My cheap version of GPS and lake maps for the boat

[Junior58er]

I spent enough lately on boating/fishing crap including the boat itself. I downloaded the Navionics app onto my 7" Samsung Galaxy tab which I have already had for a while with Verizon service (GPS) before the boat. Purchased a RAM mount for it. Pretty decent for $65 I suppose. Works great on Lake St. Clair. It's no $2000 chart plotter but still gives me the info I desire. Can still mark waypoints and mark fishing spots with info. I know plenty have the apps on their smart phones but anyone else using a tablet/Ipad on their boat in a similar manner?

[Liquid Metal]

very good. I was just looking at the same thing for my upgrade.I need to up grade to a smart phone and was thiking the same thing- use it on the boat for mapping. I would like to get a new Hummin bird but can not get navionics on birds and lake maps does not offer maps of my area.

[Junior58er]

Like I said, it works great but I also know it's not something that I'd navigate on the ocean with. The other nice thing about the Tab is the quick ability to minimize the Navionics and pull up the weather real quick or even use the U.S. Tow app and text for help in a boating emergency. Great for popping out of the holder and shooting video of that fish being caught.

[muskyhunter47]

Originally Posted by Liquid Metal

very good. I was just looking at the same thing for my upgrade.I need to up grade to a smart phone and was thiking the same thing- use it on the boat for mapping. I would like to get a new Hummin bird but can not get navionics on birds and lake maps does not offer maps of my area.

i just bought the navionics north chip for my birds.Has 5 states on it what birds are you running that wont run the navionics chip???

[babyranger617]

awesome idea! but what happens if it rains?

[tugger]

How is the screen visibility in the sun with that puppy?

[tythepilot]

I do the same thing with my Ipad, sucks in the sunlight and with polarized glasses on, but I agree with you, better than spending $2k+ on other electronics, I use my iPad every day for work, music, etc.

[poeschel1]

Originally Posted by babyranger617

awesome idea! but what happens if it rains?

I purchased a waterproof floating case for mine...

http://www.ipad-waterproof-case.com/

That said... Hard to see in the direct sunlight.

[popi]

poeschel, did you use a ram mount with that case on your i pad?if so which model? looks like a great case for the price. thanks

[poeschel1]

I haven't purchased a mount yet... Need to do some research before I buy...