Viewing the screen of a PC or a card reader on an iPad, or conversely, an iPad on a PC or even a TV, is a sought-after feature in many circumstances, especially on board a boat. Let's examine the different solutions available!
It is undeniable that the time spent in front of a screen is increasing, including during navigation. It is necessary to check the proper functioning of the boat, to consult the route and potential hazards, to maintain surveillance via AIS, and to stay informed of weather changes, among other things.
Each navigator has their preferences and habits for consulting this information, usually choosing between a computer, a combined chart plotter, or a tablet as the main screen.
However, this main screen is not always ideally located depending on the activity on board: while a tablet is easily portable, this is not the case for a PC or a chart plotter, which require frequent trips to the chart table or the steering position.
Therefore, it is interesting to be able to replicate the main navigation screen on one or more other screens positioned strategically on the boat.
Important:
If you do not have a Wi-Fi router on board:
This is a common situation for which we have written a tutorial using the free VNC software. This method is very effective with a Windows or Mac computer. However, establishing an Ad-Hoc connection has become more complicated with the latest versions of Windows. In this case, it is best to opt for a small router, see the details below.
If you have a Mac and an iPad that support the SideCar feature, you can extend the Mac display to the iPad by enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, without needing a router. Check out this Apple tutorial for more information.
When a Wi-Fi router is present on board:
Installing a Wi-Fi router (available for less than €30) significantly simplifies the connection. Almost any router will do, just make sure it powers on 12V or 5V USB. For example, you can opt for the TP-Link router included in our Wi-Fi kits, or even an Iridium Go! or Go! Exec!
Just like in the previous case, it is necessary to install screen sharing software on both the computer and the tablet. We provide two examples below:
With the software VNC and the app Mocha VNC, you just need to follow the tutorial mentioned above, but without the need to create an Ad-Hoc network. The initial setup is done entirely locally once the software is downloaded: it does not require registration on a remote service or an internet connection, so everything can be configured on the boat.
With the software Splashtop, the initial setup is slightly simpler as it directly detects the IP address of the PC (no need for Fing Network Scanner). However, it requires prior registration on the publisher's servers, even for purely local use.
With these solutions, it is possible not only to project the image of a PC/Mac onto an iPad, but also to interact with the PC: open files, run programs, check emails, etc. It is also feasible to connect multiple smartphones or tablets to the computer simultaneously, allowing everyone to share the same screen.
It is important to note that the screen formats of the PC and the iPad generally differ (16:9 for the PC, 4:3 for the iPad). Splashtop offers an option to adapt the PC display to the iPad format, although this may affect the image quality on the PC. Mocha VNC uses a different approach: the image is anchored at the bottom left, but it can be moved to see parts that might be missing. Worth trying according to your preferences!
With a Mac or Windows PC, there are many "mirroring" software options dedicated to displaying an iOS or Android tablet on a PC or Mac. Notable mentions include Mirroring 360, Reflector 4, or Air Server. These software programs are paid (around €10-15/year) but you can test them for free for a few days before making your choice.
They are all more or less equivalent, with a slight advantage for Reflector 3 which allows you to adjust the size allocated to each displayed mobile screen (useful for giving more space to the nautical chart, for example).
Install Air Server on your PC, checking that it is not blocked by your firewall (advice is provided during the installation). Then ensure that the computer and the tablet are on the same Wi-Fi network, click on the dock of your iPad, and select "Screen Mirroring." That's it! And if another mobile device connects, Air Server will display it alongside the first one by sharing the PC screen in two.
There is almost no latency, meaning that any action on the iPad screen is instantly visible on the PC (you can even display in real-time the camera of an iPhone placed outside for visual monitoring!).
Note:
Same as case No. 2!
To use AirPlay with your iPad, you need an Apple TV box connected to your television or any HDMI monitor. A wifi router is also necessary for the Apple TV and the mobile device to be on the same wifi network.
With these elements in place, usage is simple: the Apple TV enables video mirroring via AirPlay from your iPad. Just open the dock at the bottom of the iPad screen and select "Screen Mirroring".
This method is described in detail in an article from the Navigation Mac blog. Unlike case No. 2, it is only possible to connect one device at a time to the TV screen.
This is obviously the Holy Grail for some, who would like to be able to synchronize the displays of 2 iPads between the inside and outside of the boat.
Unfortunately, this is impossible for now!
This requires a modern chartplotter equipped with Wi-Fi or compatible with devices such as the GoFree Wi-Fi from Navico (B&G, Simrad, Lowrance), which also offers the possibility of exchanging NMEA data.
Other manufacturers, such as Garmin and Raymarine, have designed exclusive Wi-Fi modules that are limited to mirroring the display of their chartplotters on iPad via dedicated apps. This is the case, for example, with Raymarine's Ray-Remote, Ray-Connect, or Ray-View apps. It is advisable to consult the manufacturer’s manual for your chartplotter for more details.
It is important to note that the resolution of a chartplotter screen is often much lower than that of an iPad, which can make the display on the iPad less satisfying, with rather basic remote controls.
