I really like this unit. The battery life is excellent, the screen is just large enough to see clearly, even under bad light conditions you can discern the details. The zoom and screen movement functions work well. The tracking is fast enough, although on a few tight spots in shallow water the update on location has been a bit slow but manageable. While the unit seems pricy, it is actually quite competitive with the options out there as it is far superior to smaller hand held devices, and doesn't need the wiring and battery of larger units. The only suggestion I have is to simplify the GoTo function; this takes several steps and would benefit from simply touching on a map location and at that point providing a GoTo option. This is in contrast to what is current: having to create a new waypoint, save it and then touch again to GoTo. In active conditions the current method is a bit too cumbersome. It would also be great to have an option to increase just the thickness of the line showing a navigation route (without having to increase all number sizes). In all, a great navigation tool.

I finally got to try out my new Maptattoo GPS. It's incredible. The best Marine GPS I've ever had. For over a decade now I have needed a GPS that simply does exactly what yours does. So now I have it, thanks to you! It's perfect. Took this photo this morning, on the Chesapeake Bay. It's great, can't say enough about it. Much gratitude.

I have been using my MapTattoo on our 17 1/2 foot sailboat and I'm really impressed. The daylight visible screen is the shining star here, as I never have to move it around to be able to see it. There are small foibles that take some getting used to, like the screen update jerkiness, but nothing that actually interferes with using it. The battery life is another outstanding feature, although the need to charge is so infrequent that you might forget to look at charge level before departing. I also like that the software is still actively being developed with new features introduced frequently. Overall, it's an excellent small boat gps with a few quirks to get used to.

Finally got a chance to use my Maptattoo today! First day of the Wayzata Yacht Club/ Apostle Island Station 3 day Labor Day series on Lake Superior. My crew of experienced racers who have sailed on various boats doing races like the Chicago Mac, and Trans Superior where very impressed. It can do most of the same things that my friends have spent thousands of dollars on electronics to do. Plus even a tech illiterate like me can figure out how to program in way points etc.

The Maptattoo is a e-device that has lived up to my expectations of a digital chartplotter. I have tested it against the mainstream chartplotter that came with my sailboat and the Maptattoo produces identical results. It locks my GPS location quickly, picks up the heading, tracks my course, and I can read it under the brightest daytime conditions. Prior to purchase, as an e-ink device, I was concerned about its realtime display refresh. After using it I found its refresh rate remarkably fast and excellent for realtime use. Kudos to Maptattoo. I will recommend it to all my marine friends!

Boat is a Sage 17, sailing grounds are coastal NH/ME border, and nav primarily used to locate no-go limits while tacking/gybing close to shore. Previous nav was Navionics on an old tablet. After two months, super happy with the MapTattoo. Easy to read in any light and from any angle and through polarized sunglasses. Basic operations easy/intuitive to sort out. Battery life is just bonkers good. Buttons way easier to use while bouncing around on a small boat than the old tablet (or this) touch-screen. Tracking feature is very convenient/educational/entertaining.
Would like to see... 1) Option to change the scale of the boat-arrow, soundings and buoys independently, and 2) Note buoys by their color/number and not by name (e.g. "R 5" vs "Hopkinton Shoals Buoy").
Would definitely recommend this product.

Finally, a GPS unit that is readable in sunlight even while wearing sunglasses. Light weight, easy to use and no power cables to mess with. We cruise on a 30' sailboat and used it on our 4 week cruise on Georgian Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron this summer. I like the quick acquisition of satellites, long battery life and the magnification features. The imputing of waypoints is simple and it's easy to retrieve them with a touch of the screen. It's mounted on a universal tablet holder mated to a RAM system at the helm so it's easy to reach and view.
Hoping to see updated Small Craft Routes on Georgian Bay (AquaMaps?) available for next season as this area is not supported yet. Customer support has been excellent, all questions have been answered clearly and promptly.
Overall, I am very pleased with the unit.

This is a fantastic chart plotter that I got to use while sailing on the Bras d'or lakes last month. The e-ink screen is vastly superior to any regular LED / LCD screen in the sunlight and works great in low light as well. The built-in features are great, including the route features. Battery life is fantastic, and the device appears to be very rugged. Having touch and mechanical controls was a also a really good design idea. I had to contact the company for support, and I my problem was solved quickly and efficiently. Love it!

After 5 years of sailing with Navionics on an Ipad Mini, I no LONGER think about the battery dying during the sail, or getting up close to the screen to see what lies ahead. The Maptattoo screen is VERY readible in any daylight conditions and the battery can last many days. I use it primarily for avoiding shallow water when sailing a small keel boat in a lake where the wind takes the boat is the destination. I really appreciate the FWD option to tell me based on my current heading where I'll be in 1, 2, 5 Mins to know when to prepare to tack to avoid shallow water.

I just purchased my second Map Tattoo. I use one for long-distance coastal rowing and a second for racing dinghy sailboats. The robust design, waterproofing and easy to read screen are unmatched in the market. The device is super easy to use and intuitive. I particularly like the ability to load waypoints and marine features from my PC. This makes it super easy to plot long distance (20+ mile) rowing routes and, when I am racing, marks.

I just finished up a 2200+ kilometer solo kayaking trip from Vancouver BC up through South East Alaska into Glacier Bay and finally ending up in Skagway. For the duration I had MapTattoo on my deck.

I will be completely honest, I kept it in a soft, waterproof tablet case the whole time. It's not a reflection of the waterproofed quality of the device, but more a reflection that I don't trust any device to hold up to such prolonged wetness.
In the position it was in it was regularly under breaking waves, and I just wanted extra protection.

The battery this device has is phenomenal. I didn't have it powered on the whole time, but would power it on from time to time to check my location and my speed. Sometimes I would keep it on for hours at a time just so I could see my speed.

I did have a few instances where the screen would freeze when booting up, or the whole device would suddenly freeze up. In all instances I just turned the device off and on again to resolve.

I realized at one point that when trying to charge it from a battery pack with a USB-C connection that the battery pack was actually charging from the MapTattoo. I changed cords to a Type A to C style and was able to resolve. That's not really a mark against the device, but perhaps worth bearing in mind.

I wish it was possible to forgo the touch screen completely while still being able to access the tide and current information.

The details of the chart are a little imprecise when compared to the larger scale paper charts. As a kayaker I'd love for more information about the aggregate of the intertidal.

Overall it's a really good device. Perhaps not perfect for kayakers but a heck of a lot better than the other alternatives I've tried.

Just took our MapTattoo out for its first water trials and came away very impressed.

The first outing was a kayak tour to test basic functionality. It handled waypoints beautifully—automatically switching to the next waypoint when crossing the 90-degree threshold from the previous one. Very intuitive. Biggest takeaway from that trip: I missed the feedback from the device after switching to a different kayak.

Second trial was on a DIAM 24 in wet, spray-filled conditions. The standout feature here was the VMG (Velocity Made Good) calculation. On a boat that sails wide angles, it was incredibly useful to visualize the trade-off between speed and distance—really helped with tactical decision-making.

Feature request:
When actively sailing to a waypoint, the map view becomes less helpful since it’s often not within easy view of the helmsman. It would be great be able to switch to a simplified display option showing just the essentials:
• Speed
• Heading
• Distance to Target
• VMG
• Target Heading
• Degrees to Target

Basically, just the first two rows of data in a clear, compact view taking up the whole screen.

Overall: I love this device and would absolutely buy it again. Great tool.

I finished my first Singlehanded Farrallones race this past Saturday, organized by the San Francisco Singlehanded Sailing Society. I used Maptattoo to navigate the 84 mile, 17 hour trip from port to port (Berkeley marina). It was a big help! Conditions were lighter than expected.

Just completed a 3 day trip down the Hudson River and up the East River to Long Island Sound onboard my Catalina 18 with your Maptattoo showing the way. It performed perfectly and made finding a place to drop the hook so much easier. Already planning my next adventure. Thanks for a great product that actually lives up to the hype!

I usually sail in a Mariner 19 and the Maptattoo has been perfect for me as a single-hander. There is myriad shoaling around the mouths of rivers and creeks of the Southern Chesapeake, where I sail. Even with a depth finder on the boat, these areas can come up fast. I love the forward feature on the Maptattoo that lets me know when I am headed for trouble well in advance. I also get the current direction, obstructions, markers, speed and heading, now easy to read with a recent update. The Maptattoo gives me confidence to explore farther into unknown areas in this amazing water way. I also love the info after a day of sailing where I get the distance traveled, max speed, idle time, etc.

I am a 67 year old sailor. Started sailing offshore with my parents through the Pacific into the Atlantic in the early 70s. I was brought up using a sextant, charts, Zenith radio for time. When the first GPS, the Magellan unit, came out, I bought one wholesale while working at the Caneel Bay shipyard in St. John’s USVI for $1650.00. It changed our cruising lives just like the Chronometer did to past voyagers. A GPS unit is the cheapest boat insurance there is if used properly. Today finds me winding down after 80,000 sea miles to just cruising the BC coast where we now live ashore.

I bought your unit because we now cruise about in boats 20’ and under, the 50-hour battery life is fantastic, the traditional-looking chart format feels like home to me, growing up continuously using charts, and my old school navigation background to get about. The screen can be seen in any light. Just great. Your unit is easy to use, I like the large numbers for speed because in a small vessel going 5 knts +- it’s nice to be able to use to see current changes quickly in passages up here. Being outside in the rain, being able to have your unit as my helper in navigation with no worries of battery time, wet chart or guide book, seeing real-time position and speed is the next level up of today's navigation tool.

Used my new Maptatoo for a four night circumnavigation of Cypress Island. It worked great! So helpful to always be able to see how boat speed is affected by changes in sail trim, currents, etc. I think the battery was still well above 70% after 4 days on the water. The setting that shows in how many minutes I'll be at points on my current course is my favorite feature.

I recently purchased a MapTattoo for an upcoming Alaska kayak expedition where the long battery life and easily accessible current information will be very handy. Having used both cell phone apps and Garmin devices on previous trips the MapTattoo seems like a better option.

In preparation I’ve used it several times kayaking on San Francisco Bay. It’s highly readable sitting on my sprayskirt in bright sun and even in rougher conditions it didn’t seem affected by waves washing over. I really like the “fast forward” feature to quickly understand how the current is affecting my route. The black and white screen is generally ok - though it’s hard to see shipping lane boundaries. I wish there was a way to “bump up” the visibility of those.

I haven’t had a chance to download a route yet - and I found adding waypoints on the fly a bit exasperating. They get automatically “named” and the names sometimes don’t make a lot of sense. It would be nice if you were able to call up a master list of waypoints and be able to edit the names.

I got my MAPTATTOO for paddleboarding and kayaking, but also as a backup to the navagation equip on my 45 Columbia (Second Wind). I am in progress of refitting her for cruising and retirement (1 year away) I had not had the sails up in over 3 years but we got her out on the river here in Newport OR, and my MAPTATTOO worked great. Easy to read even in bright sun (rare in oregon). I have to figure a way to put a mount on my helm but even holding it or having it on the seat next to me was perfectly operable. Even my newbie (to sailing) wife had no problem reading and operating it. Didnt run aground once, and we were sailing at lowtide with a 7.5 foot draft.

Very impressive, will take a bit for me to retrain my visual acuity with the gray screen, but 100% massive improvement and being able to visually see outdoors and bright sunlight and most impressive support and customer service from Vincent

I have not used it yet but playing with it. It seems very simple and user-friendly. I’m taking it on a four day trip on Pensacola Bay called the Pensacola 120. I picked it because of the long battery life and easy to read and easy to use. Looking forward to using it I’ll let you know how it goes.

It is VERY wintery here in Northern Michigan, so I have not had my Maptattoo out on the water yet, but I have of course played around with it on land. What an awesome device! Very well made, solid, intuitive controls. I matched it up with a RAM® X-Grip® Universal Holder for 7"-8" Tablets and could not be happier! Erwan and the team are fantastically responsive. This GPS is a game changer for small boats.

Super nicely put together. There is very good documentation available too. The builders are responsive to queries and comments. An A++ product from a company of like minded adventures.

I am a very long time racing sailor in everything from small dinghies, beach cats, large multihulls, and keel boats. I race around the buoys and long distance races like the Mills race in western lake Erie around the islands in the western basin and also the Mackinac Island races from Chicago and Port Huron. This past summer I also helped return a Thomas 35 from Mackinac to Catawba Island in Lake Erie over 3 days. I have always used handheld Garmin GPS units for navigation and, upon learning about MAPTATTOO, wanted to upgrade so that I have the bigger screen while retaining the mobility of the handheld unit. I also liked the increased visibility that the screen allows in bright summer daylight while retaining, if not increasing, battery life. In other words, I could upgrade all the features I liked best without giving up anything and all at about the same price as I would pay for another handheld GPS. Since going after the MAPTATTOO, I have experienced nothing but helpful, patient, assistance and consideration from Erwan at MAPTATTOO. He has assured me that this will only continue to get better as they roll out future updates/upgrades as they have since product launch. I live along the shore of western Lake Erie and have Hydrobikes and small beach cats to use many days from my backyard and often take a GPS with me to know the distance of various features from my launch ramp and to mark features of interest which I can transfer to the new unit. I will use this very often in many ways and will benefit from its increased capabilities compared to the Garmin GPS that I have used so far.

I am in Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes. I have not purchased the Maptattoo, yet, but from most of the reviews it looks very interesting. I have a 16 ft open-bow family day boat that I used on many inland lakes throughout Michigan. As I read in some of the comments, it seems like it would be very very useful to include coverage of inland lakes and waterways that are not currently covered on the purchased chats. Is this function currently available and/or is there a roll out date for inland lakes coverage. I know in Michigan, alone, there are many thousands of inland lakes so this may be a daunting task. That function would be greatly appreciated and make the Maptattoo much more functional. Also, Does the Maptattoo as it is currently available, come with a function to track and display water depth in real time.? Is there a way to see video or screenshots of the functions in use.? Replies/comments appreciated: doschnerer@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance

First I would like to mention that my late wife and I went to Myrtle Beach for two weeks every year for over 25 years. We usually would spend the entire day under an umbrella enjoying the view and also reading books. I found out real quick that my color tablet did not work in the bright sun so I ordered a black and white E-reader which worked great. Who knew that a marine GPS could be invented along the same line as an E-reader? I applaud the inventor of the Maptattoo for realizing this potential.
I live on the Chesapeake Bay now and I'm adjacent to Ingram Bay Marina where I have a boat in a slip. I was not able to use the Maptattoo for several days due to the weather. However, living on the water I was able to acclimate myself to it from sitting on my dock. The video tutorial link that you get when you order one is great and I was able to learn about all the features along with my own trial and error experimenting with it. Everything functions as it should, both touch screen and buttons work great, battery life is great and the display is great in the sun. I own a 22 foot boat, a fishing kayak, a jet ski and even a paddle boat. This GPS works on all of these boats great as it is portable. Since receiving the Maptattoo I was able to go out twice in my 22 foot boat and had the Maptattoo mounted next to my onboard color GPS. I was able to see the Maptattoo much better in the sun even tho my onboard color GPS is a 9" screen. It appears that all the coordinates and depth information line up between the two also. I love that this unit is portable between the several watercraft that I own and although I don't stray too far with my kayak and paddle boat but I do with my jet ski and 22' Sea Fox.
Customer service is great as I receive emails from the inventor with updates and tips too.

I am updating my review, having previously noted that while I love my Maptattoo tablet, its utility was limited on small lakes that aren't on nautical charts. In September 2024 I purchased the new inland lakes maps for my region, and I have been very pleased. I now can use my Maptattoo more. I row on a series of small lakes connected by rivers; it's often hard to see where the outlet to the next lake in the chain is. Now I can load in routes that take me right through the chain and I spend a lot less time peering over my shoulder trying to find narrow channels. I also have started to go on night rows and I appreciate the back lighting feature at night. It's very bright and easy to read even on the low setting. I did have one problem with night operation, and that is while the Maptattoo screen lights up, the navigation buttons do not, and I can't see them without an external light source. My solution was to wear a red headlamp so that I'm not blinded by the glare.

I also really like the software update that makes it so that once you reach a waypoint in a track, it automatically switches to the next waypoint. And the fact that it automatically keeps you centered in the display. This reduces the number of times I have to touch the tablet, which is really important in rough water when it's hard to take my hands off the oars.

I got the MapTattoo as a reasonably priced alternative to a traditional electronic navigation system for my new-to-me 1981 Catalina 22’. The fact that the MapTattoo cost 20% of the cost of the boat was a bit of a struggle to get over, but the fact that it’s easily moved to my kayak as well mitigated that a bit. And in comparison to a traditional marine electronics system, it’s much more affordable.
As for the device, the physical qualities of it are good. It’s hand-holdable with a good non-slip surface and feels rugged. There’s an attachment point for a wrist loop or tether and I plan to add the quad-lock mount for mounting to my boat.
Using the device, it was relatively easy to figure out how to do what I wanted: zooming in/out is similar to an iPad, adding a waypoint was simple (though I have not figured out if I can edit the names), and the chart data for my area seems good.
The visibility of the display is a huge improvement from the iPad Pro I used on a previous outing on the boat, and I’d never take the iPad on the kayak due to size and lack of water resistance. The software works pretty well and seems to be under current development so is improving. That’s good because I have had the device lock up twice in a few hours of use. I figured out how to reset it with the power button both times, though not sure if it was the long-hold alone, the hold and triple click, or what, so that should probably be added to the user guide.
Overall, a pretty good device, a strong value proposition vs a traditional marine navigation system, easily installed and moved between boats, but with room for improvement in the software (like all devices with software).

I found a review on YouTube of MAPTATTOO and was very interested. I paddle a sea kayak and sail a dingy in San Diego. Paper charts on the kayak are easy, but using a phone, my Garmin watch or old Garmin hand-held GPS is challenging - especially in the evening or when in bigger waves. Paper charts are a challenge when single-handing a dingy amongst all the boaters in the bay, especially on the summer weekends. I was looking for a better way to manage my progress when I leave the bay for coastal paddles and dinghy cruising.

I have played around with OpenCPN for several years and was trying to integrate it into my boating, but I was never able to come up with something I liked. MAPTATTOO fit the bill, perfectly. The e-ink display is perfect for my usage. It only took a little adjustment to change from color charts to grey-scale - after 2 days use it is intuitive to me now (it probably helps that I spend lots of time there in the kayak) - and the outstanding readability in direct sunlight is awesome. And not having to have an electrical system in the boat is a huge plus.

I haven't taken it on an extended trip to check the battery life yet, but I didn't have to charge it until after 3 uses gives me hope.

The price seems high, but I think the product is worth it. Especially if they continue to update it. I am looking forward to inland maps, too.

Keep up the good work, MAPTATTOO, I think you have a great product with excellent potential on your hands.

I sail a Norseboat 21.5 and I paddle kayak and canoe on the Tred Avon and Choptank Rivers off the Chesapeake Bay. I have tried a hand held Garmin, but the screen is tiny and difficult to read in direct sunlight. I have used the Navionics app on both an iPhone and an iPad, but both are difficult to read in direct sunlight and battery life is very limiting.
MAPTATTOO solves these problems with its highly readable display and long battery life. It really is the perfect device for small boats and I even take it along on my larger boats as a back up.