Tablet advice required - GPS and Navtronics Maps

LCheap Charlie on 18/12/2012 - 13:17

Hi all,

Wanting to buy a tablet and one function that I want it to be able to perform is to run the Navtronics Marine Maps
available through the android & iTunes stores.
Whilst the story is rather long, essentially there is a trend towards using Ipad's etc for navigation in marine & isolated offroading. Whilst a common GPS unit that you would use in a car can be had for next to nothing, dedicated offroad units such as Hema & Marine units are very expensive. If you have a tablet anyways and can also use it in a marine situation as many do by adding a $45 Navigation App & a waterproof cover.

My question is this, i know absolutely nothing about inbuilt GPS. Tablets tend to be advertised with differing variations of GPS. I am not sure which would be required for such a purpose.
I know iPad's all are capable but I did read on a fishing forums that the nexus 7 was not compatible.

Any information you have is gladly welcomed

NAVTRONICS:
http://www.navionics.com/en/mobile-pc-app

Computing

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sane on 18/12/2012 - 16:10

+1

IIRC ipads require you to buy the 3G/4G variety to get GPS. Bog standard doesn't do it.

Nexus 7 etc. ALL have GPS, and generally all GPS units are pretty similar today (eg mine gets lock in 1-5 secs, upteen satellites, etc. Connection to the russian satellites seems the thing today. The issue is if you can get the software, if you can, then Android is the way to go, no question.

My guess is it should be no problem to find a compatible app, judging by https://play.google.com/store/search?q=marine+navigation&c=a…
https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Navionics
DrStinge on 18/12/2012 - 16:23

+1

Hi Charlie,

Just checked on my Nexus 7; can confirm the "Your device isn't compatible with this version" comes up on Navionics apps such as Europe etc
- sane on 18/12/2012 - 16:47
  
  +1
  
  It appears that it's a Navionics stupidity more than anything, probably something to do with licensing, looking for a rake off, etc.
  
  There are plenty of reports around that if you sideload it, taking out the phone<>tablet check, then it works fine.
  
  http://androidforums.com/nexus-7/616066-navionics-marine-cha…
  http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?s=f3e740a0ba9872499…
  - DrStinge on 18/12/2012 - 17:00
    
    I think with the Google Play app submission you have to certify it for resolutions, as the Nexus 7 is still rather new a few apps have missed it and been updated over time (ie like Microsoft Smartglass which recently got updated for support).
    
    From experience (I own both a Nexus 7 & iPad 3), the GPS on both seem to work relatively well. One thing to consider is that Apple gift cards are regularly on sale (sometimes you can get 2 for 1) etc so that may take down the App price by half. On the other hand the Nexus 7 is a lot cheaper but has a smaller screen (unless you were considering the iPad Mini).
    
    iPad 2 may be a good option to consider too (a lot of them show up on Gumtree second hand).
    - sane on 18/12/2012 - 17:13
      
      And on the other, other hand, you can 'acquire' any apk to see if it works properly, before splashing out what is frankly a silly amount of money for a raster nav app.

Tablet advice required - GPS and Navtronics Maps

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