Navionics

[Cherod]

Hello all , I intend buying an iPad to download Navionics , I know i need a cellular model with GPs installed , my question is , do I need a SIM card to downtown and or operate , thank you .

[nibj]

When I bought mine some years ago, you needed to have a cellular capable model to get built in GPS (but I never activated the cellular side - the GPS works very well even outside wifi range). I think this is still true.

I download maps etc using wifi with no trouble.

I have a Life Proof waterproof case and mount in the boat. All works very well for daysailing (and I take it with me when in the BVIs).

Peter

[barnakiel]

You can possibly feed BT or WiFi gps and all other nav data to any model with BT and or WiFi capability.

Any Android smartphone or tablet with gps onboard can be used as a gps wireless AP. Probably the same true for iPhones.

If you go ashore make sure your BT or WiFi gps is pocketable. Many are.

b.

[Cherod]

Originally Posted by Cherod

Hello all , I intend buying an iPad to download Navionics , I know i need a cellular model with GPs installed , my question is , do I need a SIM card to downtown and or operate , thank you .

Thank you guys , but this is what I need to know .

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Cherod

Thank you guys , but this is what I need to know .

I'll try pulling the sim out of mine this evening and let you know if it still works.

[Cherod]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I'll try pulling the sim out of mine this evening and let you know if it still works.

Did you need the sim in to download the Navionics ?

[Dave_S]

I have it on a tablet which doesn't have a sim card.

I'd vote no.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Cherod

Did you need the sim in to download the Navionics ?

The sim is only for the cell data...don't know if the gps works without the sim. Haven't ever taken the sim out of the iPad. I'll try this evening.

[AiniA]

I have an iPad with GPS and no SIM card and it works just fine. We download map data when we have good WiFi service.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Originally Posted by Cherod

Did you need the sim in to download the Navionics ?

You would only need the SIM card to download Navionics if your only wifi connection is through a wireless cell carrier. Otherwise just download it through a wifi service provider; your own or one that you rent. In the US if it was your own, that would be something like a dedicated cable or fiber optic line from a provider like Comcast, Verizon, etc.

[Cherod]

Originally Posted by AiniA

I have an iPad with GPS and no SIM card and it works just fine. We download map data when we have good WiFi service.

( excuse my ignorance ) can you get wifi without having a sim ? Am I to assume that you had no sim in when you downloaded Navionics ?

[mr336]

ipad Pro here. I have no sim card. GPS works normal and wifi works normal.

[Zven]

Originally Posted by Cherod

( excuse my ignorance ) can you get wifi without having a sim ?

Of course you can. SIM is for identification on cellular networks only. Wifi is another set of frequencies, a separate radio. And GPS is yet another separate set of signals. The three should not be interdependent in principle. Some tablets don't have all three. Most software makes use of one, two or three of them for various purposes.

Navionics requires that maps be downloaded one way or another - normally via wifi or via cellular. This can be done before the start of cruising. During cruising, a GPS signal is helpful for the software to pinpoint where you are on said maps.

I have found Navionics to be flexible and work well overall, on various mobile (Android) devices. The maps seem very good (for the Med and Thailand at least). There's also a free trial option. Probably their iOS versions are similar.

[Cherod]

Thanks all , I now understand that I do not need a SIM card ..( that makes things just a little easier )

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Cherod

Thanks all , I now understand that I do not need a SIM card ..( that makes things just a little easier )

As was said above, the sim is not needed.

I pulled the sim from my iPad. Everything works just fine, the gps just took a little while longer to acquire position.