Navigation software

[STELLA L]

Okay, I know this has been covered but maybe a new discussion will help me and others who are just getting into the technical area of the boating world. The tech world moves fast and where does one turn to bounce ideas about what performs and why? I figure we have experts in this area on the TUGNUTS for opinions and hands on experience.

I have the Garmin 5212 with the chips covering from Puget Sound to the the Alaska border. It was flawless for me this summer on our trip to Desolation, the Broughtons, and Port McNeill where we turned around to head home (Seattle). I did have paper charts which I had open to the area we were traveling. Next June we head farther north to the Bella Bella, Shearwater, Ca. area.

In case the 5212 goes down I want another electronic chart (and depth finder). I know the ipad seems to be the "weapon" of choice but there are some of us who want or need other choices. Navionics is well known and runs on ipad and android products although I have yet to meet anyone who runs this on their android. Any android users out there? Rose Point Navigation Systems is one that runs on a pc and I was given a quick tutorial on the water this summer. Quite impressive and since I already have my pc with me...

Other options? Links that are informative for new and experienced boaters?

Jim and Karyn
STELLA

 

[knotflying]

I prefer Garmin Bluecharts, but I do not tie into my 5212 because I like them to be independent of one another. You also get the Active Captain overlay ability. My two cents.

 

[ragman]

I use a Motorola Razr (Android) to run the very inexpensive Marine Navigator app. Think it was about $9. It uses electronic charts you download for free from NOAA. I also have Navionics on my tablet. And, just for one more backup, my PC runs a free ware, Open CPN that also uses NOAA charts. It requires a USB GPS unit.
Hope this helps.

Visit our travel blog at:
tinwheel.blogspot.com

 

[DBBRanger]

I just got the Navionics software Marine&Lakes: USA HD for my Galaxy Note 10.1 (Android). It was $50 on Google Play. I used it for a week and a half on Lake Powell and am pretty happy with it. I would say the thing I dislike the most is that it does not follow the route automatically - you must manually move the window to follow your course. Otherwise, the detail and accuracy seems to be good. Do you have specific questions about the Navionics software I could help with?

Doug

 

[STELLA L]

Appreciate the responses. I looked at that Samsung Galaxy (Android) and was told it has GPS so do not understand why it does not follow the route and location. As for Navionics - have seen it in action and very good product which I would have no problem purchasing. We do not have a smart phone so no need to go there.

 

[JamesTXSD]

I just got the Navionics software Marine&Lakes: USA HD for my Galaxy Note 10.1 (Android). It was $50 on Google Play. I used it for a week and a half on Lake Powell and am pretty happy with it. I would say the thing I dislike the most is that it does not follow the route automatically - you must manually move the window to follow your course. Otherwise, the detail and accuracy seems to be good. Do you have specific questions about the Navionics software I could help with?

Doug

Not to hijack the original premise of the thread, but I used Navionics on my Droid phones for the past 4 years. It would follow the route, until you touched the screen (zoom in, zoom out, look around), at which point it wouldn't move until you pushed the icon to center your position.

For the original poster, I have used Navionics on iPads, iPhone, and a Droid phone. Considering the cost of a chartplotter and the chips for the area, an iPad and a $50 nav app is a hot deal (to be used in conjunction with a chartplotter). I also use the Garmin BlueChart app on the iPad - works great, too.

Cell phones, iPads, Android tablets - all just tools. The reason for a tool is to make a task easier. One doesn't have to be one of those "zombies", walking around looking down at their phone, ignoring the world around them, in order to find value with the tool. Route planning takes a few seconds, it can help you find the nearest Italian restaurant, it's a flashlight, manages your e-mail, allows you to surf the TugNuts while waiting for a plane, lets you look up reviews and the best price for that gift you want to buy someone, replaces a notepad and pen, keeps your favorite music at hand... oh, and it's a phone, too! 😉

Come on it - the water and the technology are fine,
Jim B.

Before GPS was economically and functionally available to the public, I used Loran C. It was a tool that was better than a paper chart and ded reckoning. The tools keep getting better, allowing one more precision. Of course, some of the chart data hasn't been updated since the 70s (or earlier), so one still has to keep eyeballs outside the helm. Good tools allow that - some of them small enough you can hold them in your hand or carry them anywhere.

 

[ragman]

Related to navigation apps are AIS apps. If you are within cell phone range you can have AIS on your smart phone. I use Marine Traffic and IAIS. The first gives me AIS targets nearby and the second transmits my vessel information. Both are Android apps. One is free, the other is very inexpensive.

My home cruising area is Narragansett Bay, Block Island and Long Island Sounds. Each of these have major shipping lanes that I have to navigate, sometimes in fog. Having AIS is a great comfort.