Useful Apps (tablet or smartphone) for Sibbers

[9-R]

Do any of your phone screens get washed out in the daylight? Also, how do you protect it from water splashing?

I had tried to use my phone on our SIB and it was worthless because of the sun. Never could see anything on the screen no matter how bright I made it.

[albasmac]

I suppose it depends on your screen type, some are a lot better than others in the sun.
My phone is waterproof so some splashes aren't a problem.
I did have problems using the camera as the screen just kept going blank. Turns out it was my polarised sun glasses! they seem to filter out everything on the screen. I thought my phone was on the blink.
I'm sure I read some where that a matt screen protector helps in bright light but couldn't say for sure.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[Martin]

I use the iPad and iphone without issue.
I do tend to keep the phone in a waterproof bag just in my pocket, but the iPad is in a (Lifeproof) waterproof case that seals around the screen itself. Easy to see and operate in the sun.

[chris moody]

I tend to stop the sib if I want to get the smartphone out to:
1. take a picture
2. check something on the charts
3. check a tidal height

When on the move the phone stays in the drybag. When stationary there is much less chance of water splashing around, and you can usually get the screen into shade by turning around.

Do any of your phone screens get washed out in the daylight? Also, how do you protect it from water splashing?

I had tried to use my phone on our SIB and it was worthless because of the sun. Never could see anything on the screen no matter how bright I made it.

[mattswan2512]

The samsung galaxy s7 is waterproof to 2m for 30 mins so no screen spash concern for me....ive answered a call from the wiff in the shower before with no dramas so mine sits in a phone holder when im going along and i use saildroid for accurate gps over ground speeds. I do however sit it in a motorcycle style dry bag with clear screen so u can operate it still as if i hit a wave it will float if it falls overboard.

As my phone is my only descent comms and navigation its vital for me to keep it safe.

[Martin]

It'll also keep his hands warm and heat a kettle with it's defective battery

[The Gurnard]

I guess my age shows in this post.. but here goes anyhoo..

I use charts (OS maps ) and a compass. I have a handheld VHF without DSC because the battery lasts much longer than one with DSC..and I don’t really need DSC because in ten seconds.. I can get my coordinates off the paper map. As a last resort..if I couldn’t work out the coordinates (because perhaps I might go blind ..and I do want to cover all bases) I have a PLB which will send them for me.

I do carry a smart arse phone..but only for entertainment purposes. If the battery goes flat..its no great loss. It is handy to crank up some music if Im in that kind of mood ... and headphones don’t disturb other boaters peace and quite. I personally don’t like hearing others blare out their super cool music over ghetto blaster systems .. as normally I go to sea to escape that kind of annoyance. Each to their own though. I also sometimes run the GPS on my smart arse phone as it plots my journey so I can see how far I have gone etc..but again..its only for entertainment value.

I do find the calculator in the phone very useful though. I use it to count how much gravy ballast is left in the bilges of the boat. I tend to forget that important kind of info as the day gets on. On those kind of days .. I keep the phone in an Aquapac bag.. totally waterproof ..and touch screen friendly. I have few mates now as most have died of old age or boredom ..so calls are few and far between...so again.. I wont panic if I can’t make or receive a call or text.

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If the sun came out.. looking at the phone would be the last thing on my mind.. a quick yank of the kill cord will stop me nicely .. sun cream out .. shades on.. gravy tin opened to celebrate its arrival .. then just lie back and absorb the warmth..like a big lizard basking on a hot rock. If I was on a dry day.. I may make a coffee instead of gravy.

While perhaps dangling a wee worm in the water too... I catch more fish with nice smelly bait than I do with sterile smell less apps.

Yup..there is more important things than apps or sugary tablet stuff for my kind of boating.. so roll on the blue sky days..they are coming again soon

Now..I ask you youngsters ..am I missing something important by living an app’less life ?

[mattswan2512]

:gayslap It'll also keep his hands warm and heat a kettle with it's defective battery

Thats the galaxy s7 note martin
Oh and when they put the iphone whatever it is these days in the water alongside the samsung it lasted about 9 mins and turned into a water pistol as you could squirt water out the phone jack........

Samsung for me over Mr heriditory i phone every time.

[DaveRolph]

I was not sure if it was better to start a new thread or continue with an old one (I am sure Martin will be along soon with some advice).

The question is does the Navionics give everything I need :-

I was to be able to track my movements, see water depth and be able to navigate "Back to Home Port", how much do I really need to spend to get all this in one app ?

Thanks in advance

[Paul]

I've a Lowrance HDi with Navionics maps which works great and very detailed but it's expensive
As you're starting out there's a good app Andy B pointed out previously called Embark which you can use on your computer and your mobile device https://letsembark.io/start/front
It'll get you going and you can familiarise yourself of the area you intend to go boating/fishing in to choose your marks