Ipad, etc... Gizmos?

JC3

JC3

Well-Known Member
Oct 6, 2006
1,336
Kentucky
Boat Info
N/A
Engines
N/A
Alright you tech guys lets be some help here. I am a Tech novice ie:Stupid. I read a post about all the
differant apps for these gadgets and what they can do as it relates to boats. Question, Is there an app that would serve like a small chartpltter? GPS,Route, track back, water depth and such things as weather, wave ht, wind direction approaching storms direction, you know like weather XM. Anchor alarm would be nice. Whats out there and what device does an ole guy need? Thanks everyone. I really do appreciate your help! JC
 
I have a Droid 2 with Verizon. Just moved to a new lake from the river so last week I downloaded the Navionics Mobile app with maps of my lake region at a cost of $14.00. We went out to watch fireworks on Saturday about a 7 mile trip through a narrow finger to the main lake. I hit the track button when we left the dock to plot the course. After firework show it is pitch black with no moon. I call the track back up and it displayed my position as a small triangle with a long red line showing my direction in relation to the track line. As we returned I stayed on the track line with an occasional spotlight to the bank since I was not sure of the reliability of the software. It worked perfectly. I could have driven back just watching the phone and never needed the spotlight. This app will do a ton of other things I have yet to explore but so far I am very impressed. They do make this app for the Iphone and Ipad.

Only hint I can provide is when you download make sure you are connected to a network. The initial install is quick. However the first time you open the app, it will download all the lake maps for your region. The download told me 12 hours to complete but once I hooked direct to a wireless network it took less than 1 hour.
 
Early this year, we were in the lower keys, running w/ some friends on a 23M Princess (same boat is 75' Viking Sport Cruiser MY), when all of the bridge electronics went down. The captain whipped out his iPad, pulled up the Navionics app (like BCB did), and were up and running. Good thing too...while we were working on the problem, we had drifted out of Hawks Channel, and were sitting in 6.5' of water...in a boat that draws close to 6'. YIKES.

The system worked well for us. Was a great backup (in coastal areas, where you still have signal).
 
Oh yea, another great thing about the Navionics app is you do NOT need a cell phone signal. The positioning works strictly off of GPS. They have several instruction videos on their website, 3-4 minutes each, that give a good overview of the app.
 
I have been using the Navionics App for more than a year and it works brilliantly. Much faster redraw speed than my E120s and has always shown my position. Would only want to use it as a backup though.

Paul
 
Thanks Guys! This is helping. Does IPAD2 OR any of the other pc tablets have gps on them. Would love to use these features ie: Anchor alarm and
such as back ups in the Florida Keys and Bimni area. Keep the info coming. Thanks, JC
 
You have to get the ipad 3G version to get the GPS chip. You don't have to buy the data service if you don't want it. The wifi only ipads don't have the gps chip in them.
 
relentless1996 said:
I have a 3g ipad 2 and was looking for the navionics marine app but the only one I can find is $69.99

Scott
Click to expand...

Hell of a lot cheaper than another GPS! I use that app on my IPAD most all of the time while on the water.
 
relentless1996 said:
I have a 3g ipad 2 and was looking for the navionics marine app but the only one I can find is $69.99

Scott
Click to expand...

I purchased Navionics about a year ago for $45 NZD and now I see it is listed for $99 NZD.... They must have put the price up as it has become so popular?
I love it and it has saved our bacon at night time on a couple of occasions. In NZ we can edit the charts to add info, Is it the same in the States?
 
Ditto on the Navionics app. It is great on the IPAD I have it on the IPHONE as well. Also if you do get a data plan on the IPAD then as long as you have coverage you have netflix and hulu for TV if needed. I like Boating Weather it downloads the local NOAA coastal forecast. It's iphone only but its convient. Also have WindGuru also iphone only but will take the wind forecasts and show you the models good for aligning currents on the ipad with wind to get wave conditions. Then I also like the Weather Channel app for radar. Everything needs a data connection to work 3G or WiFi. I just got the SeaSucker RAM mount like Turtle's and it is great!

I really enjoy the ipad.

Also if you get a WiFi only model you can get a BadELF GPS which will bond via bluetooth and works with Navionics. Or if you have a spare bluetooth gps lying around you can jailbreak the ipad and for $5 get BT-GPS to allow you to use any bluetooth gps with the ipad and the Navionics app. I do this and it works out great.

Take Care!!
 
Agree 1000% on IPAD2 3G & Navionics! Using it on Chesapeake Bay trip & it has worked flawlessly. I particularly like it's line of bearing function & fact you have satellite imagery overlays that enable quick reference of land features. It also allows quick change of locations & zoom, with already mentioned short refresh times.

I also agree that it probably shouldn't be your primary nav/chart plotter. Why? It isn't built for marine conditions & you might not always be in range for quick chart updates. However, biggest reason is that Navionics doesn't allow same waypoint storage capacity as a typical chart plotter--only about one-tenth.

Finally, I'd also get the "SeaSucker" IPAD mount to ensure firm/secure mount on dash.

BL: I'm becoming a HUGE IPAD/Navionics fan!
 
I have the otterbox for my iphone and it's great. They have an otterbox for the ipad, I'm getting one as soon as I can figure out how to use it with the ram mount. fully encased in rubber covering all the openings from spray and rain with a screen protector. The ultimate boating computer.

51G5rD1ISsL._AA300_.jpg
 
Last edited:
Turtlesboat said:
I have the otterbox for my iphone and it's great. They have an otterbox for the ipad, I'm getting one as soon as I can figure out how to use it with the ram mount. fully encased in rubber covering all the openings from spray and rain with a screen protector. The ultimate boating computer.

51G5rD1ISsL._AA300_.jpg
Click to expand...

Have you figured this out yet? I like the Otterbox design and also like the SeaSucker RAM mount. Do you know if compatible?
 
I have a Droid X, bought the Navionics app and it works great. So well, that I bought the HDMI adapter and plugged it into a 15" LCD screen to basically mimic a huge Chartplotter screen.
Downsides, the app has no alarms (ie drift) It does have a great search feature for marina's, fuel, docks.
You do need the IPad2 3G for the GPS chip, the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 has the chip as well.
 
Ephi82 said:
Have you figured this out yet? I like the Otterbox design and also like the SeaSucker RAM mount. Do you know if compatible?
Click to expand...


Yes, Ram just came out with a new mount that fits the ipad with the otterbox case. $26, just replace the old case with this new one.

ramholtab3iu1a.jpg
 
Last edited:
Turtlesboat said:
Yes, Ram just came out with a new mount that fits the ipad with the otterbox case. $26, just replace the old case with this new one.

ramholtab3iu1a.jpg
Click to expand...


Say 'Chimp-atar' where did you get the Otter box Ram mount for $26.00? I have the Sea Sucker mount and I bolted an Otter Box front cover to it and just put the Ipad in it. I also added velcro strips across the bottom and top to assist with holding it in
 
Last edited:
If it weren't for a full blown PC on my bridge, where would I find the pleasure of dealing with companies like Microsoft and Rose Point?
 
You could always jab pencils into your eyes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,193
Messages
1,428,281
Members
61,104
Latest member
Three Amigos
Back
Top