Tablets for Marine Navigation: iPad, Samsung or Both?
We have looked at the iPad and its use as a marine navigation instrument. We have discussed its functionality, available apps, relevant hardware and compared it to traditional charplotters. Now, we’re going to take a look at Android devices.
Apple vs. Android is kind a Ford vs. Chevy thing. People prefer what they prefer. There’s no right or wrong, but let’s see how the tech holds up under harsher scrutiny.
A Closer Look
Looking at tech reviews, iPad consistently scores at the top and many Android tablets including the Samsung Galaxy received positive reviews. iPad dominates the tablet market with about 40% market share.
If we compare standard iPad specs with the Samsung Galaxy, there are minor differences but overall both possess the ability to operate marine navigation apps.
We have previously identified how essential built in satellite navigation systems are for marine navigation to be functional at sea. The built-in system in iPad only has the ability to connect to GPS (American) and GLONASS (Russian) satellite navigation systems but the Samsung Galaxy can connect to GPS, GLONASS and BDS (Chinese) satellite navigation systems. An external satellite navigation receiver is recommended for both tablets for assured connectivity.
Both tablets can download and run sophisticated apps, although every app downloaded from iTunes has been tested by Apple for potential malware while Google Play doesn’t provide such assured protection. Another feature unique to Android is that many of its devices have the added benefit of direct USB connection and external memory ports.
Navigating With a Tablet
When considering a tablet’s use in marine navigation we need to review all the factors that make one viable as a marine-navigation instrument. There are many products that offer the same sort of protection and mounting for Android tablets that we previously identified for iPad, although there is a wider range of options available for iPad.
There are many marine-navigation apps available for each tablet. Among the most popular are iNavX, Garmin Activecaptain, Navionics, Transas iSailor, Garmin Helm and MX Mariner to name a few. Although there are navigation apps available for both, iPad does have the advantage of supporting a wider range of apps.
Regardless of which tablet and app are chosen, a captain should ask which features are the most important and closely look at the app that best suits his or her needs. For redundancy, we recommend that all mariners carry and know how to use paper charts in the event of technical failure.