I have started taking my I-Pad on the boat with an external Hot-Spot. This is a great way to always have fast access to Google Earth, Weatherbug or any of the other features. I was just curious as to how many others are or have been doing this. I'm 61 and hate computers so all my family thinks this neat that I'm stepping into the 21st century.

Heard of some the pro's doing that also. We are taking the grandson to the Skeeter owners tournament this year. This will be his first tournament . I suggested taking his I-pad and the ole wicked one seems to think the direct sunlight on it is bad for it. Don't know if that is true or if she is just living up to her reputation.
It sounds like a good idea to me.

Lots of pros do it as well as I do sometimes. Useful for music on the boat, navionics apps, weather, live radar, etc. Look into the Lifeproof case for it to make it waterproof as well as the jacket they make for it to float. Sunlight would not affect it.

I have had the same iPad for 4 years with not a scratch on it. Decide to take it with me on a tournement for use of an app I have on it. My buddy steps on it and cracks the screen. Man I was psssd. Still take it with me now but make sure it's where it can't get damaged.

Leave the iphone in the sun for more than an hour or two and it will overheat so I imagine an ipad would do the same. Be sure to keep it in a shady spot when not in use.

so will a Dell tablet.

iPad came in handy last years Skeeter tournament when the Storm ( lightning ) came in on Sunday AM. I was able to see the weather radar in real time.

In addition, you can purchase a set of Bluetooth speakers to hear the hourly updates or Music if you don't have a Stereo/Radio on the boat. ( just be careful of using up your data plan with music if you're listening online ).

I always take iPad in boat. Just don't leave it sitting out. I lost my old iPad 1 when punching a wave on Lewisville. It is in about 70 ft.

get a lifeproof case.

I use a big ziplock with my tablet. You can make it stick to the screen with static I guess. Waterproof and dont cost nothing. I have the navionics app, which is OK at best for android. Ipad has a better Navionics. The ziplock works great tbough

I use navionics on my Ipad every trip. Awesome app for someone who doesnt have the ability to spend 500-1000 for a nice hummingbird or lowrance unit. Yes it will overheat and go into cooldown mode if left in direct light for to long.

What's an I-Pad?

A cheap waterproof container that floats is a zip lock bag with some plastic bubble packing foam cut to fit into the zip lock bag. I use this for my iPhone. Should work for an I-pad also.

I took my lap top one night to watch DVD's while crappie fishing under a bridge. Those birds that make the funny mud nests under the bridges crapped all over it. Never again.

We take ours out when I take the kids, keeps them busy while I am searching for fish, granted we have a fish and ski I feel ok with them bringing it knowing it will stay in the boat