Garmin's BlueChart Mobile for iPhone and iPad

[Kamaloha]

[QUOTE=Bijimini;1098999]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

[B][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3
If you have an iPhone or an iPad, this is the product to buy
If you don't have an iPad, BlueChart Mobile is more than enough reason to buy one (get a cellular, 32 GB, latest model, iPad 4th gen).]

I see that you need a cellular service (like Verizon or ATT) to use the 3G function of the iPad. Does anyone know how this works outside the U.S.--say in the Bahamas or the Caribbean?

In the Eastern Caribbean we listened in to Wifi signals with a boat side repeater (Bullet plus router). However in The SW Caribbean wifi seems to be fairly nonexistent. 3G modems are everywhere and quite cheap. Each country seems to have its own service provider though and I have not successfully been able to unlock the Huawei modems they use, so I've ended up with a small collection of them. Sometimes you can find a cruiser going the other way and swap.

Now I have an iPad it will be interesting to see who sells the SIM cards for them. It may be more cost effective to continue to use the USB modems and rebroadcast them over my wifi.

[Cotemar]

Here's a few really good write ups on Garmin's BlueChart Mobile

Garmin BlueChart Mobile Trip Planning App
http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/2012/11/garmin-bluechart-mobile-trip-planning.html

Garmin BlueChart Mobile, hands-on #1
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/11/garmin_bluechart_mobile_hands-on_1.html

Garmin BlueChart Mobile & WiFi Adapter, hands-on #2
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/11/garmin_bluechart_mobile_wifi_adapter_hands-on_2.html

ActiveCaptain BlueChart Mobile Newsletter #142
https://activecaptain.com/newsletters/2012-12-05.php

[ElGatoGordo]

Put me down...for Android. Sounds great...jealous of your iStuff today. Tomorrow I'll remember ask the reasons I switched ;-)

[Harlen]

Do the US Coastal charts include the west coast of Canada? They seem to in the small map on their App purchase site but I wanted to make sure.

Thanks!

[Cotemar]

Yes the US Coastal v2012.5 has the west coast of Canada.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1095787

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

You would have to buy the Garmin Marine Wi-Fi Adapter Kit $199 to have it all talk wirelessly together .

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=129410

Wow a $130 markup for a rebranded Ubiquity Pico PicoStation2 | Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.

I wonder if it really could be as simple as plugging any old wifi bridge into the garmin ethernet?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by xymotic

Wow a $130 markup for a rebranded Ubiquity Pico PicoStation2 | Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.

I wonder if it really could be as simple as plugging any old wifi bridge into the garmin ethernet?

There are others that are trying to figure out if it is just that simple.
Garmin had to jump through some hoops to make the WiFi work.
This WiFi adapter is why it took a year to release the app.

[patmcqueen]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

There are others that are trying to figure out if it is just that simple.
Garmin had to jump through some hoops to make the WiFi work.
This WiFi adapter is why it took a year to release the app.

I did try using a standard wifi router and it did work - hard part is getting the static IP addressing correct.

Pat

[GeoPowers]

IMHO- this app sucks! Constant hangups, crashing, infinite loading times (especially with Active Captain POI's which is the primary reason I got the app in the first place)....a waste of money fir the "premium features" that I hope Garmin will fix in a future release. Unfortunately, they just released a new version with the same poor app store reviews. Don't spend money on the charts or AC until they fix these issues!

Frank

PS this is on an iPhone 4S and iPad 2, with latest iOS.

[siroismi]

Have been using this app for months now. It is slow to start up but i guess if you want a updated AC database it has to load. Running a Ipad 4 and never a single freeze or crash..

[Jammer Six]

How often are the charts updated?

My concern is the LNMs.

[NorthPacific]

Patience folks. I have a Garmin chart plotter, with blue charts, An new Mac and ipad. Any easy way to use the garmin charts on the apple kit?

[Vlad70]

Originally Posted by NorthPacific

Patience folks. I have a Garmin chart plotter, with blue charts, An new Mac and ipad. Any easy way to use the garmin charts on the apple kit?

You can open You purchased Garmin charts on Your mac using HomePort - insert SD card and plan, but it's not allow navigation, just planning

For iPad - separate (but cheap) - chart for BlueChart Mobile

unfortunately - Garmin all do by his own way, and You can't transfer track from HomePort to BC Mobile like on other programs.

Garmin decide - You must transfer track to chart plotter, bought Garmin WiFi (just branded Ubiquintu, but 3 times more expensive) connect You iPad to Garmin dedicated WiFi (forget about internet for this time) and only than transfer tracks.

[ScubaPete]

Is there a way to change the headings and bearings from magnetic to true? I can't seem to find anything about that.

[Vlad70]

Originally Posted by ScubaPete

Is there a way to change the headings and bearings from magnetic to true? I can't seem to find anything about that.

I also don't find nothing about variation/deviation - but it always true bearing and heading. Are You sure about magnetic?