iPad4 - iNavX v Navionics Pros & Cons

[Ozbullwinkle]

I have a new iPad4 64Gb with Cellular (built in GPS capability) and have been doing some research to determine the best navigation package to load for a passage in March 2013 from St Martin to Vanuatu.

This will only be a backup to an onboard Raymarine E165 chartplotter so will definitely not be the primary navigation tool but I want the application that I do install to have the most comprehensive functionality. It will also only be used in the saloon & not at the helm.

I have reviewed several threads but a lot of the information is now outdated hence this new one.

The websites for these 2 applications leave a bit to be desired and Google searches have not helped that much.

This is what I would need:-

Either Navionics with charts for iPad being Australasia & Africa V4.1 which includes the S Pacific for $40.99 & Caribbean & South America V4.1 for $14.99.

OR

iNavX with Navionics Gold charts 3XG Caribbean, Central & South America also with Galapagos for $54.99 & 34XG Japan & Pacific Islands for $54.99

It looks like the price difference for the charts, which is not huge, may be due to the fact that iNavX uses Navionics Gold charts & Navionics does not use the Gold version but I am not certain of this.

So, I would appreciate information from those who are aware of the pros & cons of the most recent releases of these applications.

Thanks guys.

[JNoel]

With iNavX they can do
Works with Navionics (downloaded through X-Traverse.com)

NMEA-0183 and N2K display and waypoint import/export via TCP/IP
AIS target display

GRIB Weather overlay (wind, pressure, waves, precipitation rate and temperature)

Digital compass
Instrument display

Anchor alarm

Comprehensive route and waypoint management and navigation including auto-next
Import/Export of waypoints, routes and tracks in both KML and GPX format
True and Magnetic bearings
Great circle computation for all bearings and distance
Route printing
Course Up chart orientation
Full screen display
One license works for both iPad and iPhone
One of the main differances is that on the Navionics APP you can transfer waypoint and routes from the iPad to the Raymarine e165 hybrird touch. I have done this many times. Hope this is helpful.

[Jimbo485]

Originally Posted by Ozbullwinkle

.....
iNavX with Navionics Gold charts 3XG Caribbean, Central & South America also with Galapagos for $54.99 & 34XG Japan & Pacific Islands for $54.99

This second alternative is what we used (along with paper charts and OpenCPN). It was great. The iPAD itself has been in constant action for 2 years, usually just sitting in the cockpit with no waterproof cover or occasionally a ziplock bag if it rained. In terms of the software and charts, the only drawback was around Fiji - whenever we jumped back and forth across the international dateline, the icon and the track had to go all the way around the world but the distances were correct.

[JNoel]

Here are a few more Differance on the Navionics APP to iNavx
Community Layer,Freshest Data,Nav module,NewsStand,Plotter sync with Raymarine Weather,Cheaper price. Thought you might want to know....

[GPSNavX]

Here are some of iNavX differences:

Access the largest library of up to date official charts and maps
Comprehensive route and waypoint management and navigation including auto-next, bearing, distance, time, arrival
Course Up chart orientation
Import/Export of waypoints, routes and tracks in both KML and GPX format
GRIB Weather overlay (wind, pressure, waves, precipitation rate and temperature)
Theyr Weather forecast
Anchor alarm
True and Magnetic bearings
Great circle computation for all bearings and distance
NMEA-0183 and N2K display and waypoint import/export via TCP/IP
AIS target display including real-world scaling and SART and virtual NavAid support
Digital compass
Instrument display
Chart and route printing
Chart emailing and tweeting
Full screen display
Runs on both iPad and iPhone (Only need to buy once)

[daddle]

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

...In terms of the software and charts, the only drawback was around Fiji - whenever we jumped back and forth across the international dateline, the icon and the track had to go all the way around the world but the distances were correct.

I have both. I find I use iNavX more. But that "the earth is flat" mentality at the dateline is annoying. If they cannot handle that simple concept....

[Ozbullwinkle]

Question for GPSNavX - No doubt you are aware of the issue mentioned above about crossing the dateline around Fiji. As the vessel will be based in Vanuatu & will also spend considerable time in Fiji I was wondering if you have any idea when a fix may be released in a software upgrade as it will be an issue for me that I would rather not have?

You also say that iNavX has access to the largest library of up to date official charts and maps. Can you elaborate on this as both iNavX & Navionics use Navionics charts? is there any difference in the charts used - are they both the Gold version & does iNavX just have better charting features and capabilities?

[Ozbullwinkle]

Hello GPSNavX - I would appreciater your comments on my earlier post above.

Thanks,
Steve

[Ozbullwinkle]

I managed to contact GPSNavx via PM & he has informed me that he has referred my 2 questions to Navionics and is awaiting their reply. Hopefully one will come through soon.

I have also noticed today on the Apps store that the Prices of the maps have increased.

Navionics upgraded their maps to V4.1.1 from 13th Jan 2013. The Australasia & Africa V4.1 has increased from A$40.99 to A$69.99. The largest increase is for Caribbean & South America from $14.99 in December to A$59.99. Big increase eh, although they did seem cheap before?

The iNavx maps from x-traverse are now - 3XG Caribbean, Central & South America US$54.99 (no change) . 34XG Japan & Pacific Islands was US$54.99 but is now US$84.99.

This now makes the prices for charts for both Navionics & iNavx in the same ballpark.

Also on the App store the price for the iNavx app itself is A$51.99 but I could not find anything for the Navionics app - only the maps. Does anyone know if the Navionics app is built into the maps so you do not need to buy a separate application like you do for iNavx?

[Finistere]

Navionics app is built into the chart purchase.

[Ozbullwinkle]

Originally Posted by Finistere

Navionics app is built into the chart purchase.

Thanks Finistere. I will probably go for iNavx but holding off to hopefully get the reply from GPSNavx to my earlier queries. Seems rather strange that Navionics doesn't have the best navigation app considering that even iNavx uses their charts.

[Tomm0]

Try iSailor.
Solid import/export functionality (pity it won't use dropbox, but you can't have everything).
Charts look very good.

I'd use it on my android too if they had an android version... unfortunately i'm stuck with navionics as the best option there, which has a major flaw - no route import.

If Navionics price has gone up, it may be because now you can jailbreak IOS 6 devices, lots of sailors and their dogs will just use a pirated version for $0 .

[Navigation Mac]

Originally Posted by Ozbullwinkle

So, I would appreciate information from those who are aware of the pros & cons of the most recent releases of these applications.

You will have a comparison in this entry in my weblog
Francis

[Ozbullwinkle]

Thanks for that, iNavx certainly seems to have a lot more features & functionality.

With the recent loss of the Lagoon Catamaran "Next Life" in the Bahamas due to inaccuracies on the Navioinics charts along with reliance apparently being placed on the chartplotter as there did not seem to be any cross checking with paper charts.

I wonder if there are any known suspect areas to be aware of for my forthcoming passage from St Martin to Vanuatu. I believe that charts around Tonga are reported to have inaccuracies for example.

[Ozbullwinkle]

Hi GPSNavx, Any reply from Navionics yet to my questions raised on my 10th Jan post that you referred onto them?

Thanks,
Steve