March 14, 2011 14:37
Kyle:
I use an iPad with internal GPS and iNavX as primary nav and a MacBook Pro with MacENC as a backup. For practical purposes, there is not much difference between the two software packages. Because I cruise in the US, the charts for both are free.
Neither is waterproof, so both must be protected from rain and spray. I turned the brightness control on the iPad to max, and it is plenty bright enough. The iPad internal GPS is adequate. It has problems getting a signal only if I position the iPad too close to the metal window frame, but once it is more than six inches away it has no problem getting a fix. I run both from ships power, so battery life is not relevant. My ten year old Raymarine chartplotter is only used as a radar screen. I never tried to connect either to the radar or AIS, as I prefer a separate screen.
I think you will be happy with either or both packages.
I use an iPad with internal GPS and iNavX as primary nav and a MacBook Pro with MacENC as a backup. For practical purposes, there is not much difference between the two software packages. Because I cruise in the US, the charts for both are free.
Neither is waterproof, so both must be protected from rain and spray. I turned the brightness control on the iPad to max, and it is plenty bright enough. The iPad internal GPS is adequate. It has problems getting a signal only if I position the iPad too close to the metal window frame, but once it is more than six inches away it has no problem getting a fix. I run both from ships power, so battery life is not relevant. My ten year old Raymarine chartplotter is only used as a radar screen. I never tried to connect either to the radar or AIS, as I prefer a separate screen.
I think you will be happy with either or both packages.