On-board navigation via app has been on the rise for years. Owners use tablets as an alternative or supplement to a plotter, while charter crews have their familiar device in their luggage. The advantages are obvious: you can use the device anywhere in the helm or below deck, you don't have to get used to a new chart image or new settings and you know exactly when the chart set was last updated. Surveys among skippers have shown that over 60 per cent of respondents use sat nav apps.
For app comparisons, we in the editorial team mostly used the top test hardware from Apple and Samsung's S series, as these are the best-selling brands on the tablet market and the app manufacturers usually optimise the functioning of the apps for them. However, the top devices also have a disadvantage: their prices have been rising sharply for years. The cheapest 10-inch model from Apple with a GPS chip (these are only the "Wi-Fi + Cellular" models) is currently available from just under 780 euros, the Air model costs almost 1000 euros and the Pro model is available from 1249 euros. Samsung's cheapest top tablet, the S9, is around 870 euros, while the somewhat simpler S9 FE is still over 600 euros. Proud prices then. If your wallet is not that deep or you only rarely use tablets at home, perhaps once for streaming or surfing the internet, cheaper tablets, which often only cost around 150-230 euros, are tempting.
Split development for tablets
So far, the editorial team has always recommended the top devices in terms of hardware because the software then usually ran 100 per cent smoothly, GPS positions always worked and there were almost no crashes. The reasons were simple: the devices have enough processor speed and plenty of RAM to avoid stutters. In addition, the displays are bright and sharp enough in sunlight because only the best of the best is usually used.
Since then, however, there has been a two-pronged development: tablets have improved at breakneck speed. Faster processors, four, six or even eight gigabytes of RAM instead of one or two, and better, brighter displays. The latter were the most common annoyance with budget tablets: the cheaper LCD versions were almost impossible to read in direct sunlight and were very reflective.
The sat nav apps, on the other hand, remained rather similar in terms of memory requirements and processor speed. After all, there are no complex graphical refinements, and although many features have been added over the years, nothing has slowed down performance. The development of GPS chips in recent years has also increased the accuracy and reliability of positions, partly because user data has become increasingly important for various services used.
Although dedicated marine devices with external, often much larger antennas are still superior in terms of accuracy, the question is whether this plays a role, as many members of the editorial team have been using tablets or smartphones and sat nav apps for years, usually as an add-on to the on-board systems. It has been many years since anyone reported significant positioning errors. What's more, if a dedicated GPS/plotter device is installed on board, everyone can check their device for deviations at the beginning. What's more, the data from the on-board GPS devices can also be integrated into many sat nav apps via WLAN.
In the test: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, Lenovo Tab M10 Plus and Redmi Pad SE
Reason enough for the editorial team to try out three affordable tablets from major manufacturers for mobile navigation. These are the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus and the Redmi Pad SE.
The first tangible surprise comes when unpacking. Whereas budget tablets often used to look and feel like cheap plastic devices, the three test candidates offer an almost dignified finish: high-quality looking and feeling aluminium and glass casing, narrow edges between the display and frame instead of thick black bars as in the past, which turned the 10-inch tablet into something around eight to nine inches in reality.
We experience the second, but this time very unpleasant surprise when installing the navigation apps via the Google Play app store: although the Redmi Pad SE installs apps such as Navionics Boating or ORCA, it refuses to install the NV app, stating that the device is not suitable for the app. A little research reveals an unexpected problem: The device does not have a GPS chip, although this was listed in the seller's technical specifications. A search on the manufacturer's website only reveals that a GPS chip is not explicitly mentioned as being present. Under "Location" in the operating system, there is a note that the device does not support satellite navigation, but only triangulates via the radio masts, as the cheaper iPads do. This also becomes apparent during the test run with the Navionics app: the nautical chart shows the position of our boat, but it is a good 150 metres off and also moves by 100 or 200 metres, even though we are lying still. This makes the tablet unsuitable for navigation, even if you could theoretically still use it by utilising the data from the on-board GPS. But to be honest, that's probably why nobody buys a tablet for navigation.
That leaves the Samsung and Lenovo devices. The installation of the Navionics Boating, NV-Charts, C-Map and Garmin Active Captain software works smoothly on both devices. When starting up the app, the mooring position of the test boat in Stickenhörn harbour is immediately displayed to the nearest metre. What is then noticeable, however, is that if you scroll the map image in the NV app with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, grey bars without data remain for a second before the image is reloaded. Although this does not affect the function, it is unattractive.
With the Navionics app, however, it runs smoothly and without any problems. We know from test experience and also from the manufacturer NV-Verlag that the app requires a relatively large amount of RAM. With top devices that have four gigabytes or more, this is not a problem at all, but the Samsung only has three gigabytes in the tested version. However, a larger, more expensive version with four gigabytes is available. So if you plan to use the NV app later, you should choose a tablet model with at least four gigabytes of RAM or choose an app that can get by with less, such as the market leader Navionics. The Lenovo pad has four gigabytes and all the software we tested runs perfectly smoothly.
How the tablets react to movement and sunlight
We cast off. Both GPS positions move immediately with the first movement of the boat, so the sensitivity of the GPS chips is correct. However, despite the cursor moving correctly, the direction of travel is displayed on the Lenovo tablet for a few seconds with the arrowhead misaligned. The position of the ship is correct, but the cursor is positioned as if we were travelling backwards. Strangely enough, the problem no longer occurred later, when the boat was actually always moving slightly. Changes of direction were displayed correctly, the position did not jump and was exactly correct in the narrow passage of fixed buoys and the Friedrichsort beacon. In our test, in which we repeatedly passed fixed landmarks such as harbour entrances, sounding marks and a beacon, neither device had any problems with the position indication, the cursor moved smoothly, no jumps or skips.
After half an hour on the water, the sun comes out as hoped - important to see how the display performs in daylight brightness. Both of our budget tablets have cheaper LCDs or TFT displays, not state-of-the-art OLED variants like many high-end devices. However, there are now also many different technologies in the LCD sector, which can lead to very different, but also very good display quality.
In the auto function for brightness, both tablets appear to us to be too dark for use on board, but this is sometimes also the case with more expensive devices. The brightness must then be adjusted upwards manually. We do this and set it to maximum brightness.
The brighter of the two candidates is clearly the Lenovo, whose display is brighter and easier to read. It is also slightly less reflective if you hold the display at an angle so that the light falls on it less favourably. But of course, one of the strengths of a tablet in an open cockpit is that you can always hold it in such a way that it offers ideal brightness, as it is not permanently mounted on a holder. However, if that's your intention, the Lenovo is clearly the better choice. However, the Samsung is also perfectly usable.
How long does the battery last?
The next important question is how long the devices' batteries last at maximum brightness. We use them in the same way as we would probably do on board: The app is running the whole time, with tracking for the route travelled switched on, even if it is only running in the background. The device is used for a regular check of the course and map and we let it switch to sleep mode during the breaks in between so that the display goes dark. How quickly this happens, whether after a few seconds or later, can be set via the operating systems. When used in this way, both devices were still at around 50 per cent battery power after around 3.5 hours. After five to six hours, you reach the point where it is better to recharge the battery so that you will definitely still have enough power for harbour navigation.
Back in the harbour, we connect the two tablets to the 220 V chargers with the new EU USB-C standard. Unfortunately, with ten watts of power, they are very weak. A concession made by manufacturers to the price, which is unfortunately becoming increasingly common in the mid and top price range. 2.5 hours to 50 per cent and just under four hours to a full charge are not exactly fast. But the Samsung can also handle a 15-watt charger, the Lenovo even 20 watts. The faster chargers have to be purchased as an extra and cost around 13 to 25 euros, depending on the retailer. Or you can find something suitable in the general accessories trade or even in the chargers with USB-C connection that are usually lying around at home. This should result in significantly faster charging times. If you order a new charger, you should also order a protective cover for drops. Splash-proof versions are also available.
Conclusion on the tablet comparison
A few words about the other, non-boat-specific features of the devices. It is nice that both still have the classic jack connection for headphones, for which every boater probably still has headphones lying around. They are not included in the scope of delivery in this price range. If you like, you can also expand the memory using a micro SD card; both can then hold up to one terabyte. Back in the harbour, it's time for a conclusion. The bottom line is that buying a budget tablet requires a little more care from skippers than buying a high-end device. It is best to check the technical data on the manufacturer's website beforehand to make sure that a GPS chip is installed. Then you should check that at least four gigabytes of RAM are available so that all common apps run smoothly. Otherwise, the budget tablets definitely fulfil their purpose, albeit with slight compromises in terms of screen brightness and the duration of software updates. But the price of only around a quarter of a top Apple or Samsung device has to be explained somehow.
The tablets in detail
Tab M10 Plus
- Manufacturer: Lenovo
- Distribution: www.cyberport.de
- Material: Aluminium/glass
- Size: 10 inch
- Operating system: Android 13
- Working memory: 4 GB
- Memory: 128 GB
- SD slot: yes; expandable to 1 TB
- Display: LCD IPS
- Resolution: 1920 x 1200
- Connection: Wi-Fi/LTE
- Battery: 7700 mAh/10 W
- Charger: USB-C
- Loading: up to 50 % - 2:24; up to 100 % - 3:36 h
- Readability in sunlight: very good
- Water protection class: -
- Main camera: 8 MP
- Selfie cam: 8 MP
- Price: approx. 190 €
- Advantages: Very affordable tab with good display, smooth-running apps
Galaxy Tab A8
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Distribution: www.cyberport.de
- Material: Aluminium/glass
- Size: 10 inch
- Operating system: Android 13
- Working memory: 3 GB/4 GB
- Memory: 32 GB/64 GB
- SD slot: yes; expandable to 1 TB
- Display: TFT
- Resolution: 1920 x 1200
- Connection: Wi-Fi/LTE
- Battery: 7040 mAh/10 W/
- Charger: USB-C
- Loading: up to 50% - 2:35; 100% - 3:50 h
- Readability in sunlight: good
- Water protection class: -
- Main camera: 8 MP
- Selfie cam: 5 MP
- Price: approx. 210 €
- Advantage: More software updates
- Disadvantage: Slightly more expensive and smaller memory
Useful accessories for a tablet
A shockproof cover is an indispensable companion for a sat nav tablet to protect it if it is dropped. Somewhat more expensive ones already have retaining tabs on the back, a stand and are splash-proof. You shouldn't expect devices in this price range to be waterproof, but even many iPads and top Samsung devices are only splashproof against fresh water. Protective covers for a budget tablet are inexpensive, often available for as little as 16 to 25 euros (plus shipping). However, they are not waterproof as the charging ports remain open. This is why most skippers charge the device from time to time at a USB socket below deck. There is a simple and practical alternative: buy a larger power bank. Models with more than 10,000 mAh fully charge the test tablets and cost no more than 20 to 40 euros. Combined with a truly waterproof foil case, charging in the open cockpit of a sports boat, for example, is also possible. Top cases of this type are offered by Aquapac, for example, from around 50 euros, depending on the shop.
Android operating system only
If you buy budget tablets, you inevitably have to accept Android as the operating system. The sat nav apps are now also available for Android from almost all providers, the only exception being Time Zero from Maxsea. Beware of Huawei devices, which are not allowed to use Android due to a US embargo and instead have a Chinese operating system. None of the common sat nav apps will work with them. A weak point of Android is that many hardware manufacturers, especially those of cheaper devices, usually only offer two to three Android version updates and then one, maximum two years of security updates. Lenovo and Redmi do not generally comment on this, Samsung promises three major updates for A-tablets, followed by around one year of security updates. The top devices from brand manufacturers have an advantage here: Apple and Samsung's S series offer a minimum of five years.
