Ipad in Boat?

[sparetime]

So I now realize that I can get a lake map application for my wife’s Ipad (big learning curve for me). Who is using the Navionics app and how do you like it? A few of the reviews at the ITunes store were not very good.

Additionally, how are you protecting the device? From water and bouncing?

(For what it’s worth, we were given the Ipad as a gift, so no hazing please)

[JimBuck]

Don't worry about the bouncing, it is flash based internal storage so you don't need to worry about moving parts like an hdd. I can't comment on the Navionics app as I don't have that or an iPad. I have heard great things about Navionics for mobile phones however.

With proper development, their could be some really interesting possibilities out there as using an iPad (or any tablet) as a cheaper secondary display, media device, camera, video etc. I've been saying this for years, but I'd love to have the ability to use a touchscreen interface on a depth finder. User-interface design in marine electronics is way too cumbersome for the amount of money you pay for current technology. I'm all for devices that serve several purposes and to have the ability to network a tablet or a phone with existing equipment on the boat would be a game changer. The technology is already in place for home and transportation with bluetooth.

Getting back to your question....I'd say if you can find a way to prevent condensation or moisture from getting inside the unit to try it out. Between Navionics and various Weather apps it'd be a sweet piece of equipment to have. Let us know how it goes. Those iPads are the bees knees.

[Shack]

Not sure how good it works for the iPad, but Click Here for an Otter Box Review here at HSO would be my go to with protection for an iPad.

[CAMAN]

Like I said in the other thread, the otter box for iPad is not recommended for water protection. They even state it is not designed for water.

[Shack]

As far as I have found the Otter Box has been the best for my iPhone. Saved my iPhone 4 last month after it fell out of my pocket when getting out of the car and I had not noticed. Sure enough it rained that evening and without it, I would been getting another.

What do you recommended CAMAN?

[CAMAN]

What do you recommended CAMAN?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

You will see this coming in the not to distant future. There is a market for multi purpose devises and this is only barely getting started. Hard for some to justify a stand alone device that only works for the boat. Glad to see somebody else is a forward thinker.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

And yes, the app is awesome on the ipad

[SledNeck]

As far as I have found the Otter Box has been the best for my iPhone. Saved my iPhone 4 last month after it fell out of my pocket when getting out of the car and I had not noticed. Sure enough it rained that evening and without it, I would been getting another.

What do you recommended CAMAN?

are you sure?

I dropped my iphone4 in a lake last summer and it was at the bottom for 10 minutes. No case. Still working when I pulled it out. Has been flawless ever since. I think id rather not have a phone that have to deal with a hideous otterbox case on it.

[Shack]

Maybe the reason why you dropped it? Otter box has a rubber outside to it to help with those who have fumblidous with these phones.

After years of use with the Otter Box I have been impressed and to me they look totally fine for the purpose they serve. I guess I came from Sprint/Nextel and rugged designed phone so I am used to it. Never have cared for the slim and petite phones anyways when using in the field for work and the outdoors. My wife on the other hand likes the slim and no cover look, but she is never in a boat or around manufacturing. I can see how people who are not familiar with this would not appreciate the value and look of the added 1/16" of black rubberized protection as hideous.

[Shack]

I am all ears here. Can anyone recommend something better than the OtterBox without going to a full blown sealed case?

I ain't leaving my electronics on shore so thanks and no warnings needed.

Also the protection I think (just a hunch) most are looking for does not include full submersion, fire proof, or explosion proof. Just something for those who want to put on the console and protect from the rare chance of rain or splash occurring. Obviously with the mindset of putting the device away if the conditions worsen.

I am always looking for something better so thanks for any input.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

So it really comes down to what you are looking to do with it.

It will give you basic GPS capabilities and allow you to set waypoints, tracks, etc. The maps are updated free, which is awesome. Not sure about waypoint management, but I think you are not able to transfer data to a pc, or another unit. However you have a portable device that you can use to do so many other things. It is not limited to being tied to your boat for occasional, seasonal use.

However, if you are a fisherman that wants a dedicated boat GPS with all the advanced features, then this is not your device. The other end of this spectrum is a combo locator/GPS unit with side imaging. Tons of advanced features for tons of cash too.

Another thing to consider is sunlight viewing. Can you see an iPad in the sun? A dedicated fishing GPS often, but always has a sunlight viewable screen. However the iPad has a huge screen compared to most of the boating GPS units available under $1k

Some can justify spending $1k-$2k for a seasonal accessory item for their rig because it is that important to them. From some of the responses I see posted here and other locations there are many on the forum that feel that way. One would expect those comments since this is a fishing forum and fishing is their deal.

On the other hand, if you look at a broader picture there are many that would like to have some capability in a multi-use device such as this. A person just needs to be honest with themselves and ask what can you justify for your situation and how much do you want to spend.

Google ram mounts and check out their line of mounts for the iPad. Here is a there mount for a boat:

Also Google waterproof covers for the iPad and see what you can find. Some guys are just using a gallon zip-lock bag, but there are other options available.

Common sense prevails when using a devise outside of it's "normal" use (insert Starbucks here, again). The iPad is more rugged then some think. It has no hard-drive, the shell is made of one piece CNC machined aluminum, but extra care will be needed to be sure it is protected from water while in the Ram mount and that the mount is stable enough to keep it from being beat to death in rough seas.

If you feel like you what to give it a try, please report back your results.

[CJH]

^ I think this is a very well thought out and practical comment. What works for some may not work for others, and as long as you keep it dry I think the iPad is more durable than what people are giving it credit for. Its a great option for the casual fisherman who isn't probably going out when the weather is rough anyway. Plus you can replace if it does break with the money saved over buying a good dedicated boat unit (not talking hand helds w/ not comparable screen size.

[prov1900]

Shack, the Otterbox looks like a good deal for the Ipad. We just got one and they are pretty cool, but that fear of dropping it (not in the water, on concrete) would be alleviated with something like that...

90 bucks? Does that sound right? I guess that is cheap insurance considering the owner (wife) has the propensity to drop camera and laptops

[CAMAN]

You can find them for A LOT cheaper (50%) on a few websites. Look around, specifically on Amazon....

[CAMAN]

What do you recommended CAMAN?

Oooooh...just found a pretty slick looking case...google "Trident Kraken Hybrid iPad"

If I had my own iPad this is what I would use if I "needed" to bring it in the boat.

[prov1900]

That looks pretty 'bad apple'. Ha, I just made a marketing phrase. 39 bones, that looks like a pretty good deal.

You were right, the Otterbox is a lot cheaper off of Amazon.

[Shack]

I likie CAMAN. That looks slick and with the extra hips added would make holding on to very nice. Nice price also.

Here are a couple reviews of rugged iPad cases:

Now you will have to check for mountable mounts, as I believe RAM is designed for no case. I would think.

prov1900 just wait and see. I had not been looking into cases for awhile and knew there are (or had to be) some new ones on the market now. Otter Box pretty much was the only option when I had the 3G and still is with the off the self options, the last I looked at Wally World, for the impulse buyer.

[SledNeck]

Maybe the reason why you dropped it? Otter box has a rubber outside to it to help with those who have fumblidous with these phones.

After years of use with the Otter Box I have been impressed and to me they look totally fine for the purpose they serve. I guess I came from Sprint/Nextel and rugged designed phone so I am used to it. Never have cared for the slim and petite phones anyways when using in the field for work and the outdoors. My wife on the other hand likes the slim and no cover look, but she is never in a boat or around manufacturing. I can see how people who are not familiar with this would not appreciate the value and look of the added 1/16" of black rubberized protection as hideous.

i had the iskin revo which is nowhere near as big as the otterbox, for my old iphone, that worked okay. But I got sick of having to pull out the bottom flap to charge the phone

I didnt actually drop it technically. It was sitting on the beer cooler on a dock that collapsed under the weight of some overweight people! Phone launched into the lake, but they saved the beer cooler....

[pureinsanity]

I recommend bringing your electronics and putting them in the glove box of your boat That keeps them dry.

[JimBuck]

It sounds like Panasonic is releasing a Toughbook Android Tablet. If it's anything like the laptop, this should be a good great device for mapping applications/media in the boat. Giddyup! If the price is reasonable, sign me up.

Panasonic Android Tablet

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Ah, but is it waterproof?

[JimBuck]

I can't find any information on that. I would assume that it would be since the Toughbook laptop is waterproof but don't quote me on that.

I'm really curious to see what they will have for a retail price. I've used toughbook laptops before and really enjoyed them. A little spendy, but very durable and reliable.