Smartphone users

Has anyone used the Navionics West maps for the Droid X (or other android smartphone)? If you have, what were your thoughts on it?


Also, for anyone that uses a smartphone out on the water, what drybag are you using and where did you get it? Looking for something relatively rugged, waterPROOF, and that I can see through and use my touchscreen. I realize some durability will have to be sacrificed for this, but yeah, that's what I'm after.

I use a ziploc designed for sandwiches. 

Brother you are asking for problems with a ziploc, unless you keep it in the hatch or something all the time, even then, water gets in there too, and those things are definitely not waterproof.

Hmmmm, water and expensive electronics........  I think someone's looking to pay some dues.....  Lol! 
 
I've seen several configurations of dry bag with clear plastic fronts at Next Adventure and REI.  I don't know how well the touch screen would work thru the plastic though. 
 
-Spot-

If you go with a ziploc, I heard these are the best!


http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/FreshProduceBags.aspx?SizeName=Gallon

I got this off of eBay for about $5 shipped. I put my Droid in it. It has 1 side w clear plastic and I can take pictures through it. I've used it in the pouring rain in my yak, on the rivers and charters. I haven't had any problems.

I have the navionics maps on my iphone, and love it.  I have my phone in an OtterBox case (not waterproof) and then that goes into a RAM AquaBox (waterproof when all the screws are in, DAMHIK). Good combo, but even better than that for the iphone is the Magellan case.  Better GPS chip, 2nd battery, and fully waterproof, but it's the same price as a new iphone...

Picked up a dry pak brand bag and its very easy to use with the touch screen
 
It comes with the parts seen here (minus the phone duh)
 

REI has this Seal Line waterproof electronic's case on sale for $19.95. They say its rated to 6' for 30 min. Hopefully it wont take any of us that long to jump back in the yak.

those're both good buys. have several similar to what Lee shows for the handheld vhf's. Add a crab float to it so when it does go over board you can recover it intact.

I attach the lanyard to the deck with the caribiner.  Floats are too bulky.

Hi,
 
I have the Navonics West and BC maps on my IPhone and they are great.  I use the better Otter water resistant phone cover but also put it in a West Marine Phone drybag with a lanyard.  In my experience multiple layers of water protection are required because they all seem to leak to some extent.  The hard shell Otter box or similar waterproof cases are pretty impervious but if the gasket mis-seats or a small amount of sand or other junk gets on the gasket it can allow it to leak (also you can't use the phone unless you take it out).
 
Tomas 

Lee... you might think floats are to bulky.. but after about the 3rd or 4th item you have a on a lanyard and you get tangled up in it. you might change your mind... or when your VHF Radio takes a swim.. and it sinks straight to the bottom of the Hoodsport waters.. you deal with the bulk... 
 
 
SG

Picked up a dry pak brand bag and its very easy to use with the touch screen
 
It comes with the parts seen here (minus the phone duh)
 

I've use that type of dry bag for my GPS for the past 5 years.  Not a problem so far.

-Allen

Although someone on NCKA just posted a recommendation on this one.

http://www.rei.com/product/811110

-Allen