> laptop, and Raymarine radar/chart plotter. It's amazing how many times the >> systems didn't agree on my position. >> >> Mike >> PERSUASION >> C&C 37 K/CB >> Long Sault >> >> On Nov 1, 2016, at 5:49 AM, Dave S via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> >> wrote: >> >> Am also looking for the right tablet choice - i use two ipad airs today, >> have played with a laptop, and my work machine - MS-surface pro4. >> >> Will respectfully and gently disagree with Marek on suitability of a >> tablet - IMO depending on the application a tablet is fine. Not likely to >> take Windstar 'round Cape Horn. Am part way through integrating a tablet >> with my instrumentation (with some great help from folks here) and for two >> seasons have used an ipad, ram mount and lifeproof case. Smashed one ipad >> season 1, (it was in my backpack, which took a tumble belowdecks) bought >> the case, then the mount. None of it cheap, but it's good stuff. Ram >> mount means I can choose multiple locations. Under the bimini, in the >> case, and on the mount, many of the tablet's shortcomings are overcome, and >> it's fine and reliable for Great Lakes daysailing and cruising. I like >> its portability, versatility, being able to jump between apps, tether to >> my phone, etc, and can update, upgrade or replace anything relatively >> inexpensively. (I have two ipads actually, and keep both onboard. Have >> also downloaded the chartplotter app to my iphone.) I like that I do not >> need a large pod and upgraded rail at the helm - It's crowded and costly >> enough. >> >> Details, rambling discourses, and a few toned-down rants here: >> >> http://cncwindstar.blogspot.ca/2016/09/electronics-what-to-do.html >> >> Still issues to resolve with using the iPad. It does many things well >> but does not play 100% well with other applications. Windows seems >> obvious but.... I agree with Marek on the windows tablets, - if you get >> one, you must get a good one. Was ready to buy and after investigation I >> decided against it. (so far) I have a surface pro 4 for work, works fine >> with a few maddening quirks, but it is expensive, seems fragile, and the >> power connection is definitely designed for on-the-desk use.. Also agree >> with Marek on the smaller tablets - handier. The ipad air especially the >> MS-Surface are both very non-ergonomic in the hands, and easy to drop as >> you know. The lifeproof case helps this. Whatever you get, make sure >> you can also get a good case and mount. Agreed also on the BT keyboard. >> IF you want a weatherproof and rugged case you will not have an attached >> keyboard. >> >> Without a GPS receiver you can always get a dongle (fragile) or bluetooth >> type. Google "Bad elf" or Garmin GLO. I have the latter and it works >> fine. Windstar has 3 GPS antennae... >> >> By using bluetooth and possibly onboard GPS you will require more >> frequent charging. Have installed a blueseas dual USB charger at my nav >> station (handy) but a rugged connection to power at the helm is a >> resolvable problem I have not yet resolved. >> >> Dave >> >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2016 02:27:45 +0000 >> From: Marek Dziedzic <dziedzi...@hotmail.com> >> To: "cnc-list@cnc-list.com" <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> >> Subject: Re: Stus-List Best new tablet for nav/general use >> Message-ID: >> <CY4PR17MB095143D6466E9E5CD9C9903CCEA10@CY4PR17MB0951.namprd >> 17.prod.outlook.com> >> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >> >> I do not believe that a tablet of any kind is a good enough navigation >> instrument (I have a Garmin 720 and I trust it much more (I can see the >> screen in full sunlight without problems, it is completely waterproof and >> I >> can operate it with keys (not touch)), but I find that if you want a >> tablet >> for anything you are much better off with a low cost ( I don't necessarily >> mean cheap) tablet that you can use as disposable. I had very good success >> with a Dell Venue Pro (Windows), an Acer (also Windows) and an ASUS >> Android >> one. I also find that the 7-8 inch tablets are much less prone to >> shattering >> problems (they are simply much easier to handle and they have a size that >> is >> much better for keeping in one's hand). The cost can be as low as just >> around $100 (8" Android) or around $200 for an 8" Windows. For that money >> you can break 3 and buy the 4th and you just come about to the cost of the >> Surface Pro or worse yet to the cost of a cheap iPad. >> >> None of the generally available tablets is waterproof or even hardened, >> so I >> would not use it in the cockpit where it might be subjected to water >> damage. >> >> >> If you want a keyboard, you can easily buy a BT keyboard for under $30. >> Add >> 410 more an you have a complete system with a carrying case and keyboard. >> >> I have a Surface at work and I don't find the screen any better than 1/4 >> price Dell Venue (or even 1/10 price Acer). It is only bigger. True, the >> case is metal, but if you drop it a few times on the ground, the screen >> will >> break. >> >> A word of caution: If you buy a Windows tablet, spend more and get a 64 GB >> version (or bigger). With 32 GB you will have a major juggling task if you >> need to make a major system upgrade. This unfortunately means that the >> majority of tablets that are available on sale are out. >> >> Marek >> 2015 8" Dell Venue Pro (Win 10) >> 2012 7" Asus (Android) >> 2014 8" Acer Iconia (Android) >> Ottawa, ON >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Ryan >> Doyle via CnC-List >> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2016 17:40 >> To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com >> Cc: Ryan Doyle <ryanpdo...@gmail.com> >> Subject: Stus-List Best new tablet for nav/general use >> >> Hi all, >> >> I have a Garmin GPSmap 740 chartplotter and a Garmin radar, but I am >> looking >> to buy a tablet computer (possibly a Microsoft surface or an iPad) to >> supplement the Garmin unit as an electronic chartplotter (running >> navionics >> and raster charts) as well as just being my general computer - for writing >> emails, web browsing, and using Microsoft word. >> >> I was looking hard at the Microsoft surface because it comes with a >> keyboard, however it does not have an internal GPS receiver. I'm sure >> they >> make USB GPS receivers though. >> >> My requirements are: a good keyboard, a touch screen, GPS (for running >> nav >> apps) and it needs to be sturdy tough enough to hold up reasonably well >> on a >> boat. I have destroyed two iPads (the screens shattered) by traveling >> with >> them and being a tad clumsy, so i don't trust myself with iPads anymore... >> I'm looking for something hardier. >> >> Would love to hear what people out there are using on their boats. >> >> Thanks in advance, >> Ryan >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you >> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: >> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> >> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you >> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: >> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> >> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you > wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > > All Contributions are greatly appreciated! > > -- Joel 301 541 8551
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
