A cheap gps back up!
Well with my PC plotter system going bust on me over Christmas ( and now just been fixed), I decided to find a back up system that could be used and not cost the earth.
Well to my surprise, I have found that the Telstra T-Touch-Tablet has a built in GPS reciever and after downloading Navionics Android powered charts ( whole of Australia) for only 9 Euro, I had a 7inch screen GPS system.
charts are very clear and with the high definition screen on the T-Tab, was a pleasure to use last night coming back from Skyworks to Ascot Marina. My present charts on my normal GPS system do not cover the river after the Causeway Bridge, where as the Navionics Android downlod did cover all the way up to Guildford.
Function is basic tracking and gives you a bearing indicator to show your direction, but works well and very accurate in fact. No "goto" or other functions, but for 9 Euro what do you expect.
As for the T-Tab, we got 4 hours on it, including doing facebook, navigating and browsing the web during the day, then ran it on a 12V ciggie charger for the evening.
At $299 on a pay as you go package, it's a dam good buy when seen as a marine & land GPS back-up, mobile phone, web tablet and more with a camera etc built in.
With my new Furuno plotter coming soon, I am thinking of tossing out the whole PC based system I have and keeping the Android tablet as the back up for river work, as the chart is bloody great on the Swan.
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
.thumbnail.jpg "Goodenough Bay")
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Its the same package that has
Its the same package that has been discussed as Navionics Marine Australia for iPhone.
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
I think it's the same package
I think it's the same package as the IPhone one, just a bit easier to use on the large Android tablet screens.
Not sure if the IPad has a gps function or just uses the 3G connection to cross reference by signal repaters it's position.
The T-Tab has a fully functional GPS and with the Garmin Free app it works as dam good road / car GPS, with a small upgrade fee to get the full nav functions of a full Garmin car package as well.
I just could not justify the cost of the IPhone or IPad for use as a toy and gps, so went the Android based tablet route.
I know the Samsung Gallaxy is pretty good as well by reports, but not tried it yet.
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Some versions of the ipad
Some versions of the ipad have a gps, some use network triangulation, where available.
mrwinta
Posts: 457
Date Joined: 14/01/10
Hi Tony, the T-Tab sounds
Hi Tony, the T-Tab sounds really good and as you say at $299 its really cheap too... Does it have an external ariel port or can you get a patch lead to improve the signal in remote areas or off shore?
NEVER PUSH YOUR GRANNY WHEN SHE'S SHAVING
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
no external arial or port for
no external arial or port for it. It does have micro usb and external power jack,
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)