Iphone flir

Being the cynic I am...

Gee, I can't wait for people to be boating at night with their iPhones in front of their faces...NOT! :-)

I'm not sold on this iPhone/iPad used in the marine environment anyway. I have yet to see a mobile device with a daylight readable screen, especially with polarized glasses on. I agree it's nice to check Active Captain and such, but not from the helm. Also, cellular signal isn't everywhere and I've personally seen such devices freak out when outside of tower range.
 
Disagree about the iPad Kurt. I honestly forget who made the GPS PUCK I mated to my iPad, but the accuracy is great. I only have a Standard Horizon 190 as a main unit. The iPad is far more accurate. The biggest issue I have is with my polarized sunglasses on, the polarization is 90* out of whack. It would be nice if there was a variable polarization screen like in a jet I was in years ago.
 
David, is it the Bad Elf?

I guess I just prefer matching the tools to the job. When my current chartplotter becomes outdated, I'll buy something else made for the marine environment. I prefer having my chartplotter mounted where I can see it with "eyes up", easily view it with polarized sunglasses on, and if it get's wet it's no big deal because it's made for it. For a backup I have another smaller chartplotter (plus charts and a compass of course).

This is just my personal preference. Yours may vary :-)
 
I use my iPad as a GPS. If you get the cell-capable version, you can still take advantage of the GPS without any connectivity at all. I used it all last year without problem. In fact, I have no plans to buy a stationary GPS for my boat because of it. Although I do plan on buying a stand for it. With the software I used it was accurate to within yards and the latency was much better than the LORAN I was used to.
 
While I don't see it as having much use in a real time navigation situation, I can see how it could be very useful as a diagnosis tool for engine cooling systems, electrical panels and wiring, etc.

And it could perhaps be useful in a man overboard situation at night.
 
Kurt,

I just looked at the unit. It. Is the Dual XGPS 150. It is water resistant, bit not water proof. I comes with a non skid rubber sleeve that I place on the dash beneath the windshield. So far, so good.
 
With both Raymarine and Garmin now offering apps tht will connect to your marine network on your boat it is only a matter of time before they stop selling mid size displays completely and have a tablet used for the display. There is an advantage to being able to connect wirelessly to your network. And it is only a matter of time before sonar, sounder sand even radar is wireless on the boat. Or perhaps run to a router that broadcasts it via wifi or Bluetooth. Not quite there yet but I think it will happen in the next 5 years.

I can see a lot of uses for this tool. Not necessarily all boating. I don't like boating at night and avoid it entirely. However, if I did I can see where this could be useful to find a marker or someone overboard or even some of those night fishing people that don't have the appropriate lights while they fish in a channel
 
quote:
Originally posted by jmeirhofer

With both Raymarine and Garmin now offering apps tht will connect to your marine network on your boat it is only a matter of time before they stop selling mid size displays completely and have a tablet used for the display. There is an advantage to being able to connect wirelessly to your network. And it is only a matter of time before sonar, sounder sand even radar is wireless on the boat. Or perhaps run to a router that broadcasts it via wifi or Bluetooth. Not quite there yet but I think it will happen in the next 5 years.

I can see a lot of uses for this tool. Not necessarily all boating. I don't like boating at night and avoid it entirely. However, if I did I can see where this could be useful to find a marker or someone overboard or even some of those night fishing people that don't have the appropriate lights while they fish in a channel

Click to expand...
SiTex just came out with a Radar and LCD display that will also work with any IOS and most AOS platforms. It is the model T-760. It's a good half step to using Active Captain with an iPad or iPhone and display and control radar and (real-time or internet) AIS.

John you can pretty much view and interact by creating a WLAN using a small properly provisioned access point with older Garmin MFD's.

In addition here is a press release about Raymarine and NAVICO using an app. called Navionics plotter sync.
http://www.navionics.com/en/news/raymarine-navico-and-icw-initiatives-announced-miami-boat-show

Here is a link to C Maps they have a nice app for either operating platform but even they caution that it is a compliment to conventional chart plotters.
http://ww1.jeppesen.com/marine/lightmarine/mobile-devices-charts.jsp

I still like the reliability, look and feel of the larger screened networked MFD's.

Back to the topic the FLIR ONE doesn't appear to support real time thermal imaging. I doubt it will be replacing conventional FLIR units used by boaters. The main problem I see is the correctional data process must be initiated by the user it's isn't done automatically like conventional FLIR Imagers. In addition the FLIR ONE has a 2 hour operational limit on battery life of the device and the iPhone it is married too. This looks like a neat inexpensive hardware toy and application but it's not a replacement for real time FLIR thermal imagery. It's really a point and shoot, range limited, no focus control, thermal detail limited 80X60 Imager packaged to mate with an iPhone to entice people into purchasing the more accurate FLIR Imagers. Or use it for what it is being sold as, a view of the world using a different spectrum (thermal).
Bill
 
Bill - I agree that at this point it is more novelty than anything. And your right, there intent is not to replace conventional units but rather to get you to "step up" to the conventional unit. However, like everything over time. This will certainly cause them to bring down the price of the conventional units and possibly aid in the development of even smaller and less expensive conventional units.

I do know you can connect your system of WLAN with Garmin. What I meant by completely wireless was that the Radar, etc. would broadcast from the unit itself requiring only power to be provided to the unit. Given where it is at now, that does seem to be the logical progression. And just like those that refused chartplotters to conventional charts and compass, so to do those going from chartplotters to tablets. But as has been seen here already, just in BE, there are those that use a tablet exclusively. This summer I will use both to see how I like it as I am really on the fence (although I lean more toward a dedicated unit), but I can see my next boat having a tablet for navigation backed up by either paper charts or a handheld GPS or both.
 
John, I hear you and mostly agree. In my next boat (if there is such a thing) I'll probably limit my NMEA2000 network to a single larger MFD and the balance will be done wireless using an iPad or 2.
Bill
 
John & Bill, if you don't mind I'd like to play a bit of devil's advocate with this topic (keeping in mind that we're talking about recreational vessels in the 25-45' range).

Doesn't it make sense, especially in the marine environment, to K.I.S.S.? Doesn't hard-wiring have a performance and simplicity advantage over WLAN? Granted, out in the open there's probably less interference, but basing all these systems on a boat on wireless seems a bit risky to me. You two know I'm a bit of a techno-geek, but I also like simplicity. I prefer that every system possible on my boat be independent where possible, redundant when critical, and repairable by me. That of course takes into account that I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law! :-)
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

Being the cynic I am...

Gee, I can't wait for people to be boating at night with their iPhones in front of their faces...NOT! :-)

I'm not sold on this iPhone/iPad used in the marine environment anyway. I have yet to see a mobile device with a daylight readable screen, especially with polarized glasses on. I agree it's nice to check Active Captain and such, but not from the helm. Also, cellular signal isn't everywhere and I've personally seen such devices freak out when outside of tower range.

Click to expand...


When underway access to active captain can range from convenience (quickly looking up a phone nr for a marina) to mission critical (checking a shoaling marker)

I ve been using my iPad with lifeproof case extensively without cellular plan or coverage and it works perfectly. In th Bahamas it is my primary nav tool. I have a number of tracks set up for some challenging spots, like right here behind Lee stocking in the the southern exumas and it s always spot on.

Yes, readability in direct sunlight isn't as good but not a big deal. Over down side in an open boat is that if left in direct sun light, the iPad will turn itself on when it gets too hot.

As to this Flir device, it's cool but not sure of the real world practicality.
 
What size is the helm on Charmer compared to mine? :-)

Perhaps that's my hangup on the idea of using a tablet for navigation; it would be very difficult at MY helm. Larger helms would be more forgiving for something of that size. And I realize there's a HUGE price difference between large dedicated chartplotters and large tablets. Wouldn't it be nice, though, if daylight readable screens were available in tablets? Perhaps that's at least partially why larger chartplotters cost so much?
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

John & Bill, if you don't mind I'd like to play a bit of devil's advocate with this topic (keeping in mind that we're talking about recreational vessels in the 25-45' range).

Doesn't it make sense, especially in the marine environment, to K.I.S.S.? Doesn't hard-wiring have a performance and simplicity advantage over WLAN? Granted, out in the open there's probably less interference, but basing all these systems on a boat on wireless seems a bit risky to me. You two know I'm a bit of a techno-geek, but I also like simplicity. I prefer that every system possible on my boat be independent where possible, redundant when critical, and repairable by me. That of course takes into account that I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law! :-)

Click to expand...


It is exactly the 25-45' range that I think will have to succumb to this. Not an if but a when. Boat-builders will be on the bandwagon because it is less cabling they have to do. Consumers will use it (especially new boaters) because Tablet technology is familiar to them. And the installation of sounder and radar with nothing more than a power cable in an aftermarket application makes it easy too.

I can agree with simplicity. However, given that my new ipad from work required nothing by me other than clicking on the print button of a file and selecting the printer(my home wifi pringter), straight out of the box and working, I think these wireless devices are getting pretty simple.

I have heard of the complaints about not seeing the Ipad in direct sunlight but to date I have not had much issue. The couple times I had it at the helm last year there was more than enough shading from the enclosure/bimini. And I have the original Ipad.

One other thing that makes cable-less attractive is no hassles of cables going bad. Whether it is your radar coax or just your antenna coax. There have been a ton of stories right here on BE about it. At the connections and the cables themselves. That does not mean that the power cable can not go bad but it is usually going to be a larger solid wire. Not a multi strand with very thin wires and connections. So I would say that maybe hard wire does have the advantage the first year or two but after that it is a crap shoot to when it will fail.

As with any system, things can fail and yes murphy will make sure it fails at the most inopportune moment. Having redundancy is great. To much redundancy though probably not. I am still going to have a paper chart of where I am and a compass. I will also have my smart phone with the ability to pinpoint where I am on a map and a built in compass too.
 
The problem with the internal GPS in the Ipad is not WAAS enabled. What David is using is WAAS enabled. When you look at all the geo referenced charts in aviation for use on the Ipad it is clear this combo is a winner. The DUAL unit is usually Bluetooth which can have minor latency issues compared to a WIFI signal. I honestly use my Ipad in my plane paired to a WAAS enabled GPS more than I use the Garmin GNS 420 panel unit. If your panel space is limited, go to the Mini. Still too big? Go to an Iphone. You can't get a smaller panel than this and the mini mounted to a Ram works great.

panel_zps28962a4d.jpg
 
Kurt I prefer dedicated MFD's attached to 2 networks. One of the 2 can be your boats WLAN. I just started playing around with a mocked up iPad on my bench. Greg brings up a great point about WAAS enabled GPS vs non-WAAS built in GPS. WAAS enabled GPS source data should be the clear winner.
I'm not a huge BlueTooth fan it's range is fairly limited, I use my SmartPhone for Pandora to my Fusion stereo in the boat it's range is limited to about 15 feet after that it's not reliable.
Bill
 
Kurt, I use the iPad on Sabrosura with no Bimini and limited helm space obviously... Works fine except for the heat in direct sunlight.

as to WAAS, i have never noticed the iPad to be off by any significant amount and here in the Bahamas I have a number of tracks into anchorages or cuts with very little margin for error. Obviously I read the water but the tracks are always right were they should be and there is no difference in precision with the built in furunos
 
Pascal, I'm still in "devil's advocate mode" (I can't help it :-).

You use an iPad on Sabrosura exclusively I believe. But you're in Biscayne Bay, which you know like the back of your hand. You're in the Exumas right now with your charter and you're using the iPad with a Furuno (or two) as a backup. So let me ask you this:

Would you take a boat, especially your charter, into unknown waters with only the iPad for electronic navigation?
 
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