Iphone APP for GPS / Navigation ?

[DCLfan]

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.

Based on your description, the Merc VesselView mobile is similar, connects to thbe engine and gives you much of the data you can get on the smart gauges on the dash - but not depth, trim, air/lake temp, or fuel level - via Bluetooth. They have an app for phones and tablets, but the display seems intentionally hobbled so as not to compete with their higher-end displays, just real-time numbers, no analog gauges, no graphs. You can populate a few pages with the parameters of your choice. It allows you to enter the number of gallons of fuel when you gas up, and guesses at the tank level and available range as you go based on the gph numbers.

I was able to record the phone screen with another app, then play it back to make the charts I posted did on another thread. An ok tool, not as good as it could be.

[justpushplay]

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.

I'm really liking the Vexilar/Navionics combo, and I'm sitting here wanting to pull the trigger. My only reservation is mounting the transducer. It looks like the transducer pigtail has a connector on it, and I'm reluctant to cut a hole that large in the boat. It's a 92 255 Condurre, so it's possible to drill into the bottom of the swim platform so I'm not compromising the transom. Still, that's a big hole! How did you mount yours? My understanding is you can do a thru-hull install if you're willing to sacrifice the water temperature feature and some sensitivity, but I would rather drill a tiny hole and cut and splice the cable. How did you install yours?

[justpushplay]

Aw hell. I went for the instant gratification and ordered the Vexilar unit. I'll cut and splice the cable and post the results here. Amazon doth vex me!!!

[iboatmon]

I'm really liking the Vexilar/Navionics combo, and I'm sitting here wanting to pull the trigger. My only reservation is mounting the transducer. It looks like the transducer pigtail has a connector on it, and I'm reluctant to cut a hole that large in the boat. It's a 92 255 Condurre, so it's possible to drill into the bottom of the swim platform so I'm not compromising the transom. Still, that's a big hole! How did you mount yours? My understanding is you can do a thru-hull install if you're willing to sacrifice the water temperature feature and some sensitivity, but I would rather drill a tiny hole and cut and splice the cable. How did you install yours?

I am sorry it took so long to get back to you!

I used epoxy and put it just in front of the motor at the bottom of the boat for a "thru the hull" installation. I ran the cable from the transducer to the wi-fi control box I mounted near the battery switch. I extended the length of the power supply wires to one of the batteries, after adding a 1 Amp fuse in the red line. It works quite well, except for high speeds, when it is not really needed anyway. I am totally against drilling any holes in the boat!

[justpushplay]

I am sorry it took so long to get back to you!

I used epoxy and put it just in front of the motor at the bottom of the boat for a "thru the hull" installation. I ran the cable from the transducer to the wi-fi control box I mounted near the battery switch. I extended the length of the power supply wires to one of the batteries, after adding a 1 Amp fuse in the red line. It works quite well, except for high speeds, when it is not really needed anyway. I am totally against drilling any holes in the boat!

Sorry for taking so long to follow up on my post!:-)

I still haven't installed the Vexilar SP200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder sonar transducer on the boat. (squirrels!) But I did take a look at the cable. It's simply a 3 conductor shielded cable, and the connectors on the sonar cable and the electronics are four pin connectors most commonly used on 2-way radio microphones. So it's easy to cut and re-solder at the connector, or if needed, build a new extension cable.

I just need to finish compounding/polishing/waxing the transom and oh so carefully drill the mounting and cable entrance (1/4") holes. I'm going to match the placement of the pitot tube holes on the opposite side, and hope I don't get too much 'noise' from the close proximity of the duo props churning away.

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[justpushplay]

I thought I would do a quick follow up on the Velar install. First off here's the pinout data so you can cut the transducer cable and resolver it:

Pin 1: Black and shield tied together
Pin 2: Blue
Pin 3: Blank
Pin 4: Yellow

I can't remember which one is data and power. Everything else is pretty straightforward. I mounted the Vexilar unit under my dash and powered it off a an accessory switch, the Vexilar has its own in-line fuse. I pulled the transducer cable with a fish tape in the factory wiring harness trough so the cable didn't end up running through one of the side pockets. I replaced the speedometer pitot tube on the transom and used the same matching hardware on the transducer so both sides will match. (Yeah, I know.....) I'm using an iPad Mini with GPS for the display, it will get the WiFi signal from the Vexilar, and my iPhone will be it's internet hot spot via Bluetooth, meaning I've got weather radar etc, and my entire 190 gig iTunes library via iCloud at my fingertips. The iPad will also be running Navionics, so I'm pretty impressed getting all that functionalaity at this price. I found a really cheap windshield suction cup mount on Amazon for $10 (!) that placed the iPad perfectly where I wanted. It grips VERY well!



I also installed a 5 port USB charging distro under the dash to keep everything powered. Between all that and a new new VHF radio and antenna, I'm pretty happy!

Michael

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[justpushplay]

Here's the Amazon link:



I wouldn't let me post it in the previous post.


Edit: It STILL won't let me post the link. Help?

[akorcovelos]

Here is your link:
Car Dashboard Windshield Tablet Mount, ... gDbYJWXC8H

I am doing exactly what you are, my stuff should be here by Wednesday. Been testing Navionics on my phone and like it better than my old Lowrance. My mount is slightly different but same concept. Can’t wait to hear your report on how it works. I won’t get the vexlar installed before the holiday, but I’ll have the iPad mounted with Navionics running, can’t wait.

[justpushplay]

I ran Navionics for the first time on my iPhone riding the Sea Doo's this past weekend, and I was pretty impressed. I couldn't use the features very well since it was in the compartment all day, but it was fun to look at the data after we got home. We had no idea we had covered 30 miles.

BTW, thanks for fixing my link!

[BobRae99]

I ran Navionics for the first time on my iPhone riding the Sea Doo's this past weekend, and I was pretty impressed. I couldn't use the features very well since it was in the compartment all day, but it was fun to look at the data after we got home. We had no idea we had covered 30 miles.

BTW, thanks for fixing my link!

THe problem with Navions starts when you get out of the cell coverage area, right?

[Driller]

Problem with Navionics on my cell phone was it would time out and I would have to touch the screen to get a picture again. Frustrating.

[akorcovelos]

Navionics uses the internal GPS or external GPS card, cell
Coverage has nothing to do with it.

Problem with Navionics on my cell phone was it would time out and I would have to touch the screen to get a picture again. Frustrating.

I had this problem too, you need to have the iPad/iPhone hooked up to power for it to stay on. When plugged in to the 12v power supply it stays on.

[justpushplay]

THe problem with Navions starts when you get out of the cell coverage area, right?

No, the maps reside on your phone (iPad, tablet, device, etc.) after downloading them. You only need a device with GPS capability for full functionality.

[AsLan7]

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I’ve been a Navionics and Fishing Spots fan for boating navigation on our IPad and IPhone.

My dad turned me on to a new free boating navigation app today. It’s called Argo.

Anyone here use it?

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