What tablet do you use on the boat for navigation?

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
I searched here and Googled and I am getting a lot of mixed results on "what" I need. For starters I have never owned a tablet. So I guess I am a beginner.

I purchased and installed Navionics on my phone. I'd like to run this on a "bigger screen" while on the boat.

I am looking for a simple easy to use no frills tablet for backup navigation on the boat. If it integrates with my Raymarine A98 MFD all the better. That's it, I will not use the tablet for anything else. I am not an Apple user. I have an Android Google Pixel thru Verizon that I am happy with, so no "get an Apple" replies please :)

I assume everyone uses cellular while on the water? Do I contact Verizon and ask for an addition "plan"?

What tablet do you use (no Apple again please)?

Any tips/tricks/been there-done that you can share with me?



Thanks
 
Last edited:
Well if your going to rule out half the tablets, what difference does it make? :)
 
Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.
Most use iPads that I’ve seen, and so do I. You can get a Samsung tablet with android. Make sure it has a GPS receiver or you’ll need an external one. Also make sure you have some shade for it or it will overheat.
 
I use a samsung android tablet held on a blank fiberglass area below my old 1999 chartplotter with velcro tape. Powered with a dc charger cord. Runs Navionics. Works wonderfully. Use it also to find nearby services. Only problem I have is screen goes into time out ever 30 minutes.

You do not need internet. Once you load Navionics thru playstore for 15 bucks, the maps are in the units memory and the units gps does the rest. Can also use your phone as a backup.
 
I say "no Apple" only because I do not own/use any other Apple products, except for my work phone, which is rare. So perhaps it's an ignorant statement/opinion. If the Apple tablets are superior and no frills I am open to the idea.

Again, I am an Android phone user, never owned a tablet, and I don't want to own a tablet other than for navigation on the boat.
 
I tried using a tablet for a while but saw no advantage to it as a backup. The Raymarine navigation set up on my boat was rock solid. I did use a backup in the event the electronics went down. I kept a paper log of the magnetic compass heading to the next way point incuding the ETA. When reaching the next WP, I wrote down the time of arrival and the ETA of the next. I would watch the compass and when that heading stabilized, I wrote that down. I found tablets tended to be unreliable when you needed them for backup. My advice is to set your boat up with reliable fixed navigation equipment and rely on it. Use a paper back up.
 
If your going to stick with Android (I have) then from my experience use Samsung tablets. They are very well constructed and are as good or better then Apples offering in most cases. I also have the Google Pixel 6 Pro. I use to use only Samsung products, but they got way out of hand on price, so I went with the Pixel and it is just as good as Samsung. The tablet market is a bit different unfortunately. Most cheaper tablets are just that cheap.

I have two tablets that are dedicated to the boat, a Samsung TAB A7 8.7" in the cabin for the Fusion app, Sonos app, and Navionics as well as a few others. I also have a 10" Samsung that is dedicated to the helm for Maretron N2Kview and Navionics as well. The "Tablet" that I found to be the best is an Acer Chrome book. I use it for light business (office 365) and all person and boating things. It always travels with me everywhere. It runs Navionics really well. I also have a 256GB card with all of the boats PDF files on all systems and documents in PDF format as well, even though I still have all of the paper onboard.

I also have all Garmin electronics onboard, which also requires Active Captain to manage. That app will only allow two installations on remote devices, so my Pixel 6 Pro and the Chrome Book handle that. Be careful on selecting a Chrome Book and do your research they are not all created equal. The one I chose has a great price point and is constructed very well, all metal (not sure what type) case and fast processor. I never thought much about chrome books until last year when I decided on this one after reading an article on them. I could not live without this at this point.

This is great for arm chair editing and the like.
 
Do not use a tablet as your primary nav device. It’s great in the living room, for planning. Or as a backup. But not as your primary.
126D35CB-884E-4993-A13E-E5036591287E.jpeg
 
scooper321 said:
Do not use a tablet as your primary nav device. It’s great in the living room, for planning. Or as a backup. But not as your primary.
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Great point and I failed to mention that. If left in direct summer sun it will over heat for sure.
 
I have charts on the boat and can read them, it's 2022 though ;) everything is digital now...

Heck, I use the moon, stars, smoke signals, birds and sun to navigate...or just follow the boat in front of me.
 
For me it's not so much about navigation per se or relying on a device. I can read a chart and plan a route/trip. I think digital/electronics, in general, make our lives easier/better, or at least they should. I am one of the last to adopt digital/electronics so I am "catching up" if you will, especially since I have been boatless for a few years. If there's value in me bringing a tablet onto the boat for "help" then I want to explore that.
 
I'm new to all this as well. So if I go the tablet route, I do not need the additional cell plan??

Not that I'd use it for navigation but it sure would be nice to play around with various trips from home. I try to do it on my iPhone but the screen is so small it takes all the fun out of it.
 
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