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5 Great Marine Apps for Panasonic’s Toughpad

Announcement posted by Comworth 18 Jun 2013


Choosing an Android-powered Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1 means getting a ‘Built Kiwi Tough’ tablet that’s ready to handle all that nature can throw at it. Boaties, day sailors, racers and serious cruisers all appreciate that nature doesn’t come much harsher than the ocean. Where ‘consumer’ electronic devices might not last the day, Darryn Smith, brand and channel manager at sole New Zealand Panasonic Toughpad distributor Comworth, says the FZ-A1 is built for extremes.

“Whether fishing, diving or simply exploring New Zealand’s extensive coastline, the Toughpad is an ideal companion. Install all your ‘usual’ apps and add a range of communications, navigation and weather apps specifically designed for the mariner. As a result, the go-anywhere Toughpad will soon become an indispensable companion on the sea,” he says.

Comworth’s top picks for marine apps for the Toughpad FZ-A1 include:

·        Navionics ($18.87, Australia and New Zealand version, other versions available)
The world’s top selling marine and lakes app is designed for serious sailors, boaties and fishermen. It’s particularly suited for cruising sailors or adventurous day skippers, Navionics offers full offline marine charts (no need for an internet connection). Using your Toughpad, create and edit routes based on cruising speed and fuel consumption. Record and view tracks and capture pictures (geo-tagged) along the way for a virtual adventure log of your trip. Access up-to-date tide, current, and wind speed/direction. Save ‘spot-X’ for the best fishing, and consult wind forecasts and tide and current predictions for trip planning.

 

·        Predict Wind (Free; registration required. Advanced features require subscription of $19/year)
Along with swell and current, wind is one of the fundamental determinants of conditions on the waterways. This free app turns your Toughpad into a ‘wind expert’. This app delivers the most accurate wind forecast available, with the highest resolution and a level of detail that includes tables, graphs and maps. Enter your city and country, select a position from the map and instantly get a complete analysis of land/sea conditions. Advanced tools include: zoom in on high resolution forecast maps; plan in accordance with wind, swell and current conditions for the fastest route and the best day for departure; receive Forecast Alerts of the conditions that matter to you; GPS Tracking to let others view your position and track.


·                  MX Mariner ($8.49)
For those who don’t need comprehensive features, but instead want a simple-to-use set of charts to safely navigate the waterways, look no further than MX Mariner. This app offers a basic mobile marine navigator/chart plotter featuring quilted offline marine charts. Even when your Toughpad is out of coverage, the charts are stored locally; with the on-device GPS, you’re safe to navigate.

MX Mariner features a simple heads up display showing speed and course. You have the ability to drop waypoints, record tracks and create routes. Routes can be activated and the heads up display will also show bearing and range to next waypoint, along with speed and course.

 

·        NavRules Quiz ($7.99)
Whether a seasoned sailor or a beginner, knowing the Rules of Road is an essential aspect of good seamanship. This app provides comprehensive testing of your knowledge, delivering quizzes of official NAVRULES test questions from a massive test bank. The app is complete with questions from every part of the U.S. Coast Guard's Navigation Rules publication.

With your Toughpad, use your spare time on the water or off to track your progress, focus on problem areas and get ready to ace your Master's License or Deck Watch Officer exams.

 

·        Google Sky Map (Free)
Looking for a tall ship and a star to steer her by? Your Toughpad will take all the guesswork out of stargazing with the addition of Google’s Sky Map. This incredible app uses the hardware in your Toughpad to help you identify celestial objects; simply point the camera at the sky, align the stars with those on-screen, and zoom in to learn more. Navigation by the stars was once standard practice and is still considered an essential fall-back; while your Toughpad is designed never to let you down, allow it to help you know more about the heavens above.

 

Smith says these apps and hundreds more suitable for marine use are ideal companions for the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1. “By adding a tablet designed for the outdoors and quite happy to go to sea, mariners have a further instrument to add to their inventory – one which is capable of replicating the functions of other more costly devices. As a primary tool or as a backup solution, a Toughpad is an ideal tool for water enthusiasts,” he concludes.