Android Tablet Recommendations

[Touch of Gray]

Question If one goes tablet they have various storage options 16/32/64 GB with typically +$100 each bump. If you want to use for navigation, streaming say Netflix (when WiFi available) but not a whole lot of pictures and music, is 16 GB enough?

Now the $64,000 question, is it or will it be possible to interface a tablet to the autopilot via Seatalk or NMEA in the future, or talk to and display the AIS, making the chartplotter obsolete? If this is coming, I'm all in on a tablet.

However, so far there is some question in my mind raised on bright/outdoor use. How do the charplotters solve this? Weatherproof covers solve outside use, but bright still seems to need some work.

Thanks

TOG

It is possible today to do much of that today. We sell a box that we are soon to advertise on sailing anarchy that connects your tablet to the boat using UDP packets. (very fast data rate) Getting routes to the chartplotter will happen in the future I bet but a solution requires a software interface and development that has not happened yet. The chartplotter will be obsolete because there is just so much more you can do with tablets for cheaper, and you don't have to cut ugly holes in your boat. We are DMK Yacht if you want to see it work with to chartplot or show AIS check our www.dmkyacht.com/inavx

Checked it out. Interesting and thanks for stating the issue of what is coming. I may give you a call to discuss. Only issue is it seems you are iJobs system. Are you working on Android?

 

[Distance]

Question If one goes tablet they have various storage options 16/32/64 GB with typically +$100 each bump. If you want to use for navigation, streaming say Netflix (when WiFi available) but not a whole lot of pictures and music, is 16 GB enough?

Now the $64,000 question, is it or will it be possible to interface a tablet to the autopilot via Seatalk or NMEA in the future, or talk to and display the AIS, making the chartplotter obsolete? If this is coming, I'm all in on a tablet.

However, so far there is some question in my mind raised on bright/outdoor use. How do the charplotters solve this? Weatherproof covers solve outside use, but bright still seems to need some work.

Thanks

TOG

It is possible today to do much of that today. We sell a box that we are soon to advertise on sailing anarchy that connects your tablet to the boat using UDP packets. (very fast data rate) Getting routes to the chartplotter will happen in the future I bet but a solution requires a software interface and development that has not happened yet. The chartplotter will be obsolete because there is just so much more you can do with tablets for cheaper, and you don't have to cut ugly holes in your boat. We are DMK Yacht if you want to see it work with to chartplot or show AIS check our www.dmkyacht.com/inavx

Checked it out. Interesting and thanks for stating the issue of what is coming. I may give you a call to discuss. Only issue is it seems you are iJobs system. Are you working on Android?

We are working on an Android version using the Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. This was the first Android system that is compatible with our UDP packets that we broadcast. Before that the Android stuff required a TCP connection which was a direction we did not want to go because it was slower and less reliable. We are testing with iRegatta and a Galaxy tablet but for the near future an iOS device will be required with you want to customize the setup of our box. That is just because we are a small company so we have to prioritize our development

 

[Touch of Gray]

So I have the opportunity to get a Razr Maxx. Review says: "Motorola has designed what they call an HD Station for the Droid Razr MAXX 4G that allows you to hook the powerful processor in the handset up to a keyboard, mouse and a large screen HDTV. This delivers a desktop experience supported by cloud computing services that let you run Android applications and surf the web using Motorola’s WebTop browser. There are also three USB ports on the optional HD Station accessory, enhancing connectivity options."

Thoughts?

 

[imran631]

Hi,

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[Touch of Gray]

Hi,

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Nigerian Prince Scam alert

 

[ProaSailor]

So I have the opportunity to get a Razr Maxx. Review says: "Motorola has designed what they call an HD Station for the Droid Razr MAXX 4G that allows you to hook the powerful processor in the handset up to a keyboard, mouse and a large screen HDTV. This delivers a desktop experience supported by cloud computing services that let you run Android applications and surf the web using Motorola’s WebTop browser. There are also three USB ports on the optional HD Station accessory, enhancing connectivity options."

Thoughts?

I absolutely LOVE my DROID RAZR MAXX. Fantastic machine, best gadget I've ever owned. Very long battery life, was able to run navigation software continuously using Google Maps, and the $10 Marine Navionics software is stunning. I navigated around Kaneohe Bay (which is full of reefs) and made the passage from Oahu to Kauai using this device. Had a glitch off Kilauea and lost the last part of our track, but we were nearly home by then. See Image Gallery: routes and tracks, Kaneohe to Hanalei from log page.

P.S. Forgot to mention that the Droid worked fine inside a ziplock bag, no problem with the touch screen.

 

[harro]

Just bought a Chinese Tablet PC for 121 Euros and navionics software for tablet for 30.24 Euros.

It's called a Flytouch 6 Tablet. It has a 10.2" screen and runs Android 4.0 as the operating system. It has a 1GHz CPU, 1GB ram and 16GB storage.

​

Ordered it on Wednesday and it arrived from Hong Kong on Monday by DHL. Postage was free!

​

My link

Tablet is quite good itself and comes with an external GPS aerial.

Unlike iPad the Android tablet had USB ports HDMI, LAN port and has a slot to expand memory with Micro SD cards. The iPad does have a much better screen capacitive screen but the Android is more flexible. The iPad capacitive screen requires a touch from a finger to operate it so it can't be operated if it is in a protect cover. The Tablet I bought has a resistive screen so it can be operated through a protective cover or a stylus instead of a wet finger!

Got a waterproof case for 2.99 and 2 car chargers for 6 Euros, (1 for car, 1 for boat)

Downloaded Navionics UK and Holland from their website.

The tablet isn't on the Navionics approved tablets list but decided to try it anyway. Worked fine initially but then crashed. Navionics support were unwilling to help. Diagnosed it myself and found that there was an incompatibility problem with the version of Google Maps available for Android 4.0 and Navionics. So, reset Tablet to factory settings and reinstalled all my other apps except Google Maps. Reinstalled Navionics and it has worked fine for the last week.

Con: Can't be connected to DSC VHF radio. Screen isn't bright enough to use outdoors, best used in cabin or under sail hood.

Pro. Price. Can be used as a PC, entertainment centre, communications centre, can be connected to internet by wifi or through smartphone. Unlike iPad has Flash player, usb ports, Micro SD card slot for memory expansion. Price

 

[Paddy]

The Toshiba 7.7 excite was just released, claims to be sunlight readable, amoled screed, GPS. $$.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/toshiba-excite-7-7-review/

 

[Wet Spreaders]

1337623155[/url]' post='3721895']Worth checking out the iAIS for Digital Yacht if you're interested in getting AIS/boat data over to an iPAD/tablet/PC and don't already have AIS. We're still working through how to get the instrument data over as the Nexus Classic doesn't use checksums, but otherwise works great. Biggest downside on the iPAD is trying to use it in much light, and concern about it getting wet. Also check out Ram Mounts for some nice mounting options. As someone else mentioned, have a Panasonic Tougbook CF-29 that literally will not die. Playing with a Panasonic CF-H2, great piece of kit, but not cheap.

I have this setup with iRegatta. Works well with the NMEA data from my NKE instruments, but gets checksum errors from the AIS, which originates inside the Digital Yacht unit. Weird, but maybe related to weak reception of the AIS signals. Next step is to check the VHF splitter.

 

[allene222]

I tested iRegatta's time to the line function and it was terrible. I suggested a new algorithm to the author and he implemented it. Works much better now in my preliminary testing. I am saying this so that people who gave up on can give it a second chance. I hope to try it in a race situation in the next couple of weeks and will write up the results on my web site. I would love to hear from others who have tried it since my algorithm was implemented (version 2.91 on June 3).

Allen

L-36.com

 

[Touch of Gray]

Worth Waiting For?

How much do ya suppose it'll cost? Lots of raves for a clay mock-up!

TOG

 

[billreilly]

Worth Waiting For?

How much do ya suppose it'll cost? Lots of raves for a clay mock-up!

TOG

The Microsoft Surface Pro (the full Windows 8 version) looks like it will be a great tablet... There are several others from various makers coming out later this year which should be equally as good... I'll probably wait for the Toshiba version of it as I've owned 6 Toshiba laptops (as well as a few other brands) over the years and I find them the best, especially in a marine environment...

Being able to install any Windows software makes the Windows 8 tablets a clear winner for me... just install OpenCPN (or Deckman, Expedition, etc.) and you're rolling...

Bill

PS - I watched the Microsoft Surface presentation the other night and they were showing operational prototypes, so it was more than a clay mock-up... they only have to wait a couple more months until Windows 8 is in production and Microsoft will start selling the the Windows RT version... The other Windows 8 tablet makers will hopefully have some available then as well...

 

[Distance]

I tested iRegatta's time to the line function and it was terrible. I suggested a new algorithm to the author and he implemented it. Works much better now in my preliminary testing. I am saying this so that people who gave up on can give it a second chance. I hope to try it in a race situation in the next couple of weeks and will write up the results on my web site. I would love to hear from others who have tried it since my algorithm was implemented (version 2.91 on June 3).

Allen

L-36.com

I'm using iRegatta 3.0 with my DMK Box and it is working very well for startline countdowns. I've taken some vids of us starting that I want to get up on U-tube soon to show how well it works. It takes some practice though as you need a rough idea of how fast you will get to the line once you pour on the gas.

 

[allene222]

I tested iRegatta's time to the line function and it was terrible. I suggested a new algorithm to the author and he implemented it. Works much better now in my preliminary testing. I am saying this so that people who gave up on can give it a second chance. I hope to try it in a race situation in the next couple of weeks and will write up the results on my web site. I would love to hear from others who have tried it since my algorithm was implemented (version 2.91 on June 3).

Allen

L-36.com

I'm using iRegatta 3.0 with my DMK Box and it is working very well for startline countdowns. I've taken some vids of us starting that I want to get up on U-tube soon to show how well it works. It takes some practice though as you need a rough idea of how fast you will get to the line once you pour on the gas.

Distance,

What are you using for your display device?

I did a race Tuesday with a Samsung Galaxy Tab-2 7 inch tablet and it was so hard to read the display that I somehow ended up with a bad set for the starting line that we didn't discover until we were in our sequence so it ended up being useless for our start. The most difficult things to read were the buttons for setting the pin and boat, both of which are rather low contrast to start with and the feedback is, as the Rolling Stones said, under your thumb. Or under your finger as the case may be. The point is, I could not tell if I had set the line or not even after multiple attempts and in the end apparently I had not. The good news is that we won the race anyway even though we were about 13 seconds late at the start (midline sag). We won by over 2 minutes so lots of margin.

Allen

 

[ProaSailor]

http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/21/meet-the-nuud-lifeproofs-new-waterproof-ultra-rugged-ipad-case/

http://www.lifeproof.com/shop/cases/ipad-2/

LifeProof has made a name for itself as a maker of super rugged iPhone cases that you can take in the ocean, to the beach, or even to the top of Mt. Everest. This thing can survive in some surprising environments. But today, the company has finally answered the call for a LifeProof iPad case, the Nuud. The case vacuums against the glass panel on the iPad so that there’s no front screen protector, allowing for the same tactile interaction we’ve all grown so fond of on Apple’ tablet.

 

[Pewit]

Along with mounting, what are people using for cases for their tablets? I have an ipad I'm looking to take on board for bermuda. In the past I've used the Aquapac series of cases with good luck, so tempted to go back to them. Any other recommendations? Something that is waterproof and easy to mount? Looking in the sub $100 range, no $400 Defender case.

I've used the soft pouch-type cases before which work OK if you are holding the unit in your hand as the screen visibility isn't good in bright sunlight.

However, I'm now looking at mounting an iPad on a bulkhead on a Flying Tiger (so we can run iRegattaand replace all the single-function devices with a $10 app!).

I have found the following Waterproof hard cases for the iPad Griifin Survivor, Otterbox Defender, Aryca Rock or Lifedge

I note that only the Lifedge has a bracket available as an accessory for mounting on a bulkhead and it's thin enough not get hooked by an errant sheet - whereas the others seem more bulky - although this does make charging/headphone ports available which may be an issue for cruisers.

 

[Distance]

I tested iRegatta's time to the line function and it was terrible. I suggested a new algorithm to the author and he implemented it. Works much better now in my preliminary testing. I am saying this so that people who gave up on can give it a second chance. I hope to try it in a race situation in the next couple of weeks and will write up the results on my web site. I would love to hear from others who have tried it since my algorithm was implemented (version 2.91 on June 3).

Allen

L-36.com

I'm using iRegatta 3.0 with my DMK Box and it is working very well for startline countdowns. I've taken some vids of us starting that I want to get up on U-tube soon to show how well it works. It takes some practice though as you need a rough idea of how fast you will get to the line once you pour on the gas.

Distance,

What are you using for your display device?

I did a race Tuesday with a Samsung Galaxy Tab-2 7 inch tablet and it was so hard to read the display that I somehow ended up with a bad set for the starting line that we didn't discover until we were in our sequence so it ended up being useless for our start. The most difficult things to read were the buttons for setting the pin and boat, both of which are rather low contrast to start with and the feedback is, as the Rolling Stones said, under your thumb. Or under your finger as the case may be. The point is, I could not tell if I had set the line or not even after multiple attempts and in the end apparently I had not. The good news is that we won the race anyway even though we were about 13 seconds late at the start (midline sag). We won by over 2 minutes so lots of margin.

Allen

Congratulations on the victory! I use an iPod touch. However it is not too sunny up here in Seattle lately. The biggest issue I had was making sure my fingers were warm enough to hit the timer on time. I was late and there is not a good way to reset the timer a minute short. However in general use iRegatta takes a little practice to use and as you know is only going to be one tool of many to help in your race. Attached is a video of two of our beercan starts this year. They weren't bad considering we started from more than a minute out and had pretty good timing on the line. This was not grand prix racing either though.

 

[allene222]

Congratulations on the victory! I use an iPod touch. However it is not too sunny up here in Seattle lately. The biggest issue I had was making sure my fingers were warm enough to hit the timer on time. I was late and there is not a good way to reset the timer a minute short. However in general use iRegatta takes a little practice to use and as you know is only going to be one tool of many to help in your race. Attached is a video of two of our beercan starts this year. They weren't bad considering we started from more than a minute out and had pretty good timing on the line. This was not grand prix racing either though.

You use an iPod touch. What do you use for the GPS and how does it talk to the touch?

 

[eric e]

at least where i am

the lenovo a1 seems to be the best bang for buck, quality name, 7inch android tablet with a true gps chip

http://www.mobiletec...d-A1-Tablet.htm

http://www.ebay.com/...k-/270866012637

but with the way things change i doubt i would buy a new tablet that wasn't at least android 4

the other day our 1st gen asus transformer updated itself to android 4.03 the lenovo won't do that

 

[Distance]

Congratulations on the victory! I use an iPod touch. However it is not too sunny up here in Seattle lately. The biggest issue I had was making sure my fingers were warm enough to hit the timer on time. I was late and there is not a good way to reset the timer a minute short. However in general use iRegatta takes a little practice to use and as you know is only going to be one tool of many to help in your race. Attached is a video of two of our beercan starts this year. They weren't bad considering we started from more than a minute out and had pretty good timing on the line. This was not grand prix racing either though.

You use an iPod touch. What do you use for the GPS and how does it talk to the touch?

I use it with the DMK Box and its GPS. It makes a wifi connection directly between the touch and my instruments. This way I have a rapid update GPS and the wind data tied in to make the most of the app. It's been cool to build the polars as well.