When we were building Wind Horse we could not find an acceptable solution to having navigation data on the flying bridge. A 10″/250mm weather resistant monitor was close to $4000. So we decided to wait until technology came up with a better answer. We didn’t expect to wait six years, but now that we are equipped with an Ipad 2 we can say the wait has been worthwhile.
We use the Ipad as a moving chart display. It sits just ahead of the console on the flying bridge table.
The display works well in bright daylight, albeit under the awning. Equally important, you can read it with polarized sunglasses as long as the Ipad is oriented horizontally. This photo, and the one below, were taken using a polarizing lens on the camera to emulate what we are seeing with sunglasses.
We are also using the Ipad as a second moving chart display at the inside nav station with both INAVX and Navionics programs. Neither would be our choice for a stand alone system, but in the fashion they are employed, they are fine.
As time goes on we are going to look into repeating some of the NMEA data with a wifi signal on the Ipad. That would be helpful, indeed.
Suggestions by SetSailors for software options would be appreciated.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 27, 2011)
May 28th, 2011 at 12:49 am
If your Navigation software is running on a Mac or PC, try using a remote desktop application, such as Splashtop.
See http://blog.peregrinesea.com/2011/05/marine-ipad.html
You could even put the ipad in a waterproof pouch: http://www.nauticexpo.com/tab/ipad.html
May 28th, 2011 at 3:41 am
I suggest a p. c. in the pilot house and a ruggedized tablet p. c. on the flying bridge. Networked. The network to be wired, not WLAN. The tablet to be an iX104C4AX AllVue Xtreme or similar. The software to be the latest version of Coastal Explorer.
May 28th, 2011 at 6:45 am
Ive just installed the Brookhouse iMux for use with iNavx on the iPad. It works a charm. I installed it with a breaker to kill the power separately from my instruments as I was worried about the radio interference with pactor traffic on the SSB.
One really nice aspect is being able to check depth, wind speed/direction from the bunk when at anchor.
Another nice little app for the iPad is weather4d it renders and animates gribs beautifully. The interface is well executed.
May 29th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Steve,
I am glad that you finally went for it. I have used mine now for two years and don’t think I would want to travel without it. As Carl says you can check out all the essentials from your bunk which is nice when someone else is on duty.
Enjoy and let me know if you discover any more tricks with it.
May 29th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
I second the Brookhouse iMux. I have the ST version connected to speed, wind, depth, and GPS. it’s trivial to hook it up to AIS as well. iNavx is kind enough to display all of this stuff on the main screen (and plot AIS enabled ships on your chart too). We have his and hers ipads loaded up with the charts. This provides redundancy while simultaneously letting us update Facebook side by side 😉
We put some 1″ Velcro on the back of the iPad and have the hook tape (about a 6″ strip) in strategic locations around the boat. One such place is the overhead in our berth. With that I can lie in bed and see the wind speed, and current speed as well as check my anchor alarm, all without having to get up. Of course I sometimes watch movies too.
All in all I would say that the iPads are one of the most versatile tools on the boat.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I just published a description of my experience attaching a GPS to the IPad by wifi. A bit more fun than I expected – but it works! The Marine IPad – Making the GPS Connection – http://blog.peregrinesea.com/2011/05/marine-ipad-making-gps-connection.html