The benefits of tablets in outdoor sports

Although not designed for this purpose, digital tablets are proving to be excellent tools for a variety of outdoor activities, often surpassing specialized devices. They are already popular with enthusiasts in fields as diverse as navigation, aviation, motor sports, or even activities such as hiking or cycling.

Dedicated devices: an increasingly unattractive offering

Electronic devices are becoming an increasingly important part of our outdoor sports and leisure activities, meeting a variety of needs for comfort, pleasure and safety:

GPS location and navigation
Mobile or satellite telecommunications
Capturing and sharing digital photos and videos
Training tools: tracking effort, distance, etc.

To satisfy enthusiasts, manufacturers have designed specialized devices that are resistant to shock, water and dust. Although functional, these devices do not meet today's expectations:

They are often limited to a single function
Their functionalities are not expandable
Their ergonomics are far from today's standards (buttons, small screens, etc.)
The market does not justify regular renewal, limiting the integration of the latest display, GPS and communication technologies...
High cost

The advantages of tablets and smartphones for outdoor use

In comparison, smartphones and tablets offer many advantages: high-quality screens, simplified ergonomics, and the ability to perform several functions simultaneously (communication, GPS, photography, etc.).

They are equipped with the latest high-performance, energy-efficient components, offering remarkable battery life. They also offer a host of applications that make functions once reserved for professionals accessible, such as highly accurate weather forecasts, routing, or specialized map displays, all at an affordable price.

But that's not all: unlike specific equipment that becomes useless outside of sporting activities, tablets accompany us everywhere and make it easier to prepare for our activities. For example, an altivariometer for paragliding is useless outside the flight, whereas a tablet can be used to plan the flight, identify danger zones, check the weather at home, and even act as an altivariometer during the flight!

These advantages have won over many users around the world: almost two-thirds of American private pilots use an iPad in flight, and many sailors (including professional navigators) use them on all the world's seas...

Reliable tools, even outdoors

Tablets and smartphones are generally very reliable, thanks to their one-piece construction, lack of hard disk, mechanical joints and physical keyboard, making them more robust than traditional PCs. However, they are not designed for extreme use.

Fortunately, high-performance protective shells exist to make these devices virtually indestructible, or at least capable of withstanding shocks, vibrations, water splashes, dust and other hazards encountered during sports and outdoor activities.

What's more, a growing range of mounting and transport accessories and electronics are available to enhance tablet functionality and satisfy the most demanding enthusiasts.

We invite you to explore these products on our site, via our store, our dossiers or our applications guide.