IPad nav app review

[SurryMark]

If you missed it, Practical Sailor (practical-sailor.com) reviews nav apps in the Feb '12 issue. Thorough job. They prefer iNavX.

[mike ritenour]

I installed the software about a month ago. Shoreside it looks good. I'm waiting till I can sail it next spring.

At the moment I'm looking for a waterproof case for the ipad.

Anyone have any suggestions?

thanks,
rit

[Jeff and Sarah]

The only real option I'm aware of other than a cheesy bag is Lifeproof. I have a lifeproof case for my iPhone and I love it. It is waterproof to 6' and I've had my phone in the water countless times. The iPad case has been long promised and it still not available though. The company allows preorders on their website but there is no definite release date yet.

Www.lifeproof.com

[Joe CD MS 300]

Until Apple comes up with a waterproof version of the iPad and a screen that is visible in sunlight I don't think it will work well as a primary chart plotter. Durability may be another issue. How many drops on to the cockpit floor can they survive?

As a backup it might work but I'd still prefer my handhelds. I have Navionics on both my iPhone and iPad but just use them for casual planning. Any serious route planning is still done on my PC before the trip and uploaded to the fixed mount and handhelds using Garmin's Mapsource. For use on a boat not being waterproof and viewable in sunlight are critical deficiencies.

[mike ritenour]

I agree.

ipads or any tablet and most smartphones, are not ready for the prime time in the cockpit.

However, I just read that the FAA has just recently approved the use of ipads in the cockpits of all commercial airliners. Seems the reduced # of paper docs required was also hampering cockpit efficiency and safety.

In addition, I read about a new nano waterproofing product that is coming on line very shortly and Apple might be the first to use it on their product line. The product is applied during manufacturing and makes the device it's used on totally submersible.

Throw in some of the new retina display contact lenses that DARPA has been testing and I don't doubt, that in a few years, we'll have a bio-flash drive insert on our body and be able to see the charts, over layed in our eyesight.

In the meantime, I'll continue to blow my money on new obsolete electronics gear, but still not forsaking my tried and true paper charts and sextant.

rit

[David VanDenburgh]

I like the "ALoksak" baggies I bought from Amazon. You can use the iPad through the bag, it's waterproof and quite tough.

[barfwinkle]

Anyone ever try one of these?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Griffin+Tec ... 8330050323

Fair Winds