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Tablet Talk©
Using Tablet Computers Onboard
Rick Edel, PhD
United States Power Squadrons® January, 2016
Copyright ©, 2016
Abstract of Tablet Talk
• Many boaters are now using iPads or other tablets, and smartphones as sources or backups for navigation - and for other boating information. In this seminar you will see many different apps demonstrated that cover the spectrum of those available.
• Some apps offer comprehensive navigation functionality, that is, chartplotter-like capability, others are simpler. – Some will offer integrated tides and currents, AIS, and other
utilities that are useful while underway.
• An Apple iPad will be the primary demonstration device. Whether you have a tablet already or are thinking of purchasing one, this talk will help you sort out what is available to you and how effective they are."
Copyright 2016 2
Today’s Emphasis
• A little about tablets – iPads and Others
• Navigation – GPS Chartplotter
• Tides and Currents
• Weather
• AIS
• Demo of Apps
Copyright 2016 3
Boating Apps
• What is an app?
– A computer application program that runs on tablets and smartphones
– Term now being used for laptop/desktop programs, too
• Usually designed for specific functions
• Inexpensive
• Easy to get and use
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Apple versus Android versus…
• Number of Apps – iTunes – Apple – >1.4 Million – Android – Google – 1.6 Million – Windows – Microsoft – >0.3 Million – Amazon – Amazon – >0.2 Million
• User preference prevails – Apple sells 2 out of three – Android catching up
• What device do you already have? • A competition at its finest • Not all apps are available on all platforms
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Apps Categories and Quantity
Copyright 2016 6
20 Categories Reported
Navigation
iTunes (Apple) Apps
• Over 1.4 Million
– Over 100 Billion downloaded by June 2015
– > 725,000 native to iPad
• Navigation is smallest category (= 1.2%)
– Includes Auto and Aircraft Nav.
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Apps for Boating Offer Many Subcategories
• GPS
• Charts and maps
• Tides and currents
• Weather
• Reference
• Rules
• Boating info
• Boating calculators
• General calculators
• Celestial navigation
• Magazines
• Manuals
• Astronomy
• Wikipedia
• States Info
• Online courses
• Knots, bends, hitches
• Repair References
• Trailering - Boat launching
• Wildlife tracking and identification
• Marine biology
• Inventory
• Clocks and timers
• Sailing
• Fishing
• First aid
• Recipes
• Forums
• Active Captain
• Trawler forum
• Panbo - Marine Electronics Hub
• Marina information
• VOIP telephone e.g. Skype
• Cameras
• Monitor Slave or Primary Copyright 2016 8
Two App Strategies
1. Free or low cost app (< $10) – In-app purchase or additional cost for charts,
etc.
– Updates may cost too
2. Moderate cost for app (≈ $50) – Free charts
– Options may be available at add’l cost
– Updates free or low cost
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Active Captain Newsletter #238 - October 22, 2014
It’s For Safety
1. “The iPad – It is the single best safety device you can have
onboard – It's a backup navigation system and a portable viewer into
hundreds of weather and information capabilities – It's an entertainment device and it'll connect you to your
friends, family, and the community of other boaters – When all the navigation electronics on our boat failed in
2011 (at night, offshore), it was the iPad that guided us and never missed a beat. A disconnected, backup navigation system with its own GPS is critical, in my opinion. The iPad provides all that, and more.”
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Apple’s iPad
• First successful tablet; > 300 Million sold • Is a real computer • Huge number of apps • When upgraded with cellphone option, has
internal GPS – Does not need cell connection for true GPS – Also has assisted GPS – AGPS
• Battery lasts 2-3 hrs with internal GPS – Can be charged while using
• Has 10” or 13+” high definition screen
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iPad and iPhone (iWatch)
• GPS-equipped model needed
– Or, after-market GPS must be added
– After-market adds WAAS – may extend battery life
• Accuracy
– Usually better than 40 feet
– More likely approx. 16 feet
• Dependence
– GPS-equipped tablets do not need cell tower connectivity
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Data Connectivity Options • GPS
– iPad Wi-Fi models need an external GPS source or device
– iPad cellular models often work best with an external GPS source as well (battery drain)
– Connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, connector plug • Bad Elf GPS (plug-in or Bluetooth), Dual Electronics (Bluetooth)
• Beware of iOS 8.3 Bluetooth bug
• Other marine instruments
– Bluetooth or Wi-Fi multi-function devices, gateways or multiplexers e.g. iMux, DMK
– Some chartplotters e.g. Raymarine, Simrad
• Remote services
– Network-based data feeds such as AIS, weather
– Require a connection to Internet
13
Bad Elf GPS
Dual Electronics
Bluetooth GPS
Comar NMEA-2-
Wi-Fi Converter
RN340 Serial
to Wi-Fi
Slide Content Courtesy of Milltech Marine
How Used For Navigation
1. Backup navigation
2. Primary navigation (usually not endorsed for)
3. Functionality 1. Hazard viewing and avoidance on e-charts
2. Follow boat over selected chart
3. Verify positions with ATONs / Landmarks
4. Pre-plan and save waypoints
5. Build routes from waypoints
Copyright 2016 14
Apple App Boating Display
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iPad Navigation Apps - A Sampler -
Copyright 2016 16 Credit: sailmagazine.com | Donald McLennan | June 18, 2014
Marine Navigation Apps • Lots of choices!
– iNavX, iSailor, SEAiq, Navionics, Garmin BlueChart, MaxSea TimeZero, Navimatics Charts & Tides, NavLink US
• May require two purchases: app and charts
– E.g. iNavX $49.99 + Navionics 2XG charts $54.99 (free NOAA)
– High quality charts available (Navionics, Garmin, NOAA, Transas)
• What can you do?
– Routes, waypoints, weather, tides & currents, monitor instruments
– AIS, ActiveCaptain, log, local information, geo-tagged photos
– Some allow integration with chartplotters e.g. Raymarine, Garmin, Simrad
17 Raymarine Viewer iNavX Nobeltec TimeZero
Garmin BlueChart
iSailor
Navionics + SonarPhone Slide Content Courtesy of Milltech Marine
Nav Apps Nice To Have Features
• Raster and Vector chart capability • Free or low cost chart updates • User choosable variables (speed, depth, distance, time,
estimates, …) • North up; heading up; course up choice • True or magnetic directions • Track mode • Waypoints and route manager • A to B ruler and protractor • Night mode • Seamless scrolling and zooming • Integration with Tides and Currents
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Other Uses While Boating
1. Tides and Currents on screen or lookup
2. Weather overlay or lookup*
3. AIS slave or cell data lookup*
4. Text communications device*
5. Voice (VOIP, e.g., Skype®) communications*
6. Rules of the Road
7. First Aid
8. Many more
* Will need data connection
Copyright 2016 19
Active Captain Newsletter #238 - October 22, 2014
It’s For Safety
6. “A smartphone - Android or iPhone – Get an iPad for a tablet because there are better
boating apps with larger screen support for iOS. – For a phone, it's pretty much a toss-up between
Android and iPhone today. Just get one of them because they provide too many useful features.
– They will be your chartplotter for the dinghy. – They're the voice communications centerpiece for
your boat as well as the backup internet connectivity via personal hotspot capabilities.
– Stop using that old flip phone or Blackberry. It's time to move on.”
Copyright 2016 20
Selectable Display Variables (Not in all Apps)
• Sometimes called Instruments or Widgets • More complete packages offer choices • Examples:
– iNavX • inavx.com
– Transas’ iSailor US • isailor.us
– Nobeltec TimeZero • app.nobeltec.com
– SEAiq • seaiq.com
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Copyright 2016 22
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Other device options
• Android tablets
– Low cost
– Some good apps e.g. Navionics, SeaPilot but fewer features
– Device connectivity can be a challenge
• Windows 10 tablets & PCs
– Dozens of Windows-based solutions
– Lots of connectivity options (USB, Wi-Fi)
– Rose Point Coastal Explorer works well
• Macs
– MacENC, GPSNavX, OpenCPN (free)
• Macs / PCs used as data server for iPad
24 Slide Content Courtesy of Milltech Marine
Android App Sampler January 2016
Breaking News: OpenCPN now available
Copyright 2016 26
Tides and Currents Apps
1. Check tides and currents pre-voyage – Especially important for sailboat and trawler
speeds
– And deeper draft vessels
2. Check tides and currents enroute
3. Check anchorage/safe-haven depth
4. Bridge Clearance
5. Today and future dates
6. Local and selectable sites
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Tide App Example
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Tide App Example
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Weather Apps
1. Pre-voyage forecasts and planning
2. Departure forecast and planning
3. Enroute observation comparison, forecasts, and planning
4. Download / display GRIB* data
* Gridded Binary – data format
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Weather App Example
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Weather App Example
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AIS
• Tablet as display of ‘real’ AIS receiver – No cell data connectivity needed
– VHF Radio with AIS or separate AIS receiver / transponder needed
– DEPENDABLE FOR SAFETY OF LIFE
• Cell Data tablet app as AIS substitute – Will need “cellular data” or WiFi connectivity
– NOT DEPENDABLE FOR SAFETY OF LIFE • May have a delay
• Usually passive
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Sample Configuration Vesper XB-8000, chartplotter and iPad
34
Vesper Marine
XB-8000 Class B
AIS Transponder
VHF to
transponder
GPS antenna iPad iNavX view
AIS data to
Chartplotter
via NMEA 0183
or NMEA 2000
AIS/GPS/NMEA
data to iPad
over Wi-Fi
Chartplotter
data to XB-8000
via NMEA 0183 or
NMEA 2000
Slide Content Courtesy of Milltech Marine
AIS within iNavX
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Cell Data AIS app from Marine Traffic
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Typical AIS Slave App
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Another AIS Solution
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Quality Cell Data AIS App
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Add’l Cell Data AIS Apps
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Other Tablet Uses
• Recently as RADAR display and control – Furuno
• Portable repeater to Chartplotters, RADARs, Depth Sounder/Fish Finders
• Display for systems data sensors (Signal K) – Engines – Bilge alarms – Battery / shorepower condition/state – Temperature, Humidity – More
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Radar Display and Control
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How to Connect - 1
Also will connect your AIS-enabled
VHF/DSC radio to your
iPhone/iPad
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How to Connect - 2
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How to Connect - 3
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Apps Are Personal
• Users need to experiment with several until finding the one(s) that fits their needs
• Apps function similarly no matter what the device or operating system is
• Most app developers look forward to feedback – feel free to contact them
Copyright 2016 48
Raymarine Free Repeater App
Copyright 2016 49
Nobeltec TimeZero App
Copyright 2016 50
Furuno iPad Repeater App
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Lowrance Repeater App
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Other considerations
Cases, mounts, power…
54
LifeProof case
& mount $$$
SeaSucker $$
Andres case with power & RAM mount $$$$
OtterBox & RAM mount $$
Slide Content Courtesy of Milltech Marine
My Tablet Page for Boating
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My Tablet Group for More Navigation
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My Tablet Group for Weather
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My Tablet Group for Stars and Time
Copyright 2016 58
Useful Links to App Reviews
• http://www.usps.org/national/eddept/misc/apps.htm
• http://www.panbo.com/archives/2010/05/the_damn_ipad_inavx_x-traverse_navimatics_ac.html
• http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/p/best-marine-charting-apps.html
• http://www.macsailing.net/fbb/showforum.php?fid/23/
• http://www.sailmagazine.com/diy/electronics/navigating-the-app-world/
• http://www.practical-sailor.com/
• http://www.nwboatinfo.com/Nautical-Apps.html
Copyright 2016 59
Acknowledgements
• Apple iTunes Store
• Google Play (Android App Store)
• United States Power Squadrons®
• Panbo
• Garmin
• Furuno
• Raymarine
• Nobeltec
• iNavX
• Lowrance (Navico®)
• Navionics
• SEAiq
• Polar Navy
• Sail Magazine
• Wikipedia
• DMK
• Digital Yacht
• Milltech Marine
• PassageMaker®
• i-Marine Apps
• MacSailing
• Practical-Sailor
• Statista
• Northwest Boating Information
Copyright 2016 60
Thank You! And Happy Boating!