ipad on board?

Tips Up

Well-Known Member
I was on a friends boat this weekend and although he had a smaller screen Lowrance, we used his ipad for gps to get the bigger screen. I was quite impressed with the plotting we could do on the touch screen and some of the other functions.
Wife wants an ipad for music... so now I am thinking I may buy her one (so I can use it on boat)

Can anyone give some feedback on using these on board?
Does the salt air get to them and kill them?
Any other issues?
Comments?

Thanks
Tips
 
Can't answer your ?, but how did you attach it to the Lowrance?
I bought one for the Wife for her music, but now I might have to borrow it! LOL
 
You don't need to hook it to your Lowrance.
The maps are a $15.00 app.
If you have iphone you can put it on both.

Tips
 
Hey Tips......are you on BCFR forum? damnfish uses one on his boat and may be worth asking as he's run it for about a year now. I have the apps loaded on mine but haven't bothered using it as of yet.....another buddy had his on his boat last summer when we were out for sockeye; I played around with it for a while and it was pretty cool.
 
Get a good case for it for sure and keep it out of the spray. Bring a charger wih you. Also be very aware this is a back up system that will not work if you are out of cell coverage. IE most remote places on the west coast where gps is critical.

As long as your fishing around civilization they are great. I like how instead of a waypoint you can take a picture of the object you want to mark and view it later. Ive only done that once but its cool looking at my hali waypoint and seeing the fish i caught there if i click on it instead of just the icon.

I just have the app for iPhone iPad would be even better. Also you can't beat the price $15 for the app or $200 for the same thing on a card for my Lawrance. WTF???
 
It must work outside of cell range.
We were using an ipad not phone. Has no phone in it.
Worked from the beach to Swiftsure without a hitch.
GPS runs off of satalite not cell tower.

Plugged right into lighter so no power issues.

We had mounted Lowrance, backup handheld always in tackle box plus ipad which was new.

My biggest concern is the salt air getting in it. Salt eventually gets everything.

Tips
 
Sounds like you may be a guinea pig on this one Tips...put that Ipad through the salty paces and let us know how it holds up!
 
I've got the Navonics app ($13.99) on my iphone and ipad, but only use the iphone on board as back-up...the ipad stays at home. For the cost of an ipad you can get a pretty nice chart plotter.
I'm a tech r-tard, so don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure most navigation apps download the maps on the fly (not stored on the device), therefore you need have access to 3G for them to work (ie. need a cell signal).
 
iPad's work great with the charts as well as the iPhone. Found them faster than my Lowrance GPS and same maps but more features and way easier to get to. Make sure it does NOT get wet or very damp as they both have moisture sensors.

Gps works if you have a 3GS version and that is both the iPhone and iPad as both have built in GPS. If using a non 3GS version of the iPhone it uses cell towers and WiFi for GPS so if no cell reception then no GPS. Same goes for the iPad if you have a Sim card in it else no GPS unless connected to WiFi

iPad 3GS/iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4S = Uses built in GPS and uses WiFi and cell for faster signals. Apple calls this "assited GPS"

IPad 2/3 or iPhone 3/4 = No built on GPS, uses WiFi or cell for GPS. NO cell or no WiFi then no GPS although you can still uses the maps and software
 
My iPhone 4 gps works without cell reception. Navionics charts are already loaded on the phone........ Used it out at swiftsure, Nootka etc. no problem.
 
That's the one. You choose the area that you want to download once you have the app. Even has lake charts. You can add pictures and easily share your waypoints by email with your buds, if u want. Well worth the $15 as a backup.
 
Awesome sounds like some iPhones/iPads work without cell signal I have a 4s so it sounds like it should work anywhere. Sweet! I know my friends iPhone did not work in renfrew but he does have an older version.
 
I have iPhone 3GS and it is my only gps for my boat. UBS into lighter and I have a mount on the dash for it. Wish I could get a snazzy plotter sounder combo but this works for now. It has worked all over our waters and does not need cell reception. No case to protect It from the salt and it's going strong after 2 years. No splash though. Buddy uses iPad exclusively and it's sweet for a multi purpose electronIc toy. No issues for him and salt and he doesn't use a cover either. These things are sealed up pretty well.
 
Thanks for all the replies.
Sounds like you just have to make sure you have the right model of ipad or iphone and keep it dry.

Tips
 
I have an IPAD 2 with navionics app installed, havent used it onboard my boat yet as i dont have a waterproof case, they are coming out with one for the ipad very soon from the company lifeproof (http://www.lifeproof.com/shop/ipad-2) waterproof to 6 feet, so i would definetly feel safe having it onbaord. I have played with the lifeproof case on my buddies Iphone 4, awsome unit, definelty buying one. My ipad does not have built in GPS, it is the WIFI only model, if you buy the ipad with 3G model, it will have onbaord GPS chip and you can use it as a GPS without being connected to cellular network,,,,As i dont have a built in GPS i bought a dual XGPS150 from gpscity.ca (http://www.gpscity.ca/dual-xgps150-universal-bluetooth-gps-receiver.html) It is a gps reciever that conects via bluetooth to your ipad,,,,works AWSOME, i use it in my Car along with TOMTOM navigator app as my GPS when going on trips in my truck. Its specs are actually higher than the internal GPS on the IPAD 2 3G version. The new navionics app for IPAD IS AMAZING, you get lakes/ocean, i waited until they went on sale, got them for 28$ I also have the old version for my IPHONE and it works on the IPAD but the new versions are HD so better graphics, and made for the IPAD.
 
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