You are looking at a pair of 18.5” Samsung Galaxy tablets, which we think are real game changers on the electronic front.
These giant tablets cost US $375 each on Amazon, and can be used to show the Maretron N2K data (above left) and the Simrad GoFree wifi app (above right). Both of these apps make use of the Samsung Galaxy touch screen capabilities. While we have been critical of some aspects of Simrad software, we do like their Go Free app–a lot.
You can also run very efficient tablet-type nav programs, like Navionics.
We’ve been using these tablets for a week now and are impressed. They are bright enough for daylight use, dim nicely in the dark, easily switch from standup to tabletop view, and work well to watch a movie or late basketball game in our bunk. We are going to fit some 24VDC to 19VDC power supplies, which will allow us to keep an eye on things without running the inverters.
A large ziplock would help if used in sub-optimal locations. We shall report further as we gain experience.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 17, 2017)
March 17th, 2017 at 2:18 pm
How are you supporting/mounting these underway?
March 21st, 2017 at 5:40 am
Hello Howard:
So far, we are not mounting them. Just setting them on the nav desk surface. Probably do something simple at a later date.
March 18th, 2017 at 6:36 pm
At less than 400 NITS this has less brightness than my cell phone – which is impossible to see in many sunlight situations.
The price is sure right for a shaded helm.
March 19th, 2017 at 5:27 am
Hi Kevin:
Both our Matrix deck and great room uses of the big Samsung tablet are covered in areas with large overhangs.
March 22nd, 2017 at 10:30 pm
Our music ministry at church started using two of these tablets a few weeks ago. The cost savings from not having to print so much music each week will eventually make them pay for themselves. Plus the pianist and organist actually like using them.