Iphone Chart App Recommendation

[Creekwood]

I'm looking for a recommendation for either a free or inexpensive chart plotter app. I'm only really looking for one for the inland lakes of Wisconsin. I have a 185 sport so I'm not going on the ocean or anything like that. However sometimes i take it on Lake Michigan. I'm really just looking for something to tell me the depths of lakes and where channel markers are. Thanks

Wow. Winter makes some people all angry and preachy!
Navionics is great. Its relatively cheap but has great features. If your lakes are in the database, you may have "Sonar chart" which is a highly detailed chart that is fantastic for fishing. The Navionics web site has Chartviewer that you can use to see exactly what your lakes will look like so you can try it out for free.

 

[ZZ13]

Well. I have been running Navionics on iPad for 4 years as my primary nav device. I run up and down the east coast between DC and southern Florida. Taken it on multiple boats with me that I have moved for the owners. Been in 100 degree days for up to 11 hours. Never had the iPad go down. It's been one of the most reliable, beneficial and cost effective additions to my boating.

That said, I had a 175 Sport and put a Garmin 441s in it, which was state of the art at the time. I'd probably do that (install a small fish finder/chart device) if I where the op and I wanted to see fish. Otherwise I'd put navionics on my phone and call it done.

 

[Todd320]

Let’s not forget the many things you can do with Navionics/tablet that zero expensive installed MFDs can do:
1) plan your trip from the comfort of your home
2) review all of your previous tracks, where you went, how long it took to get there, and how far.
3) I like playing back the trip and then timing how long it took me to get anchored. It usually feels like 30 minutes when I’m on the water, but turns out to be more like 5.
(Last trip 2 weekends ago was bad though, anchor was not holding, so I pulled it up, it was caught on a cable, took at least 5 minutes just to get disconnected from the cable).
4) easily take your nav solution home keeping it out of the elements
5) easily update the software (usually automatically while you sleep).
6) easily update charts with a push of a button.
7) most importantly, check in and see what’s happening on clubsearay.com!

My iPad has locked up twice while boating, in 2.5 years. I live in FL, typically the soft top provides enough shade. On the rare occasion it is getting direct sunlight, I move it. I use Navionics + iPad 12” WiFi + garmin Bluetooth GPS (100$) as my primary and my Northstar 6000i as a backup. Eventually, I’ll upgrade to a Simrad NSS, but I’ll still use my iPad as primary nav, and the simrad will probably have the radar chart up. 3500$ is pretty steep though (1700 9” MFD + 1500 radar dome + misc) so I’m trying to hold off!

 

[scooper321]

You say it works fine and hasn't let you down.

This is some of my favorite logic. Many otherwise smart people use it, thinking it proves what they’ve always done is safe/correct/Ok. It doesn’t.

“I’ve never needed a PFD/VHF/flare before and everything’s been fine...”

“I’ve never worn a seat belt in my life and everything’s been fine”

“I’ve driven home from the bar way worse than I am now, and everything’s been fine”

I like a spirited debate. But bad logic irks me more than a give way vessel failing to give way!

 

[Stee6043]

This is some of my favorite logic. Many otherwise smart people use it, thinking it proves what they’ve always done is safe/correct/Ok. It doesn’t.

“I’ve never needed a PFD/VHF/flare before and everything’s been fine...”

“I’ve never worn a seat belt in my life and everything’s been fine”

“I’ve driven home from the bar way worse than I am now, and everything’s been fine”

I like a spirited debate. But bad logic irks me more than a give way vessel failing to give way!

Ohh geeze.....comparing USCG required safety gear to nav gear is a bit silly. If it were critically important to the survival of man and vessel it would be a legal requirement to have a chartplotter. Or a paper chart??? But it's not. It's no different than driving a car. Put your seatbelt on, indeed, but skip the Tom Tom or map in the glove box if you're only ever going to drive to the grocery store and back and know how to read street signs. Sure, if you're going to drive to grandmas 1,000miles away you may want to consider a nice atlas (do they still make those?) or a Garmin.

I think you ocean guys may give us inland guys too much credit.

This is a fun discussion. Well suited to February!

 

[joeyleggz]

I was considering using a tablet with the nav apps in addition to my RayMarine set up but since I go off shore a lot of fish further than 15 miles kind of guessing that the cell service The phones and iPads would run on drops out So that would not be a good navigation aid for anybody that runs there boat off shore or travels more than 15/20 miles offshore on a good note see attached photo

 

[Creekwood]

Grumpy northern boaters. Shheeesh
Wiarton Willy (Ontario Punxsutawney Phil) and Phil did NOT see thier shadow today. It’s goign to be an early spring. Smiles everyone.

 

[scooper321]

Ohh geeze.....comparing USCG required safety gear to nav gear is a bit silly. If it were critically important to the survival of man and vessel it would be a legal requirement to have a chartplotter. Or a paper chart??? But it's not. It's no different than driving a car. Put your seatbelt on, indeed, but skip the Tom Tom or map in the glove box if you're only ever going to drive to the grocery store and back and know how to read street signs. Sure, if you're going to drive to grandmas 1,000miles away you may want to consider a nice atlas (do they still make those?) or a Garmin.

I think you ocean guys may give us inland guys too much credit.

This is a fun discussion. Well suited to February!

No. I wasn’t comparing the comments. I was using examples to show why your logic is flawed. Saying “it worked so far and nothing has happened” is not proof that something is ok. Just add “yet” to the end and you’ll see why. If you want to debate whether using a tablet is a good idea, that’s fine. Let’s discuss! But it’s not proof that it’s ok just because it hasn’t failed you yet. That’s what I was pointing out.

 

[Creekwood]

We are overdue for a Honda portable generator debate. There. I said it.

 

[NorCal Boater]

We are overdue for a Honda portable generator debate. There. I said it.

OK....Let's not bring the Honda in yet.

Look....I said, in my humble opinion.... and it is that, my opinion. This debate will become epic like Ford or Chevy, Merc or Volvo Penta, Bud or Coors and Honda generators or not. As I mentioned, we have 4 iPads in the house for 2 of us. We don't take a crap without taking an iPad with, and I just bought a new one with more storage as I was using an iPad 3. And on several occasions since I bought it, it has frozen/locked up on me. Now you know when that happens while underway while using a navigation app it will be at the worst possible moment when you don't really have time to reboot it. I have never, ever had that happen with any of the MFDs I've had on the last 4 boats. Could it happen? Sure. But my backup is a drawer full of paper charts, dividers and a parallel rule....and the knowledge to use them. How many of you APP users have those items on your boats or even know what they are?

And Todd....I have the Navionics apps on my iPads and I do plan my trips from the comfort of my home. The difference is I can take my iPad to the boat and wirelessly upload the trip to my SIMRAD GO5. While my boat is in the carport the Simrad is in wi-fi range and it does the updates as soon as I turn it on and tell it to look for updates, plus it does many of the things you listed. But it does not receive cell transmissions but then again, neither does my new iPad.

This debate will continue for a long time. I'm an older, experienced offshore boater and while I will not hesitate to use a tablet device and a navigation app as a backup, it will never be my primary source.
Shawn

 

[ZZ13]

I have an iPad, an iPad mini, my phone and my wife's phone on board all running navionics scattered all over the boat. I bought all these for non boating reasons and take advantage of their availability to run navionics. Plus I have the factory old Raymarine in the dash tracking the route as well. The risk of suddenly being in an unsafe condition due to a device failure is zero. There are backups to backups to backups. I use the iPad as primary because it's navionics user interface is an exact match to what data I want to see and how I want to provide input.

Not an opinion, just a factual representation of my nav environment.

 

[dtfeld]

Let’s not forget the many things you can do with Navionics/tablet that zero expensive installed MFDs can do:
1) plan your trip from the comfort of your home
2) review all of your previous tracks, where you went, how long it took to get there, and how far.
3) I like playing back the trip and then timing how long it took me to get anchored. It usually feels like 30 minutes when I’m on the water, but turns out to be more like 5.
(Last trip 2 weekends ago was bad though, anchor was not holding, so I pulled it up, it was caught on a cable, took at least 5 minutes just to get disconnected from the cable).
4) easily take your nav solution home keeping it out of the elements
5) easily update the software (usually automatically while you sleep).
6) easily update charts with a push of a button.
7) most importantly, check in and see what’s happening on clubsearay.com!

My iPad has locked up twice while boating, in 2.5 years. I live in FL, typically the soft top provides enough shade. On the rare occasion it is getting direct sunlight, I move it. I use Navionics + iPad 12” WiFi + garmin Bluetooth GPS (100$) as my primary and my Northstar 6000i as a backup. Eventually, I’ll upgrade to a Simrad NSS, but I’ll still use my iPad as primary nav, and the simrad will probably have the radar chart up. 3500$ is pretty steep though (1700 9” MFD + 1500 radar dome + misc) so I’m trying to hold off!

Actually, the Navionics can do most if not all of that list and transfer it to my MFD. But I don't think its really an either or proposition.

If he wants cheap and free, these apps will do a damn fine job, just be aware, there may be situations and or limitations to those solutions. Mounting is an issue that needs to be addressed as well. Only the skipper can make that judgement.

If the need and mission require better equipment and as the budget allows, more equipment can be added. I still carry my ipad and use it for planning and it can also act as a second chart plotter with the Ray Control App.

My advice is research a little bit, make a small investment (Navionics I think it $50/year). Evaluate.

Does it work for you? If yes, then you have your solution. If not, repeat the evaluation and see if there is something out there that fills the need. Buy used/refurbished. The equipment you have can be sold to fund your next purchase if need be.

Boating is expensive enough, but you dont have to break the bank. Its just more fun when you do!

 

[scooper321]

We are overdue for a Honda portable generator debate. There. I said it.

 

[Searayguy185]

As an older boater, and one that has been boating fo more than 50 years, I prefer to use navigation tools that are purpose-built. On my 52' CPMY I had a fully integrated Raymarine navigation suite with GPS, Chart Plotter, Sonar, Radar and Auto-pilot all networked through 12" displays at both stations. Between my wife and I we have 3 iPhones and 4 iPads. It's pathetic how neither one of us can do anything without a device close by. But as much as I love and use them, there is no way in the world I would think of making any trip in a boat with an app on an iPhone/iPad as my main source of navigation.

Stee60.… You say it works fine and hasn't let you down. Will you know what to do if it does?

The OP says he wanted something for trips on Lake Michigan to see buoys and underwater objects. I commend him for being responsible. In his case I would recommend the SIMRAD GO XSE Series. (GO5, 7, 9, etc.)
View attachment 64800
I installed the 5" (seen above) in the new helm of my '85 Cobalt CM23 restoration project. These new units have full touch-screen technology (pinch-to-zoom, etc.), support all chart formats (Navionics, BlueChart, C-MAP, etc.), are wi-fi capable and if you have Navionics, for example, on your phone or tablet you can connect and download your charts. The GPS antenna is built-in and the unit is very compact and perfect for smaller helms. It's available as a GPS unit only or with a fish finder as well. And depending on the transducer purchased it has SideScan/DownScan technology available. https://simrad.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/71725/Simrad-GO5.html

I installed mine in about 90 minutes including mounting the HDI transducer. Prices start at $419 for a unit without a transducer and $469 with. If I were a fisherman I would go with the model with the upgraded transducer for $539. And all of those prices are less than a new iPhone or iPad. I'm sure yours works for you and nothing anyone here says will change your mind. But, IMHO there are better, safer, more responsible ways to navigate. You talk about cost and elitism....I ask what is safety and well-being of your family and friends worth. Certainly the price of a dedicated, reliable, purpose-built navigation device.
Shawn

As stated in the thread, I have a 18' boat and looking for recommendations for inland lakes in WI not crossing the great lakes or ocean.

 

[Searayguy185]

Navionics - download for tablets and smartphones. You get some basic maps for free, but for $14.99/yr you can download actual charts. I think it's a pretty darn good deal for $15.

Thanks for the reply.. Navionics seems to be the favorite.

 

[hynespa]

We are overdue for a Honda portable generator debate. There. I said it.

@Creekwood - D’oh! I was going to suggest to those worried about the iPad overheating that you could bungee cord a Honda portable generator to their swim platform or bow rail and use the generator juice to power a fan pointed at the iPad. If you are looking for a place to mount the fan it could attach to the spot where your expired CO detectors used to be ... at least that’s what my neighbor Homer S told me - he should know - he’s a safety engineer at a Nuclear plant.