Marine GPS device for onshore use?

[JulesDive]

Hi!

Looking at the marine market for GPS , inside the cabins, where it’s dry with 12V power, iPads and similar tablets are dominant. Outside on deck, very expensive specialised units persist. Some of these devices are really expensive, but their screens can be read in full / bright midday sun.

I think there will be space for specialist GPS devices for travellers and tossers for two main reasons :

1) military spec robustness eg dust proof , water proof , shock , vibration resistant etc

2) screens that work with gloves and rain

Of course relative to smartphones , these specialist ( low volume production runs ) devices will be under powered in pure processing or memory terms. And hence appear expensive . But they won’t let you down in remote places where you need them.

Maybe the specialist units will have lower power consumption too … my backup gps unit for sailing has a simple black and white LCD screen for example.

Obviously all the issues with Nav 6 show that building such units is a specialist area / application. And that even experienced players can screw up when they try to cut corners.

JulesE.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

Once upon a time , there was the marine 276 series which morphed into the 278 series which a great deal of travellers used and relied on.
Then a massive time gap alas but due to public demand the 276Cx was born.
Works on water, land and in the air. Tough- reliable, standalone, buttons etc etc see specs on Garmin
It is still my favourite followed by the Montana 700.
No network data needed, or wifi, nor stealers data sites or cloud needed controlled by who knows etc etc
Isn't choice great?!

 

[Bigcats]

Hi!

Looking at the marine market for GPS , inside the cabins, where it’s dry with 12V power, iPads and similar tablets are dominant. Outside on deck, very expensive specialised units persist. Some of these devices are really expensive, but their screens can be read in full / bright midday sun.

I think there will be space for specialist GPS devices for travellers and tossers for two main reasons :

1) military spec robustness eg dust proof , water proof , shock , vibration resistant etc

2) screens that work with gloves and rain

Of course relative to smartphones , these specialist ( low volume production runs ) devices will be under powered in pure processing or memory terms. And hence appear expensive . But they won’t let you down in remote places where you need them.

Maybe the specialist units will have lower power consumption too … my backup gps unit for sailing has a simple black and white LCD screen for example.

Obviously all the issues with Nav 6 show that building such units is a specialist area / application. And that even experienced players can screw up when they try to cut corners.

JulesE.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I use to work for Raymarine and specifically on the head units you mention used for navigation of little sail boats up to massive private vessels.

I can tell you right now they argue over spending a few pence extra to put in a better quality GPS chip so please do not think they splurge out on the best!

The more expensive units just have better integration into the boats system so you can see more of the boats functions in one place or the integration of music systems and FLIR cameras (who now own Raymarine) etc.

They are all about making as much profit as they can over anything else so please be aware of that.

Raymarine also uses Android now so no different to using your phone (in fact a S24/25 and iPhone 14 etc will have better processors)

 

[steve hughes]

Isnt the marine stuff a mix of 12 and 24Volt ?

 

[JoeBiff]

Hi!

Looking at the marine market for GPS , inside the cabins, where it’s dry with 12V power, iPads and similar tablets are dominant. Outside on deck, very expensive specialised units persist. Some of these devices are really expensive, but their screens can be read in full / bright midday sun.

I think there will be space for specialist GPS devices for travellers and tossers for two main reasons :

1) military spec robustness eg dust proof , water proof , shock , vibration resistant etc

2) screens that work with gloves and rain

Is it just me, but I’m trying to work out the purpose of your post?
What’s your holy grail - hardware that will download open source data, or summit else?

You can get iPad protectors which are robust and weatherproof which I’ve used in a pro environment. It’s the software costs that are hefty, and especially integrating S-100 hydro charting into the kit. Battery life does become an issue (but not insurmountable) plus you need an AIS-feed (from somewhere).