Home > Rugged Tablets > Marine Chartplotters vs Rugged Tablets
While dedicated marine chartplotters have long been the cornerstone of nautical navigation, tablets have emerged as a compelling alternative, offering a blend of affordability, versatility, and cutting-edge features. For boaters seeking a more affordable and multifunctional navigation solution, tablets present a compelling choice.
One of the primary advantages of tablets is their lower cost compared to traditional marine chartplotters. This makes them particularly attractive to boaters with basic navigation needs or those on a budget. While chartplotters can be expensive, especially for those with advanced features, rugged tablets offer a more accessible entry point into the world of marine navigation.
Tablets go far beyond mere navigation, serving as versatile devices capable of performing a wide range of tasks. From making calls and sending messages to accessing email, streaming movies, and listening to music, tablets offer a rich entertainment experience. For those who enjoy productivity on the water, tablets can also be used to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
By connecting these devices to your tablet, you can create a comprehensive and integrated marine navigation and entertainment system, enhancing your boating experience and ensuring a safer and more enjoyable journey. Marine Chartplotters once held an edge over tablets due to their marine-focused design and durability. However, advancements such as waterproof rugged tablets like SailProof have eliminated many of those advantages. Additionally, even power supply issues have been addressed through the use of waterproof ports.
Connect an AIS receiver to your tablet using Wi-Fi or NMEA 2000 to receive information about other vessels in the area, including their position, course, speed, and vessel type. This helps you avoid collisions and stay informed about nearby traffic.
Your tablet can connect to a boat's NMEA 2000 network using a compatible gateway, providing access to data from various marine instruments like GPS, depth sounders, and wind sensors.
Many modern chartplotters offer Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to sync charts, waypoints, and other navigation data between your tablet and the chartplotter.
Some marine radios offer Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to control them from your tablet. You can make distress calls, communicate with other vessels, and monitor marine channels.
If your boat has a satellite phone, you can often connect it to your tablet for easier communication, especially in remote areas.
With advancements in satellite internet technology, it's now possible to connect to the internet even in the middle of the ocean or along remote coastlines. This allows you to access weather forecasts, marine charts, navigation apps, and stay connected with friends and family.
Many marine audio systems have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to stream music from your tablet to your boat's speakers.
If your boat has a TV or monitor, you can connect your tablet to it using HDMI or wireless display technology to watch movies, videos, or live TV.
Connect your tablet to a marine camera to view live footage of your surroundings or record your boating adventures.
Connect various sensors to your tablet, such as temperature sensors, water quality sensors, or fuel level sensors, to monitor your boat's conditions.
Some autopilots can be controlled from a tablet, allowing you to set course, adjust steering parameters, and monitor the autopilot's status.
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