Thinking of ram mounting an iPad on my consol for mapping using the navionics app. Anyone tried this? Looks interesting and alot cheaper than another unit.

I considered this , but with no way to communicate waypoints with the other units... it becomes a little pointless. IMO

I don't have one mounted but I have taken a tablet with me before and it worked for me. I don't have waypoints to use, so that part didn't bother me. I would be sure to get a waterproof case, like a Lifeproof, if you plan to have it mounted.

I can't communicate waypoints now either. Just figured it would be a way to get a dedicated mapping unit for a lot less. Can't justify spending 1200 on a new unit right now. Do you have seeing the screen in the sunlight? Seem like that might be the only downside to it.

This. I almost pulled the trigger on my old boat and did that but it's not really worth it. I'll occasionally use my phone.

If you�re not worried about waypoints, then it�s a good option. It works well. You don�t even need internet connection while on the water. You download the maps at home and then they�re viewable offline, using the GPS signal only while on the water.

I do this. It works good. I fabbed up a piece of aluminum that mounts to the ram mount for my Hummindird unit to mount the iPad ram mount too.

I use an ipad and really the only time I have trouble seeing it is when the sun is straight above and I am wearing polarized glasses. 95% of the time its not a problem.

The biggest problem with mine is the ipad doesn't know which direction you're facing unless you're moving at a decent speed. So if you are trying to slowly move along a contour or the edge of a flat or whatever you just have to watch the little icon to tell if you're heading in the right direction.

Pretty good idea I think. I use Navionics on my phone mainly and this would make it even easier

I use my tablet with the Navionics app and look at different areas of the lake I want to fish while sitting here at the office and simply drop pins on points of interest.

Once on the water I go to the dropped pins and fish and if it turns out to be a good spot, I then mark it as a waypoint on my HDS and Helix graphs. This way I don't clutter up my graphs.

The app also has water level adjustment and shading for a lot less than the $99 card renewal.

ProGator, what mount do you use for the ipad? I was thinking of getting the tab tight I think but didn't know how solid it is.

Also does anyone us a tablet besides iPad? Thinking of getting a nexus 7 since its cheaper and if I break it I'm not out a ton of money.

That's what I use and it is solid. Never had it slip out even after shaking it around purposely trying to see if I could get it to come out. Only problem is the power button on the top of the ipad is kind of hard to get to. I have it set so that the screen doesn't time out so if I want to put it in sleep mode to conserve battery its a bit of a pain to get to.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/12337849/1
Here is a good thread on this topic by the way. Apparently the androids have built in GPS. On the ipads you have to have it connected to your cell service to get GPS or use your cell phone to create a hotspot and connect it that way.