Low Cost Tablets for Navigation

[BlowingOldBoots]

There is no doubt, in my opinion, that tablet navigation has come of age. They are superior to expensive branded plotters if navigation only is the primarily objective. There are a few downsides to tablets such as integration with other electronics, visibility in direct sunlight, battery life and over heating shut down (after prolonged periods being on).

However, low cost tablets are available, check out this website of you are in the market for low cost tablets with 12 months guarantee. They are all refurbished, many brands available: -

https://www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/l/ta ... 36bec68ada Use the search filters, top left, to filter between Android and Apple.

[Bodach na mara]

I used a tablet (Acer B4 IIRC) since about 2026 for navigation . The tablet dates from 2011 and I installed the MenoryMap app in 2016 taking advantage of the offer of cheap Admiralty Charts and Antares Charts at the same time. I didn't get a chart plotter until 2021. I did have a Garmin satnav since about 2008. Monochrome type with no chart, only waypoint marks, which I entered, tracks and the availability of basic waypoint and route navigation.

The use of the tablet was a revelation, with one major problem. I had to leave the cockpit to see the screen. It is too reflective and not bright enough. I still carry it but mainly use the Echomap 65 plotter as I can see where I am instantly. I had great fun with the tablet issuing commands from the cabin to Irene on the helm and we made our way out from Castle Tioram Anchorage that way, "left a bit, more left, hold that, now slow turn right" etc. Irene assisted my telling me that it was getting a bit shallow all the time. Of course I hadn't seen the YouTube video of a certain TV presenter hitting a brick on the way out of Arisaig when we did that.

The plotter has many more functions than the tablet but I have not yet managed to use them. Not so much a learning curve as a brick wall to me.

[Aja]

Argh!

Posted two days too late. I've just bought a Samsung S6 not just for nav on the boat but have installed Memory Maps and Antares.

This replaced an ailing Ipad that's stuck at IOS 10.3.3 and won't take any more updates and is terribly slow in comparison.
Donald

[Telo]

I've not used them myself, but London Chart Plotters seem to get a good write-up from our down south YBW friends. Quite an informative site, and possibly of interest to grammar pedants. https://www.londonchartplotters.com/

[aquaplane]

I have a Samsung S7 which talks to my Raymarine Axiom plotter by Wi-Fi with software.
It's handy for passage planning, waypoint placing from inside when it's foul outside.
So saves the cost of an interior MFD.
Having sailed single handed without auto pilot I want nav info in the cockpit, not at the chart table, it's no good below.
The tablet is crap to use outside, not bright enough.