Advice requested re: navigation apps

[hpeer]

There is one in particular where Navionics shows an entrance across a coral reef. My understanding is several boats have been lost there.

Navionics actually shows it as a route.

This does NOT SHIFT.

[hpeer]

I THINK it is here.

[DMF Sailing]

Originally Posted by hpeer

There is one in particular where Navionics shows an entrance across a coral reef. My understanding is several boats have been lost there.

Navionics actually shows it as a route.

This does NOT SHIFT.

Doesn't shift.

I'm no lawyer, but that sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen, depending on their disclaimers....

[hlev00]

@hpeer This is the thread on the chart problem south of George Town. It is north of the areas you posted. The previously unmarked reef was between Fowl and Guana.



https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...mas-98087.html

[hpeer]

Ah ha!

Thanks for that link.

[nepal]

I'm using Sailgrib. It has a routing feature and accepts the charts from the Navionics app. Many YouTube tutorials.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

not trying to talk you out of...

But for Android, OpenCPN is excellent.
(Of course, OpenCPN is also excellent on laptops.)

I run OpenCpn on my Android Samsung tablet. Use it for quick planning and to view Sat charts. It is pretty unreliable. Locks up often and requires stopping app to get it to restart. Good value for the price

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by Paul L

I run OpenCpn on my Android Samsung tablet. Use it for quick planning and to view Sat charts. It is pretty unreliable. Locks up often and requires stopping app to get it to restart. Good value for the price

Don't think I've ever had a lockup on my Samsungs with Opencpn. "Unreliable" not at all.

Sure you are using the official (paid) version?

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

Don't think I've ever had a lockup on my Samsungs with Opencpn. "Unreliable" not at all.

Sure you are using the official (paid) version?

Yep, paid version 5.2.2[62]. It has CM93 loaded and a lot of Sat images, along with anchor waypoints. I also used it on an older Samsung tablet configured similarly and it also had issues.
Sometimes it puts up dialog boxes with the Ok, Cancel, etc keys hidden, other times the ribbon bar on the charts locks up, etc, I still use it, I just don't count on it.

[iNavX]

Originally Posted by hpeer

I am almost certain iNavex can also display AIS, but I think you need a paid upgrade. Something I should look into more since AIS quit working on my C-80.

If you have AIS integrated into your instruments, iNavX will display what you have for no extra charge. For example if has no trouble displaying the data from my Vesper XB-8000 simply by connecting to the gateway.

Without an AIS receiver on your boat, you can still get data with an AIS Live subscription. But you will need internet access on your device and there is a charge for the service.

https://inavx.com/inavx-ais-live

[DMF Sailing]

Originally Posted by iNavX

If you have AIS integrated into your instruments, iNavX will display what you have for no extra charge. For example if has no trouble displaying the data from my Vesper XB-8000 simply by connecting to the gateway.

Without an AIS receiver on your boat, you can still get data with an AIS Live subscription. But you will need internet access on your device and there is a charge for the service.

https://inavx.com/inavx-ais-live

Appreciate you checking in, iNavX

[JebLostInSpace]

Originally Posted by DMF Sailing

Hi everyone.

Talk me out of my preference for iSailGPS, at least in East Coast U.S. waters. Used it from Bar Harbor to Key West.

Lots of comments about BC and/or Bahamas on a thread asking about East Coast US waters.

I've cruised mid-coast Maine to West Palm, FL. I use NOAA charts on my SIMRAD plotter (I don't remember the details about this chart package off the top of my head. It's whatever came loaded on the plotter by default). I also run Navionics on my phone, and I paid for access to AquaMaps, and refer to it when in the AICW. I use AquaMaps exclusively because it is the easiest way I found to look at SkipperBob's soundings in the AICW. I find its interface much more difficult to work with compared to Navionics, so don't use it outside of the AICW.

In general on the US East Coast, I have found zero remarkable difference between the Navionics data and the data on my SIMRAD plotter. Both packages seem to fail in the same locations. The plotter is great because it is easy to use while at the helm and monitor whether I am on the line I meant to be on. The Navionics app on my phone is great because it integrates ActiveCaptain info. This warns me about uncharted shoals, and gives me very good info on the quality of anchorages I am considering.

All of this is limited to cruising the US East Coast. When I went across to the Bahamas, I needed a new download on the plotter. I opted for the Explorer charts, and they were very accurate. The Navionics package was still fine, but didn't have as much detail as the Explorer Charts. I would have been severely stressed navigating the Indian Rocks Passage (passage onto the grand bahama bank just north of West End) on Navionics alone. I would have been totally fine navigating West Palm Beach, FL to Tenant's Harbor, ME on Navionics alone.

I've never tried the other systems mentioned in this thread, but for US East Coast, that was my experience.

[hpeer]

Right,

For US waters Navonics charts are about as good as any.

But there have also been comments about raster vs vector. In IMHO raster charts are better for the various reasons stated above
Consistency of format
No decuttering, which I have seen as a real problem and in extreme circumstances has led to loss of a vessel.
But also the source of the “sonar view” data which some of us have found to be made up in some places. Where is it good and where is it not?

Other than that it is fine.

Glad it has worked for you so far.

[nortonscove]

As far as I know everyone seems to favour what they first got to know or the closest thing they can get to that. My father inlaw will only use what is essentially raster charts on a lighted screen. He also won't change the orientation but prefers to drag the chart to keep the boat in frame. Used to drive me nuts when I kept watch but I would never change it as he was the master and his way ruled.

I have both navionics and c-maps. Running a touch screen at the nav station with Garmin. Each has its advantages and none are perfect. That said I don't have the interest or desire to learn anything else. I can tell you that none are good above 50 north.

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by nortonscove

As far as I know everyone seems to favour what they first got to know or the closest thing they can get to that. My father inlaw will only use what is essentially raster charts on a lighted screen. He also won't change the orientation but prefers to drag the chart to keep the boat in frame. Used to drive me nuts when I kept watch but I would never change it as he was the master and his way ruled.

I have both navionics and c-maps. Running a touch screen at the nav station with Garmin. Each has its advantages and none are perfect. That said I don't have the interest or desire to learn anything else. I can tell you that none are good above 50 north.

Huh? We routinely use above 50 deg N (BC north coast)... latitude is not an issue at 50-55 degrees N for these charts/programs.