Are there Marine apps for Tablets
 

I am trying to decide whether to buy a gps unit for the boat or are there good quality apps for tablets? I haven't bought either but it makes sense to get a tablet(Andriod or Ipad) not sure on which and then I can use it as double duty. Anyone have experience these apps? Are they dependant on cell signal or can you download the latest charts for the area you boat in? We boat mostly in the 1000 Islands, Ontario

Navionics on a droide is what I use. It works awesome. $10 for the app and I have the entire US. Im sure they have a Canada version too.

ive got the the navionics for my iphone it was 15 bucks and that covers all the lakes and coast of north america. u can download the charts so if you dont have cell/data access u can still view the charts. my lowrance chart plotter uses the same navionics charts which makes planning trips much easier

Looking at this for my I5 Sprint
 

Does this app only use cell signal to triangulate or does it use the phone's gps signal?

^^ Phone's GPS.

Thanks!

OK, idiot here. Where is this Navionics app? I typed it in my Apps on my Mac and in iTunes. Nothing pops up. A search of the web brings up $100 apps. Need a 'push here dummy' button.

Found it for you. Type in marine&lakes USA. It will come up. Navionics is the developer.

Thanks!

Hey Kragar. I use Navionics on a jailbroken Ipad and Iphone (free, including ALL charts). Charts are stored locally on the device, so you don't require data or Wi-Fi on the go. You need the top Ipad though (for real GPS).

Works very well. Only issue can be glare, and heat. An anti-glare waterproof case and mount would be the ticket.

We also use the Ipad as a TV for a bunch of movies (MP4s) in the cuddy at night, plumbed through the boat's stereo. All my Merc service manuals are on there too. And of course you can surf on it.

Can't see buying a chartplotter for any reason (for recreational boating).

Don`t know if this was answered but would the GPS/ app work without a data plan?
The Galaxy II tablet is under $200 and if it does I`m in.

I believe you can download the maps but you can only be in real time if you have cell service and use your smart phone as a wieless hotspot.

My Navionics on my old smart phone is still working, so I would say Yes. Any time you wanted to up date the map just use internet Wi-fi to download the map.

Not sure what you mean about real time.... If you mean running Navionics with real-time GPS positioning etc., you do NOT need cell or Wi-Fi service. The charts were pre-loaded on your device previously using one of those methods. Only if you suddenly required a new chart, would you require that. But that would never really happen, as you might as well download all charts for your boating areas. Like I said, if it's jailbroken, they're free anyways.

I run it on my old Iphone 3 (no data) and my Ipad 3g (no data either). The 3g Ipad is required, because it is the only Ipad they make with a real GPS receiver built in (none of this "assisted GPS" b.s.) They both work great, but the Ipad is faster. The phone is actually a nice size for the helm though, and I use it more often.

Brings me home safely in total darkness!