HELP! chartplotter or tablet?????

[bub]

Hey Guys, I need help,suggestions on which way to go..... Moneys tight so I'm looking at going the tablet route.... or a elit 5 from lowrance. any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.tks

 

[Kristo]

I find an installed chartplotter is much easier to use onboard than a tablet.
If you dont have a sounder many chartplotters are combination units.

 

[bub]

thanks kristo, I'm going to buy tommorrow so any info is welcome.....tks

 

[Kristo]

To clarify...if your rocking around in your boat using an ipad is a two handed operation compared to a chartplotter.
Waterproofing a tablet and securing a tablet is also an issue.
I have a Lowrance Hd7 and a older Garmin installed and find myself using the sounder on the Lowrance and the Garmin for charts....no particular reason other than I like the sounder detail on the Lowrance and the larger screen.
I also have an ipad with the Navionics app and if I take it with me on the boat I always stash it away somewhere where it is safe and secure and use it for internet access or email.

 

[Big Green Machine]

Not sure how the tablets will stand up to the salt. I bring my iPad on board and use Navionics App which is really great but there is no way to charge it unless I use a converter. It won't work with the cigarette lighter that charges my phone though. So, it needs to be fully charged to use before you leave the house. The battery life depends on how often you are using it. Would guess a long days fishing would be ok. As a back up I have the Navionics on my iPhone which does work for charging in the lighter but the screen is so small its not great if your at the helm in a chop. Go for a mounted unit if you can swing it.

 

[bub]

thanks guys, just the price difference is gettin to me.... 499 vs 699$ and I have a tablet to mess around on. I hear ya on the salt and water concerns.... was gonna try and rig something up.

 

[Sushihunter]

Personally, I would view a tablet as something to get AFTER you have a good GPS/Sounder unit installed on your boat.

Tablets are not designed to be on boats in salt water environments - same as cameras (as I have discovered), but at least your life won't be dependent on your camera.

 

[bub]

10-4 guys.... I'm going down to harbour chandler in the morning, tks again