Navionics app for IPad

Express 390

Express 390

Well-Known Member
Sep 14, 2018
661
South Shore of Long Island NY
Boat Info
1986 SeaRay 390 EC
1993 SeaRay 290 DA single 7.4 /Bravo 2
1992 SeaRay 230 DA 4.3LX Alfa drive
Engines
Twin 454 Crusaders inboards 4 blades
Hi i was in the market for another GPS so what i decided was to download the Navionics App
on my IPad cost $ 49.00 along with that i purchased the Garmin GLO portable and wireless
Antenna for $99.00 witch works with the App. So far i'm very happy with it, I boat the south
shore of Long Island and it's on the money! Anyone have the same result?
 
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That is my primary plotter and love it. I have an iPad with the built in gps, so no antenna needed. My 17 year old raymarine is a good backup if needed.
 
This is what I use, but my ns6000i took a crap, so I need to purchase a new gps now. Need to have a backup. I added an anti-glare screen protector to my iPad, that helped when the sun is low. Also, look into the nato mounts. I mounted two on the dash, nd just stick my iPad to it when underway. Evenlarge waves where I come slamming down don’t make the iPad move.
 
Does the new version of Navionics have Active Captain integration?

Had read somewhere it was supposed to be there late summer. I like the app.
 
FootballFan said:
Does the new version of Navionics have Active Captain integration?

Had read somewhere it was supposed to be there late summer. I like the app.
Click to expand...

I receive an email from Navionics that stated the end of the year for ActiveCapitan integration.

We’re Integrating with Navionics
If you’re using the Navionics Boating app, you’ll soon be able to access the ActiveCaptain community through your mobile device. We’ll be adding this capability before year-end 2018.
 
Used it for the season love it.
 
I've been using both GARMIN BCM and Navionics on my iPad for few years now, as my 3rd MFD, but very much in high use.

Both apps have their advantages. GBCM was my #1 choice due to great graphics (very user friendly) and most importantly integration with AC. Now that Garmin dropped support and charts update for BCM app, it became a no longer #1 reliable resource. I really don't get it and wish they took much more intelligent approach. I know they bought Navionics and working on getting it integrated with AC, but it's just stupid (from boating community point of view) to pull a plug on something so convenient and widely used. I guess it takes more than 1/2 a brain to develop new product and then sunset the other one. Just goes to show you that GARMIN could care less about boating community.

Navionics has good charts, the graphics are somewhat improved compared to Classic version of MFDs. Charts updates are pretty good and on occasions I had markers on Navionics which didn't show up on GBCM (that's before they dropped support). The app has very nice Autorouting feature, which I use all the time. Saved the day couple of times.

I see some folks are using iPad with apps as primary Nav aid. That's a bad idea. Obviously, if you're crossing a small bay or just going for a quick run, it's fine. But, if you're looking to put some serious mileage, you have to be real careful about this. My rule #1 is "always have a backup". This is where iPad is absolutely excellent. But, not as primary MFD.

Besides what you usually read in forums that iPads don't do well in heat (especially direct sun), and unless you have waterproof case, it'll be tossed if some water gets on it, I'd like to warn you that I've experienced a GPS signal loss as well.

None of the systems are 100% bulletproof, that's why redundancy is very important. I've had them fail individually number of times. But, between the 3 MFDs I have always on, one of them will always save the day.
 
Alex F said:
I've been using both GARMIN BCM and Navionics on my iPad for few years now, as my 3rd MFD, but very much in high use.

Both apps have their advantages. GBCM was my #1 choice due to great graphics (very user friendly) and most importantly integration with AC. Now that Garmin dropped support and charts update for BCM app, it became a no longer #1 reliable resource. I really don't get it and wish they took much more intelligent approach. I know they bought Navionics and working on getting it integrated with AC, but it's just stupid (from boating community point of view) to pull a plug on something so convenient and widely used. I guess it takes more than 1/2 a brain to develop new product and then sunset the other one. Just goes to show you that GARMIN could care less about boating community.

Navionics has good charts, the graphics are somewhat improved compared to Classic version of MFDs. Charts updates are pretty good and on occasions I had markers on Navionics which didn't show up on GBCM (that's before they dropped support). The app has very nice Autorouting feature, which I use all the time. Saved the day couple of times.

I see some folks are using iPad with apps as primary Nav aid. That's a bad idea. Obviously, if you're crossing a small bay or just going for a quick run, it's fine. But, if you're looking to put some serious mileage, you have to be real careful about this. My rule #1 is "always have a backup". This is where iPad is absolutely excellent. But, not as primary MFD.

Besides what you usually read in forums that iPads don't do well in heat (especially direct sun), and unless you have waterproof case, it'll be tossed if some water gets on it, I'd like to warn you that I've experienced a GPS signal loss as well.

None of the systems are 100% bulletproof, that's why redundancy is very important. I've had them fail individually number of times. But, between the 3 MFDs I have always on, one of them will always save the day.
Click to expand...


Thank you for your input, I enjoyed your thoughts !
 
I appreciate the crowd-sourced sonar maps in the Navionics app. We boat where the bottom changes often & the sonar charts are helpful.
 
I bought the Navionics app for my cell phone. It has the lake we boat on and I absolutely love it. Cost $10.00 and now I can tell where I am at, at any time. We boat at night and have been concerned with fog coming in and making it so we couldn't find our marina in the middle of the night. I cant say enough good about this app.
 
superwa said:
That is my primary plotter and love it. I have an iPad with the built in gps, so no antenna needed. My 17 year old raymarine is a good backup if needed.
Click to expand...

Ideally, you want to use the iPad as the backup. But we might just be debating semantics. I love the app. I use it too as a secondary to my Simrad chart plotter. But I’m with Alex. Don’t use it as your only navigational aid. This is why:
68AA4083-C9C0-4A7D-85F4-11965EB8468A.png
 
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