iPhone 5 as a back up GPS.

[Victor75]

Hi. Can anyone tell me if iPhone 5 or Ipad would work as a GPS cruising Abaco island?
I have one good app that that I'm using in the US. Called Navionocs wondering if that would work in the Bahamas making it as a spare.

Thanks
Victor

[Stumble]

As long as you download the charts before you go you'll be fine. I use my ipad as my primary nav unit, and my raymarine chartplotter as backup.

[Victor75]

Great ! This makes my life easier than.
Mistyped the app name it's Navionics.

Thanks Again !

[Victor75]

What would be good program/app for my iPod ?

[Stumble]

INavX and motionX. Both use free NOAA charts.

I like iNavX more, but it is also $50 or so vs $5 for MotionX. On the other hand I still carry both, so pick your poison.

[Victor75]

Guys, is there service and fuel stations somewhere in the middle between West End and Abacos ? My fuel tank is 70 gal. 2gal/mile, 20-25 mph 10 gal/hr from West End to GTC something like 110 mi. I would have to refuel to feel more comfortable.
Any suggestions? Comments?

Thanks
Victor

[Tomm0]

I suggest iSailor over Navionics... Just my 2c.

[GrowleyMonster]

iNavX is an excellent app. I have used it on iphone 4 and 4S. I never bought the iphone 5 because it was taking so long for the jailbreak to come out for it. Currently I am playing around with my new Samsung Galaxy Tab2 7" mini tablet. The apps available for Android are not as full featured as iNavX.

The only problem with iNavX is you got to use their X-Traverse site to get charts other than the free NOAA ones. But it is great for sailing in US waters.

I have the Navionics Caribbean iphone app but the graphics are crude. The Navionics vector charts, to my eye, suck. Usable, yes. Just disappointing. But still as good as some chart plotters I have seen.

the iphone is handy to have in your pocket out in the cockpit, but you might prefer more screen area. So maybe the ipad, or better yet, a small, energy efficient laptop, like one of those little netbooks, running Open CPN, down below.

[Victor75]

Hi, do I have to jailbreak my iPhone 5? Going to buy inavx to travel to abacos ? What would be the advanrage to jailbreak ?
How do you like your Samsung galaxy for navigation?
Please advice.

Thanks
Victor

[GrowleyMonster]

No, you don't need to jailbreak to run inavx. But it is handy for other things to do so. The jailbreak is just out for the iphone 5 or other devices running ios6.1.

Jailbreaking gives the user or his apps direct access and control over the entire file system. So you can install apps and tweaks that apple doesn't want you to have. Related to inavx, you can back up your charts and restore them from your backup instead of having to re download all of them, as an example. But remember that this power can be used for good, or for bad. You can make a mess of your phone requiring a complete restore. You also void the warranty. Rooting a Droid is similar except it is easier and there is some support for rooting, even root enabled apps on the official Droid app repository.

The Samsung GPS seems to be more sensitive than the iphone's GPS. But the Droid navigation apps are not as sophisticated at this point in time. I am hoping we will someday see a port of OpenCPN for droid. I guess to make it short, the jury is still out but either one would work okay for you. But Puh-LEEZE don't let this be your only method of Navigation! I think it is a good backup for another system, if you have a solar charger for the device.

Understand that the best use of a droid or iphone for navigation is to turn it on, get a fix and see yourself on the chart, make appropriate steering or sail corrections, and turn it back off.

[Victor75]

I appreciate the reply very much !