Marine Navigation for Android

[barnakiel]

We used NV Charts in the West Indies. Worked very well. +

We used another app (something Sailor) ashore for trekking with offline Google maps, in the scrub. +

I am going to use OpenCPN this time for our wireless AIS screen. +

b.

[SeaSon]

I have both mx mariner and jeppeson plan 2 nav , and both work very accurately on android phones. Both support active captain. Mx mariner only uses raster Noa charts, no good for Canada or the rivers. Jepp covers all with their custom charts and is slightly less detailed on town and harbor names when zoomed out. Jepp is also slightly more expensive.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[sinbad8]

I would also recommend OruxMaps (free) as a very comprehensive app.
You can also import routes/tracks etc.

Converts all .kap maps via a special Windows converter.

See attached.


Tore

[sinbad8]

Try OruxMaps which is a very good navigation app for phones and tablets.

You can get the latest test version 6.xxx here:
http://www.oruxmaps.com/OruxMaps6.5.11beta12.apk

See attached....


Tore

[sinbad8]

Here is the Win map converter for OruxMaps. (creates 2 files)

Needs a .BSB or the matching .JPG file plus the .KAP.

You can select several zoom factors.

Easy to use. Download from OruxMaps.

Tore

[karle]

Originally Posted by viben

Any thoughts and experiences with marine navigation apps for Android? OpenCPN is still in Beta, bet what about other apps, such as Navionics' Boating etc?

I am considering replacement alternatives for an elderly Garmin Trackfish 6500 w/ 5-inch display, and would like to check some out before I am forced to make the change - as well as for redundancy.

I have the following two apps:

1. Navionics: They sell at discounted prices sometimes. I got mine for 99 cents. Now it's 55 dollars plus tax.

2. I-Boating. Got it free as a beta tester.

[SeaSon]

Now that we are in the Inland rivers - Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, tombigbee. I've found the Corp of Engineer charts to be of limited value as they only show over 9ft, or under 9 feet, nothing else, so working into anchorages and inlets they have no data. Meaning any app using those charts is not really usable other than staying in the main channel. Navionics seems the best choice as it has excellent depth information for most, but not all of the river sections.

Lastly, iboat purhased 2 months ago for canada was 120 feet off on my laptop and my phone vs Open CPN and polar navy. I reported it via email and they NEVER replied. I was also very difficult to use due to it poor design. It was worthless, but perhaps a new Rev might fix.

In hindsight, of the 6 programs I purchased, Navionics seems the best at 25 bucks per region per year per tablet in the US.

For laptop NOAA charts, I like polar navy for its active captains integration.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Badsanta]

I tried plan-to-nav it was ok untill I entered the Alabama river and the ten-tom. Very limited soundings not very detailed inland

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Badsanta

I tried plan-to-nav it was ok untill I entered the Alabama river and the ten-tom. Very limited soundings not very detailed inland

Does anyone else have better chart data for those areas?

-Chris

[Badsanta]

I've heard the pay version of Navionics is mush better, but I have no first hand knowledge of this. I am planing to try Navionics in the spring.

[karle]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Does anyone else have better chart data for those areas?

-Chris

You should see recommended track line, safety contours, navigation markers, locks etc on most charts for Tennessee Tombigbee waterway. Do you have a lat lon for where you are looking for chart coverage?
This waterway is very well surveyed (professionally). So you should be able to get decent charts for this area.

[MV Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by Badsanta

I've heard the pay version of Navionics is mush better, but I have no first hand knowledge of this. I am planing to try Navionics in the spring.

I have the paid version and can confirm the depths, contours, channels markers, etc are all there for that waterway.

[karle]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Does anyone else have better chart data for those areas?

-Chris

You can use this free Tennessee Tombigbee waterway chart to get started. Whatever chart you use, make sure to identify RECTRC, safety contour etc. Also look for local advisories on water level changes and weather.

[ranger58sb]

Pardon; my question was largely rhetorical, for me. I also meant to add for the previous poster's benefit "Does C-Map (Plan2Nav) provide charts for that area within a different chart pack?"

We once "moved off" the C-Map charts (for a while) when we came back up to MD from FL... but it wasn't a C-Map discrepancy; I just hadn't bought that particular chart pack at the time.

-Chris

[karle]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Pardon; my question was largely rhetorical, for me. I also meant to add for the previous poster's benefit "Does C-Map (Plan2Nav) provide charts for that area within a different chart pack?"

We once "moved off" the C-Map charts (for a while) when we came back up to MD from FL... but it wasn't a C-Map discrepancy; I just hadn't bought that particular chart pack at the time.

-Chris

C-Map has a trial version for android. Just download it for free and try. That way you can make a more informed decision. I am pretty sure C-Map would have good charts for a popular area like this one.