iPad as chartplotter for $150

[BillBerner]

I've been using my Ipad with iNavx for a long time, in a sort of off line way. It's a wifi only iPad so wasn't of much use on the boat.

For about 150 bucks I've turned it into a great secondary system.

I spent $100 for a Garmin Bluetooth GPS receiver, so the iPad now gets great precise positioning. Another 25 got me a nice handlebar mount that I used to mount the iPad to the steering pedestal The last 25 was for a 12v water proof (probably just resistant) 2 port fused USB charging receptacle. It even has a digital voltmeter. The thing even came with a really high quality hole cutter for my drill. I powered the charging port directly from the instrument panel. I just leave the iPad and GPS receiver plugged in and don't sweat recharging.
Display is much nicer than my Raymarine CP70. Only downside is that the iPad doesn't talk to the autopilot.
Pretty sweet for the $$ though!