Android phone GPS app....

[CliffA]

smartphone Navionics app....

i am currently 'between' GPS's as my faithfull handheld Lowrance H2Oc just died on me....i have been wanting to upgrade to a 5" screen marine GPS anyways, but right now i don't have the extra funds to do so...so in the interim i downloaded an app on my Droid 3 smartphone from Navionics (Navionics Mobile - $10) that is a marine navigation app....it has access to maps for all of the US coast and inland lakes that have a good amount of detail and a search function to find POI like marinas or restaurants....you can also plot routes, track your routes, and save favorite locations and include photos if wanted....it also has lots of other features that you would want and need in a GPS.....i have a suction cup 'dock' for this phone as well that i mount to the windshield that keeps the phone charged and keeps the screen on all the time in the 'landscape' orientation...i use the phone now as a GPS when i am driving and it works very well...i was thinking i can use the phone and dock in my boat for a marine GPS for the time being until i can get a regular marine GPS....i have not tested the Navionics app on the water yet but i have used it to track my drive to and from work and have marked a few favorite landings on local lakes...it seems to work well...

has anyone used this app on the water and if so how did it perform?....i know i can't get the phone wet during bad weather so that is one limitation i have to consider....

thanks...

cliff

 

[hammerma]

Thanks for the info. Dont have it but i will.
Mike

 

[Trucky]

You could use an Otterbox case for your Droid 3. While not waterproof, they are water resistant and would help you survive the odd spray or splash.

Does the Navionics app require an active data connection to work or are the maps available in an offline mode?

 

[Hardtimes]

I agree with Cliff, and yes, ive used it on the water. My intentions for initially buying the app were to supplement navigation until I ordered a new GPS, however, the app work so well for what I needed that I still have not purchased a new GPS. I definitely recommend the app. Obviously, using a small screen can be difficult at high speeds in choppier water. So, When planning your routes, just ensure you plan with good detail so that it's easier to track while underway.

Shane

 

[ChuckW]

I use Earth NCs app for droid. Online mode is free, pay to download regions for offline mode. It's not primary for me, just a nice backup and handy for "away from the helm" times when I want to monitor things going on.

 

[CliffA]

You could use an Otterbox case for your Droid 3. While not waterproof, they are water resistant and would help you survive the odd spray or splash.

Does the Navionics app require an active data connection to work or are the maps available in an offline mode?

thanks...i'll look into the Otterbox...you need to have the GPS antenna and GPS software active so i'm not sure if this requires an active data connection....the maps are stored on a separate SD card....not sure if the maps can be accessed in offline mode.....i'm not real savy on this type of stuff....just know the basics....

 

[chandalen]

I use Navionics great lakes, AND Earth NC HD. Earth NC FINALLY fixed the downloading map tiles issues which allows no-wifi naviagation

I LOVE Navionics, Earth NC is OK. I have noticed they are both VERY accurate, but I have a driod Bionic which has a very good internal GPS. I also use Navionics on my Icona 500 with great success. Navionics will not let me download (for free) the Great Lakes edition to my Toshiba Thrive, because its an HD device and Navioncs frankly wants my $50. So on my Thrive I use Earth NC.

The maps are the same, Navionics just displays it better with overlays available. Earth NC is more of a paper looking map feel. Accuracy is TOTALLY dependant on your device. Some phones and tablets do not have a REAL GPS antenna, they simulate GPS by cell tower or wifi referance.

I can not stress this enough >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
These devices are not designed for GPS navigation!!!!!!!!!
They may be really good at it but for the love of your life NEVER NEVER trust a non-GPS hand held in unfamiliar waters esp at night.

I have the tablet set up so I can glance down see approx depths for the area etc, when it comes to true navigation or shallow areas I rely on my Humminbird and slow speeds.

 

[CliffA]

thanks for the 'heads up' on using the app as a GPS....i never boat at night so that isn't an issue for me....i boat on inland lakes 99% of the time and the ICW the other 1%....the main function i need from a gps is the ability to get me back to my home dock if i am boating in a new lake or on the ICW and to find a marina for gas and restaurants...this app should work nicely for that...

cliff

 

[greenray]

I just tested this app on a flowage loaded on an htc inspire. It worked awesome, was very accurate and worked seamlessly at all speeds. Because I was going up a narrow channel I could visually check the apps accuracy and double checked depth with my boats depth sounder, for $10 it's a bargain. The color depth alarm display is a great feature as well for avoiding shallow areas. Highly recommended.

 

[CliffA]

I just tested this app on a flowage loaded on an htc inspire. It worked awesome, was very accurate and worked seamlessly at all speeds. Because I was going up a narrow channel I could visually check the apps accuracy and double checked depth with my boats depth sounder, for $10 it's a bargain. The color depth alarm display is a great feature as well for avoiding shallow areas. Highly recommended.

i had a chance to use it more indepth last week and also found it to be very satisfactory for my needs.....now i can spend the $700 i had put aside for a GPS to recover a couple seats.....:smt001