Best Apps...

[CoastalLiving]

So when I search for nautical maps on my iPad, there are so many to choose from. I think this will be the first app I am actually going to buy so I don't want to waste my money. Any suggestions?


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[brianc]

I like the Navionics the best of the few I've used.


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[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by brianc

I like the Navionics the best of the few I've used.


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+1

I have Navionics Asia and Americas. I have paper harbor charts for Singapore. So far that's all I have needed.

Navionics has covered charters in LA and SFO as well as Phuket and Malaysia.

I have the app on phone and 2 iPads.

I have 3 anchor alarm apps and while they all work I wouldn't recommend any of them outright.

[DanDanDan]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

I have 3 anchor alarm apps and while they all work I wouldn't recommend any of them outright.

How would you improve the anchor alarm apps?


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[Dsanduril]

I like iSailor. Not going to rave about it, because I think the interface and user experience is less than ideal. But, I like the Transas charts. They seem to be a better product than most of the other electronic versions I see (not really sure why, come from the same data sources). The app is free, and US charts are < $10/region, so you can buy one local set and see if you like the thing without major investment. International charts can get pricey.

No monetary interest, and my feelings wouldn't be hurt if no one else agreed with me, but I'd say worth a try.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by DanDanDan

How would you improve the anchor alarm apps?


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Off the top of my head it is predominantly about the behavior when the phone/tablet is sleeping - i.e. the ones I have used so far require the tablet to stay fully awake (power consumption).

The interface has to be pretty butt simple too. It would be nice to "drop the pin" and then If desired drag the pin with a finger if I wanted.

Some desired features

- one button mark for anchor drop
- drag the mark with a finger swipe
- easily adjusted swing radius based on scope - finger drag the circle
- alarm works while tablet is asleep and wakes on alarm
- alarm sends text message to cellular on alarm or notification

Notifications should include more than drag. Example - Notification that boat has swung (tide turned) or automatically send me the GIF of the swing plot every 6 hours if I want it via SMS or MMS.

In other words integrate some remote monitoring and notification into the alarm.

Don't get me wrong, tablet/phone anchor alerting is great! I just don't think the killer app has been made yet.

Side rant - Many app developers may have some of the features I describe. However, often in their haste to ship the app they start with a basic feature set and add stuff later. I often don't come back to see the features added later - i.e. first impressions count.

So if you are developing an app - wait a few extra months and add the stuff up front that you plan to "add in the future" - I have heard that line too many times - LOL...

[monte]

Anchor watch has all those features and works well on iPad, iPhone 4 and 5, I haven't tried it on any other devicesthe buttons at the bottom are for anchor up/down, increase/decrease radius, place anchor with finger tap, anchor location by gps, anchor location by coords, anchor location by bearing. The main screen has options for SMS alerts me email alerts and it runs when the device is asleep. I've tried 10 anchor apps and this is my preferred one.
http://lukassen.wordpress.com/luky-soft/anchor-watch/