Iphone APP for GPS / Navigation ?

[hutchug]

Hi! New to the group but really have gotten great answers so far. Pulling the trigger on a R5, but was interested in any APPS people would recomned for chart plotting, GPS for the Great Lakes areas?

Thanks!

[juddmyers]

I am using navionics with an ipad as a chartplotter and it is working great.

[thunder550]

I used Navionics on my Android phone as well, hard to beat it for $10/year or whatever it is.

[Big Block Power]

I used Navionics on my Android phone as well, hard to beat it for $10/year or whatever it is.

Yes you might get lost on lake pleasant going in a circle. Lol

[Driller]

I’ve used both. The app works well, but I prefer the chart plotter. Easier to use, frees my phone up for music, and is one less piece of loose electronics to worry over.

[thunder550]

I used Navionics on my Android phone as well, hard to beat it for $10/year or whatever it is.

Yes you might get lost on lake pleasant going in a circle. Lol

Don't underestimate me

[jma2@fuse.net]

My brother is a private boat captain, and he uses Navionics as a supplement to the onboard boat navigation systems. On one trip, the onboard navigation failed, and he used Navionics on his iPhone to safely navigate through difficult intercostal waters. That said, I only boat in one area in the mid-west, and only need one sector/chart.

I recently tried several apps available for my iPad, which include, Boating (Navionics), SEAiq, i-Boating, iSailor, and Aqua Map. Most of these apps are 1-year subscription based, after which chart updates are no longer available. Subscription prices vary between $15 to $50. My needs are simple--I just want to track where I am on the lake (800 miles of shoreline); plan routes; and mark POIs. All of the apps used the built-in GPS on my iPad just fine. Although Navionics was great, it was overkill for my needs based on the subscription price ($49 year). The i-Boating app seemed to be the most popular at the app store, so I took a serious look at it. However, I did not like the i-Boating app--the interface was confusing, orientation was backwards, and I didn't like the map overlay. For me the app interface must be intuitive when underway, and I found myself having to stop several times to figure out how to use it and reorient the map. Perhaps its user error, as the i-Boating app has high reviews on the app store. SEAiq and iSailor did not have charts for my lake without purchase, but of the two, I really liked the SEAiq interface.

The app I liked the best was Aqua Map, which has a lite version with limited features--you can only download one map, have limited pin-drops, and cannot plan routes. The full-featured version is currently $14.99, which I'm considering buying. The app was easy to use underway, oriented properly, and it's easy to drop pins for POIs. In addition, I really liked the visual appeal of the map overlay. For me it was the best looking overlay of all the apps. I recently purchased the Easy Connect Interface for my Volvo engine, which also has a map (but for non-navigational uses). I'm looking forward to trying this out to see how it works and if it will suit my needs.

[iboatmon]

I have been using Navionics Boat USA iOS App coupled with the Vexilar SP200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder, on my iPhone and iPad. This gives me detailed HD charts of Lake Tahoe on the iPad, with sonar data, plus dept contour plotting, as well. The SP200 comes with a transducer and control box that creates its own Wi-Fi on the boat, so anyone with a smartphone or iPad on the boat can see the charts and sonar. The Navionics App picks up the sonar data from the SP200 and shows it with the Navionics charts in split screen mode. The SP200 is $149 on Amazon and the Navionics Boat USA is $49.95 on the App Store. I believe the initial app purchase includes the first year of updates and premium features (Navionics+) and renewal is $24.95 each year thereafter. Not too bad for having these fabulous charts and sonar data in HD on a 9" screen.

[JTinMO]

iboatman,
can you please post some pics of your rig with the iPad mounted? I've been trying to do the same and can only envision a Ram mount suction cup to the windshield.

[iboatmon]

iboatman,
can you please post some pics of your rig with the iPad mounted? I've been trying to do the same and can only envision a Ram mount suction cup to the windshield.

I am using the Nato Smart Magnetic Mount. I will post a picture next time I am on the boat using the iPad.

[Nealcj8]

I’m interested in your setup with the iPad also. Is it a mini or a full size iPad?

[iboatmon]

I’m interested in your setup with the iPad also. Is it a mini or a full size iPad?

I am using a full-size, 9 inch iPad. I will try to post a picture soon.

[jma2@fuse.net]

Here is my set-up with my iPad and iPad Mini. On the Mini, I'm using the Volvo Easy Connect app. On the regular iPad, I'm using AquaMap for navigation on the lake. Both sit fine on the dash during regular cruising--unless I catch a big wake or wave. I'll figure out a more permanent solution some day.

IMG_2185.JPG

[iboatmon]

Here is my set-up with my iPad and iPad Mini. On the Mini, I'm using the Volvo Easy Connect app. On the regular iPad, I'm using AquaMap for navigation on the lake. Both sit fine on the dash during regular cruising--unless I catch a big wake or wave. I'll figure out a more permanent solution some day.


IMG_2185.JPG

Wow... Nice! How is the Volvo App connected to get readouts? Is there something similar for Merc?

[jma2@fuse.net]

To use the app, you need to purchase the Easy Connect Interface (about $319 from my local VP dealer). The interface connects to a wiring harness on the engine and broadcasts a bluetooth signal, which connects with my iPad. You don't pick any new data that isn't otherwise available on your dash, and some data cannot be picked up unless you install a NMEA backbone and adaptors to the boat sensor, e.g., depth, fuel, trim. I don't know if Mercury has anything similar.