Smart Pad Mounts

[Mike Boitnott]

With all the new technologies and tools available, how many of you guys and gals are using Smart Pads in your boats?  If so what types of mounts are you using?

[Scott F]

If you are talking about tablet computers like an iPad, I don’t use mine in the boat. First, I can’t read the screen in bright sunlight. Second, it isn’t waterproof. Third, many of the remote areas I fish have poor to no cell coverage. And fourth, my Garmin depthfinders provide great mapping, screens that I can see in bright sun, and are waterproof. 

[Mike Boitnott]

I agree they are hard to read in the sunlight, reception is a concern.  I have just been hearing more and more people talking about using them.  Even some of the fish finders and plotters advertise that you can view the screen from a smart pad, iPad in my case.  I think the same as you do Scott, just wondering what the people that are using them see as an advantage.  I'm hearing more and more people doing it, what is the advantage and how are they overcoming some of the obstacles that you have pointed out.  

[looking45]

Getting the iPad wet would be my major concern.

[gnappi]

I think cell phones and tablets are a less than wonderful solution. Aside from their visual and coverage shortcomings the fact is that decent stand alone GPS and FF's are not going to break most banks but getting a decent phone sopping wet, stepped on or lost overboard just may ?

 

My mom used to say... "Just because a thing CAN be done, doesn't mean a thing SHOULD be done" Personal electronics used in lieu of marine electronics to me at least fit that quote 110%. Of course YMMV. 

 

 

[Tennessee Boy]

I sometimes use my iPad on the boat.  I can use the Humminbird FishSmart app and it gives me the same maps that are on my two Humminbird Solix.  The thing cost $800 and it displays, zooms, and rotates the maps much faster than a $2,300 Solix.  It's great to be able to have a dedicated map screen at the console so I can use the full Solix screen for viewing sonar images.  I download the maps in advance so cell coverage is not an issue.  I don't use it if it's raining or very hot.  The maximum recommended operating temperature for the iPad is only 95 degrees.  I don't use it very offen,  maybe one in ten outings when I know I want to do a lot of scanning.  I don't have a mount for it.  I hold it or put it on the floor in the shade under the console.  I'm just using it to guide the boat to the structure that I want to scan.  When I don't have it with me,  I use the Solix in the front of the boat for mapping which is hard to see or I use a split screen which reduces the resolution of the sonar viewing area.

 

If I had a new iPad,  I might be a little reluctant to take it on the water.