Tablet as Second Display?

I’m going to add a HDS Live to my boat and use my existing unit mostly for navigation so I can use screen real estate of HDS Live for sonar. I have a welded aluminum sled, covered helm. The HDS live will be mounted at the helm so I can search while running under main motor. I spend most of my time actually fishing in the back of the boat, running my bow mount trolling motor remotely. I would like to have a display at the back of the boat.

I’ve thought about getting an older Lowrance unit that I could connect via ethernet cable to the HDS Live at the helm just to use the display so I can see the same thing that is on the HDS Live at the helm. Don’t think there is a need to mess with a NMEA 2000 network since I only want to mirror the main display. The price on used older generation Lowrance units (looking on Ebay and such places) isn’t much less expensive than another new unit. I’ve been thinking about using a tablet for a second display instead, connected via wifi to the HDS Live, and use a ram mount. My only concern is daylight viewing. The Lowrance units are all around 1200 nits brightness and the brightest tablets are around half of that.

Is anyone using a tablet for a second display? Any thoughts or advice would be really appreciated.

What a helpful group! (NOT). Oh well. Will try a tablet and if it doesn’t work out I will add a second unit connected via Ethernet.

Jeff Kruger wrote:

What a helpful group! (NOT). Oh well. Will try a tablet and if it doesn’t work out I will add a second unit connected via Ethernet.

I have tried using a Samsung tablet with the Navionics app and it does work, but not well in the sun. It would do if you’re in a pinch, but I wouldn’t want it to be a permanent solution.

I used an Ipad linked to my Gen3, It will emulate the screen you have on. Download the Lowrance app.

I use a Samsung tablet with Navionics as a back up occasionally. I did a lot of research to find a tablet without cell data that still had a gps module. In some instances it was nice to have a different map than my lake master chip as neither is always spot on. I also loaded music on the tablet so when I am somewhere with poor cell service I can play music off the tablet. It is also nice to be able to have the tablet to look thru a lake before you fish it. I think my total set up with tablet, mount and app was less than $200. I also use it for navigation while ice fishing.

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