Smart Phone vs Tablet Whats your choice?

[hardee]

I like the size of the tablet, and if the android aps for it are the same as the ones for the phone (Navionics) then the tablet seems like the better choice, because of the size, if the work on the tablet screen. I am looking at Android, (sorry Pat), and for the phone, Verizon. So some basic questions foe a real newbie in this arena.

I understand that the pads, or tablets do not need to be "hooked" to a phone service, ATT, Verizon, Comcast, etc. Am I out to lunch here or can this work? I am looking to use this as a back up navigation device, and sometimes there isn't cell service where I am, (or I don't want it on, like running on the edges of Canada, for instance.)

Do you need a phone to "tether" the tablet in order to get internet? If so, then maybe the phone is enough.

Is the phone screen big enough to use (practically) for a back up to the plotter on board?

OK, enough with the run on questions. I'm wanting to hear practical advice from real users, cause everyplace I have been looking or asking they are trying to sell me a phone or tablet.

Thanks all for your input.

Curious how many folks look at this site on a phone or tablet, and how dies it compare to a PC or laptop screen.

Thanks,

Harvey
SleepyC

[breausaw]

I have a Motorola Xoom 32g Wifi, love it. Built in real GPS, Duel processer, Android driven, HDMI jack, Micro USB port, expandable to 64g with micro mem card, and it will run for 9 hours. Same size as the Ipad, and just as costly. What I like about android driven devices is the architecture is vastly more open and mostly nonproprietary compared to Apple devices.

Don’t own a smart phone, don’t have the need.

I know a lot of folks that have an Ipad, Iphone, Ithis, Ithat, and they love them.

Thought this was a boating forum.

My 2 cents.

[colobear]

Harv,

Our Ipad and our Android phone are relatively important components of our boating gear. We have a Motorola Droid 2 phone with Navionics apps and have found it extremely useful. It was a primary nav device for part of our Lake Powell trip. We just bought the Ipad 2 a couple of months ago and are still learning about it. We got the 32gig WiFi only version and doing it over I'd get the 32gig 3g version because the 3g apparently has a built in GPS that does not need to have a cellphone signal. (Check that carefully.) We ended up doing a workaround by getting a stand alone GPS puck that allows our wi fi only to function as a nav device with Navionics charts loaded. I looked carefully at the Motorola Xoom and the Asus and was very close to buying one when I decided that they were working very hard to be like an Ipad so why not just get the Ipad. I'm sure that either one would be perfectly suitable.

[thataway]

We have a 3g I pad one and an i phone 4S. Both of these have real GPS chips, and do not depend on cell towers for accurate GPS position.

The I pad is big enough to use as plotter and works well. many applications share between the i pad and i phone. I prefer to stay with one system (also use an apple Air).

We are very happy with the apple systems--and they seem very stable. You do not have to have cellular service, or even be signed up for cellular service to get good GpS accuracy anywhere. You can download the specific charts you need ahead of time. You can also use active Captain in one of several applications.

Personal feeling is that i phone is too small, but can be used as a back up. On the other hand, you don't want a phone to be any larger.

[tpbrady]

My cut is that you need both. A tablet doesn't do things a phone does and a phone doesn't do things a tablet does. The real question is can a tablet replace a notebook. My answer to that is not yet but it is real close. My big complaint about IPhones/IPads and Android phones/tablets is that the ability to move files between devices other than photos, videos, and music is very convoluted and requires third party apps.

[thataway]

I wonder if using the "cloud" does not allow rapid movement of files? Seems as if it will with any of these devices.

For me the I pad does not give me the flexibility of a computer such as Mac Book Air in dealing with photos--but the i pad is better for charts.

[hardee]

Since one of the major reasons I am looking at either the tablet or smart phone is to have charting backup on the boat, I'm curious if the Android Navionics for the phones works on the tablets too. The possibilities seem endless, and not being a techie, I am looking to not screw up too bad on the first move beyond the can and wire phone I'm using now.

I am liking the phone for it's portability, but have not actually seen Navionics on it to see how realistic it is to expect it to be a reasonable backup.

A 3-4G smart phone, with built in GPS, should give me GPS function anywhere right? So will an android tablet, do the same? (Apparently they are not all equal.) How about off somewhere on the west coat of Vancouver Island, or even in the S Juans where there is unreliable cell service?

Jay, my apologies, but maybe my choice could be classified as a boating accessory?

Harvey
SleepyC

[tpbrady]

Harvey,

I am running the Navionics App on a Motorola Xoom so the answer is correct, it would seem to run on both but it may be different versions since the typical Android OS for a phone is not the same as the Xoom at this point.

[colobear]

Harv,
We have run Navionics charts on our android phone for about two years with much success. The two issues are: the chart shows the boat and tracks just as your Raymarine does, but...when you travel off the display it is up to you to scroll to keep the boat on the screen, a minor issue but irritating when you forget; I have my phone set to dim the screen after a few minutes and unless I pay attention I may look up and find a black screen, again, an annoyance but no big deal. You can change the setting to keep the screen lit. And, it is a good idea to keep your phone plugged in while using it for navigation since you are using a lot of power. We have not had the iPad on the boat yet so can't comment there.












t

[JamesTXSD]

We have used the iPad, a Droid, and an iPhone on the boat... I certainly consider them "boat accessories", but not something everyone HAS to have.

Now, smart phone vs tablet? My answer would be... yes! I had the Droid before the iPad came out. When we got an iPad (when they first came out), I said, "If I had known how versatile the iPad would be, I probably wouldn't have needed a smart phone. Two years later... I like 'em both. They do similar things, but each has an important place in our communications arsenal. Our 3G iPad has never been connected to AT&T (the only carrier with the iPad at the time, and we are definite Verizon users), but it has been used for navigation all over. The Navionics apps are what we use. It took Navionics a bit longer to come out with the nav app for the Droid, but we also bought that early on... a chartplotter in your pocket for less than the cost of a couple paper charts. Tide charts. Weather. And the ability to connect to the internet, check e-mail, do on-line banking, and have a myriad of great travel apps.

As I've mentioned before, we dumped our land lines, DSL, and cable modem years ago. For 6 years, we used a wireless card, then a Mifi card, and now use the Droid as our hot spot, connecting our laptops, the iPad, wireless printer, etc. Both the phones (Droid and iPhone - we have a mixed marriage) and the iPad get used every day... even if we don't make a phone call.

Start with one, and you will see the use for the other. There are times when the iPad is too big (like car navigation), and the phones too small (like web surfing). But, you can make either work. The main difference with the phones is the fact that we always have them with us. We almost never use all the minutes from our small phone plan, but we eat up a lot of data these days.

You could make yourself crazy with "which one?" and "what if I make the wrong choice??". Get one and get comfortable with it... the more you use it, the more uses you will find for either device.

Best wishes,
Jim

[hardee]

Good advice Jim, and that is about where I am at. There are times when I am nervous about changing carriers. I have had the same service for 14 years, and they have treated me pretty well (ATT) but times have changed and I am using more time now talking over the fence now so need to go through the gate.

What is the best way to know if the device has an onboard GPS? Looks like several of the tablets I looked at do not, but use a triangulation from cell tower method instead. Then just for kicks, the Razr Maxx has 3 or 4 different GPS systems available. Wouldn't you know it would be this much fun?

Harvey
SleepyC

[jstates]

Several probably disconnected points:
1. Navionics on their web site - fine print indicates their GPS charting software is more accurate on Android than Iphone - no reason provided but my guess is Iphone wants to use GPS + phone towers and Apple guards their interfaces carefully.

2. Absolutely be sure GPS is on board - built in and not subject to some activation/maintenance fee. [Apple advertised for a while aGPS on the wireless Ipad that did not have cellular connection] [I called and confirmed then discovered the ipad gift i purchased did not have real GPS] We already pay for GPS satellites thru our taxes. Buy the charts and you should be set.

3. Phone tower triangulation GPS is not really GPS but A-GPS or assisted GPS and in my area very inaccurate by 1000 meters or so. -So I turn it off - as the onboard Navionics charts [downloaded when in good wifi area and stored on Micro SD card] are very accurate with just GPS [no towers needed] - Be sure for marine or wilderness purposes your charts or maps [land] are on board your device and do not require internet once downloaded.

4. When carrier and OS matters to me:
At or near the US border ie Succia island. I wanted to use ATT-Iphone GPS but phone has to be on, and it picks up Canadian towers when still in US potentially generating international data roaming charges. With Sprint Android HTC EvO, just turn on or off any of the several transmitters/receivers that are on board using system controls. Can turn off everything but the GPS if you want.

5. Future: New chart plotters are talking to, mirroring and eventually will likely have two way links w smart phone, tablets:
the Raymarine E7 can accept route from Navionics on Iphone and I think now Android. It will allow you to mirror the chart plotter using the E7 wifi or bluetooth that is built in. Garmin is also starting this.

6. Read the Panbo forum about Marine electronics - as at this stage of partial development Android or Iphone may be the OS that does something else you want. for example Iphone talks to Navimatics software, or I really like that my Android phone can be used as an Iridium polar satellite phone for text messaging when connected via on board blue tooth to the Delorme inReach personal locator beacon [that functions w/o android as full PLB] [subscription required.] This is truly an amazing deal - txt messaging for fun or to clarify an emergency using your android phone -+ bluetooth to inReach to Iridium satellite system.
7.
If you plan any upgrades to chart plotters, check out how they will talk to your smartphone /tablet

8. I plan to use Android EVO for phone this summer it works better in a water proof case than any onboard GPS I have used [but still maintain]. Its my choice when coming into a rock strewn harbor {Thetis Island area]. I will add Tablet this summer before going N for the bigger view.

9. I am not a sail racer just a beginning sailor that cruises but I have been reading that the big time racers are using a tablet in waterproof case, on lanyard around their neck [dangerous perhaps] to see the boat stats, from onboard wireless devices:
SOG, COG, wind speed, + charting, and can also have full instrument panel in digital display for fuel, engine rpm etc when they are not racing.

10. Navionics at the S Boat SHow gave out brochures, offering free PC or Mac based charts [not GPS enabled] w purchase of any new chart chip for Multi-function display. That system is to download to on board chart plotter - haven't figured out how w some on board chart plotters like E-7.

11. On Android check out these free software - probably similar available on IPhone: Anchor watch, Marine traffic - like AIS - very close to real time in my tests in central puget sound. -[requires data connection] GPS status for sending your location via text - cheaper on sprint than voice. Currents is one on my most used apps for route planning that is tied to tide and current changes. [requires data connection]

12. Phone or tablet - Phone now, adding table for better view of charts this summer - they each have their value.

13. Not interested in starting an OS war, and I don't have any connection to Android, Apple or Sprint except as a paying customer.

Have fun
Jim
On Endurance

[Morning Star]

I use both an iPhone and an iPad on board. I use the iPad to run Navmatics charts (with integrated Active Captain). I use the iPad for small scale situation awareness while running a large scale on my Garmin plotter as primary navigation (the Garmin is a smaller screen). I, too, would not have a device without a built-in GPS (can't have too many GPSs). The iPad GPS operates without wifi or cellular data enabled. Turn off cellular data in Settings and the problem with connecting to Canadian towers will be eliminated. The accuracy of the navigation is affected, but in my experience the GPS alone is still adequate for my use case.

I also run an app called Hi Def Radar for near real time weather radar overlaid on Google satellite map with own-ship tracking. Really, the iPad is my computer of choice on board.

I use the iPhone for complementing features such as anchor watch (Drag Queen from Active Captain), streaming music on Pandora or playing music from my library, searching/browsing without taking down the Nav on the iPad, and of course communications. I agree that they are both accessories, not necessities, but I rarely leave port without either of them.

[REBEMUP]

I received my new iPad 3 with 64GB of storage and 4G LTE Verizon service. The GPS reception is better than my iPhone 4, as in faster to connect and holds the signal in more difficult places including my basement where the phone will not connect. The new quad processor is VERY fast and runs Navionics much more quickly than the iPhone. My download and upload on 4G LTE is nearly 10 times faster than my DSL line as I am getting around 20 mbits second up and down.

But I still want my dedicated Garmin....and my iPhone...and now my iPad when I go out. Maybe this is overkill?

Ron

P.S. I still often steer via my old compass! Just seems so right.

[hardee]

This is really good information here. Lots more to think about. JimS, thanks for the really specific things to look for.

There is much to be aware of, I am learning so I really appreciate each bit of info. Thanks so much and you can keep it coming.

Harvey
SleepyC