Hooray, finally I have Navionics on my ipad. I put on more NSW coast maps than
I'm going to need. If in the future I need to extend the coastline maps, can I do
that ? or am I stuck with what I've got. I'm going to try it out tomorow.
Thank you everybody for your input
Sam, l advise you to give Navionics a miss before you get into trouble.
I recommend, recommended - for your intended purpose MMapp. Why?
Because while MMap is an electronic version of a paper chart or raster chart and the different zoom levels do not hide data, Navionics is a vector chart and the different levels of zoom show or hide information. Important information.
It is very easy to have an accident using a vector chart while navigating if one is unfamiliar with the use of it. Especially if one has to control the vessel at the same time. Please, do not create a problem for yourself.
As far as the tablet is concerned, here is mine:
This last one is my Wi-Fi which is working perfectly along the east coast.
(headstand!)
So, the only smart device I have on board now sit on my shoulders. Otherwise, just paper charts and an older Raymarine GPS for LAT/LONG and a few waypoints. I am keen to get a tablet, but probably not upgrade to a plotter. However there is a view abroad that some cheaper models claim GPS, but it is really only triangulation from the phone network. Does a model such as SirG's Galaxy 10.1 actually work directly off real GPS/GLONASS satellites, without the need for an external receiver? After following this thread, my requirements would be: 1) Cheaper than a plotter. 2) Easy to load MemoryMaps. 3) Real GPS. 4) Chargeable from 12V. Suggestions please!
After decades staring at paper charts, I am thoroughly convinced by SirG's arguments in favour of Memory Maps, and I have no idea how I would handle another internet account for data. Phone might suffice for weather, if within range.
The note book l got has no phone card in it hence the mobile Wi-Fi.
The GPS is not phone related. It is a real GPS. Works perfectly off shore.
I also run it on my mobile, just because l can.
The MMap is running the QuickCharts AusEast Ed5.
Cost was about one off US50 bucks and renewal US35 bucks.
I quite like the look of the MMap SirG, do you get the gizmo's that you get with the vector chart software like ERBL electronic range bearing line's etc?.
I am running Transas iSailor (one off $55) that I am very happy with for coastal. But admittedly its a little annoying to zoom in at greater zoom along a track to see hazards details, however this does make me also look at the paper charts for any route (I only refer to the Crawfords now, as its much , much easier than full sized paper charts.)
Select to expand quotesamsturdy said..
Hooray, finally I have Navionics on my ipad. I put on more NSW coast maps than
I'm going to need. If in the future I need to extend the coastline maps, can I do
that ? or am I stuck with what I've got. I'm going to try it out tomorow.
Thank you everybody for your input
As long as you have internet (wifi) connection, you can download more areas, even if your subscription has expired, it just won't be the latest.
As to the raster v vector chart debate, it just mostly comes down to personal opinion. I think Navionics is perfectly fine for most uses, particularly if just enjoying your local area, and it does have some neat little features like linked photos etc.
I just wonder how many of us have carefully and accurately applied all the chart updates using correct symbols and in the correct order to every chart we use or may use?
E-charts are routinely updated.
Cheers
Bristle
FR, that is exactly what l am trying to avoid at all costs, the extra craps on the app. like photoes and other 'toys'.
I am navigating with the program not playing tourist, sight seeing etc.
That is the reason l am very fond of MMap.
The navigation palette is tunable, mine is like this at the moment:
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
FR, that is exactly what l am trying to avoid at all costs, the extra craps on the app. like photoes and other 'toys'.
I am navigating with the program not playing tourist, sight seeing etc.
That is the reason l am very fond of MMap.
The navigation palette is tunable, mine is like this at the moment:
I'm not sure that I would class photos as tourist toys, Allen Lucas makes very good photographic navigational explanations on entering ports etc. and if a fellow cruiser leaves a note on a chart indicating an anchorage or fishing spot they enjoyed or not I have no issue with that. But that being said we also plotted our course on paper charts, tho at times with a good beam sea it was trying 
Select to expand quoteFreeRadical said..
You mean like this oldboyracer?
Love it 
other than the built in gps we use the bad elf gps unit, that by the way was developed for use in aircraft in conjunction with iPad. It's probably more accurate and also gives altitude +/- 10 ft !
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said..
I just wonder how many of us have carefully and accurately applied all the chart updates using correct symbols and in the correct order to every chart we use or may use?
E-charts are routinely updated.
Cheers
Bristle
E-Charts may be routinely updated, but how often to sailors update the card in their Chartplotter? This was brought home to me recently as I wondered about the difference in river bar entry information between my Garmin Chartplotter and my iPad Navionics. I had paper charts too, but hadn't updated them. As it happened, a pretty significant change - a green starboard pole re-painted red two weeks earlier because the channel had moved - hadn't yet been updated anywhere.
Plan A is to update my Chartplotter map card!
Select to expand quoteFreeRadical said..
As long as you have internet (wifi) connection, you can download more areas, even if your subscription has expired, it just won't be the latest.
As to the raster v vector chart debate, it just mostly comes down to personal opinion. I think Navionics is perfectly fine for most uses, particularly if just enjoying your local area, and it does have some neat little features like linked photos etc.
If you have a dedicated marine chart plotter, device with raster charts and another device with vector charts, you are well covered.
I think a device with large screen is desirable for route planning, i.e. laptop with Quick Maps which is kept below.
A good sized tablet with Navionics is a useful tool. With WiFi you can download complete charts for all of Aus in a couple of hours. The tablet needs a quad core processor and in built GPS chip. Last time I checked Navionics will not work for navigation on a device using an external GPS.
I renew my CMap on the plotter every year or 18 months. So the MMap.
I use android, no iPhone or iPad here.
The 10.1 inch tablet gives plenty of 'plotting power', do not need larger screen.Yet.
And internet works with the mobile Wi-Fi along the coast.
Sorry to disappoint sirG but I downloaded Navionics. I tried it out in Pittwater yesterday and
for what I want it will do very well. Remember we are not blue water sailors, Missus and I just
want to poke around local inland waters and know where we are and what direction to go to
move on. I'm sure Navionics will do more than just show me where I am and what speed I'm
doing but I've got to find out what it will do, I've got to find out how to drive it.
Saintpeter....my ipad is an elderly 4th generation that you can probably pick up very cheaply
at a CEX store or similar place. 4th gen have built in GPS and once Navionics is downloaded
it operates off the satellite, no need for any data input. If the IOS is not sufficient then like
mine it can be upgraded for free.
It's all good Sam. If it suits you, fine. Just be careful! There are hidden bits in it.
Select to expand quotesamsturdy said..
Saintpeter....my ipad is an elderly 4th generation ... 4th gen have built in GPS
to avoid confusion, whether or not an iPad has a GPS chip is not to do with the generation.
every generation of the iPad has two basic variants: WiFi-only, or WiFi + Cellular. the WiFi-only models do not have an internal GPS chip. the WiFi + Cellular models can take a SIM card, however you do not need an active SIM card for the GPS to work.
personally i would not recommend buying an iPad older than the first generation iPad Air...
Select to expand quotefishmonkey said..samsturdy said..
Saintpeter....my ipad is an elderly 4th generation ... 4th gen have built in GPS
to avoid confusion, whether or not an iPad has a GPS chip is not to do with the generation.
every generation of the iPad has two basic variants: WiFi-only, or WiFi + Cellular. the WiFi-only models do not have an internal GPS chip. the WiFi + Cellular models can take a SIM card, however you do not need an active SIM card for the GPS to work.
personally i would not recommend buying an iPad older than the first generation iPad Air...
Why ? How does the iPad Air differ from say an old 3rd or 4th ? If running the latest iOS ? And for our proposes using a good quality external GPS
Select to expand quotewoko said..fishmonkey said..samsturdy said..
Saintpeter....my ipad is an elderly 4th generation ... 4th gen have built in GPS
to avoid confusion, whether or not an iPad has a GPS chip is not to do with the generation.
every generation of the iPad has two basic variants: WiFi-only, or WiFi + Cellular. the WiFi-only models do not have an internal GPS chip. the WiFi + Cellular models can take a SIM card, however you do not need an active SIM card for the GPS to work.
personally i would not recommend buying an iPad older than the first generation iPad Air...
Why ? How does the iPad Air differ from say an old 3rd or 4th ? If running the latest iOS ? And for our proposes using a good quality external GPS
because the iPad Air is significantly more powerful than the older non-Air iPads, and each version of iOS tends to need more power. i'm not saying the older ones are not worth having if you already have one, but if you are buying a second hand one now i wouldn't by a non-Air one...
Select to expand quotefishmonkey said..woko said..fishmonkey said..samsturdy said..
Saintpeter....my ipad is an elderly 4th generation ... 4th gen have built in GPS
to avoid confusion, whether or not an iPad has a GPS chip is not to do with the generation.
every generation of the iPad has two basic variants: WiFi-only, or WiFi + Cellular. the WiFi-only models do not have an internal GPS chip. the WiFi + Cellular models can take a SIM card, however you do not need an active SIM card for the GPS to work.
personally i would not recommend buying an iPad older than the first generation iPad Air...
Why ? How does the iPad Air differ from say an old 3rd or 4th ? If running the latest iOS ? And for our proposes using a good quality external GPS
because the iPad Air is significantly more powerful than the older non-Air iPads, and each version of iOS tends to need more power. i'm not saying the older ones are not worth having if you already have one, but if you are buying a second hand one now i wouldn't by a non-Air one...
Phew ! I thought I was about to find out my vintage 3rd gen wifi only job was about to become redundant. That being said I have to close any other apps that are running or else I get little joy out of the GPS / chart plotter apps.
OK, so talking about chart plotting, is there anything like that on my Navionics app ??.
If so how do I access it.??.
If by Chart Plotting you mean plotting a route?Yes. In the map view at the bottom you can see the "route" button.
You get a pop up saying automatic or manual.
I always go manual.
Then just add in your waypoints.
See how you go.
Thanks Cav. Now you have to tell me how to 'add a waypoint', I'm a complete novice, remember.
So having entered a waypoint do I get a line that goes from me to the waypoint that I steer along ??.
And how do you cancel waypoints when you don't need them anymore??.
You sure do get a nice blue line to follow.
Just press and hold the point where you want to go on the screen. You will see it creates a waypoint from your current position.
If you want to be a bit more fancy then you can pre-plan a route by pressing route button at the bottom, then adding various waypoints (as per above). You can move the waypoints around once set. Just click on one to delete.
The version the guy is using in the video looks a bit more fancy than the one i have on my iphone but it gives you the general idea.
Excellent Cav, short and to the point (no pun intended). I'm going to have a bit of fun playing
with this thing. Oh, I wanted an anti glare screen to put on it so I went to the Apple store who told
me they don't sell them and pointed me to JB Hifi. They had a packet with two in it for $6.00.
I went to the counter and the lass said 'that'll be a dollar thanks', What!!! says I. 'Yes, that's
all today thank you' says she. So there you go. This was last Sunday.
Yeah I don't understand some of the naysayers in this thread, its been hard keeping my mouth shut. IMHO you have done exactly the right thing. The 4th gen Ipad is also perfect for your needs. Comes with a decent display and capabable of running the latest Apple Operating System.
Navionics will be fine for your type of sailing SamS, I've used it round Pittwater and coastal cruising for years. Two things to keep in mind.
1. Navionics puts a considerable drain on your iPad battery, even when the screen's dark it still monitors your track etc unless you turn the iPad/App off. Worst situation is to have the iPad on 6% remaining power approaching an anchorage at sunset. Have some back-up power source available.
2. Practice zooming in and out. Zoom out for the big picture and route, but you won't see details. Zoom in for detail about depth, location of buoys, foul ground etc.
Thanks Bushdog. Yes I did notice a reasonable amount of power was used, I think nearly
half the battery in 4/5 hours. However, I do have a 12v outlet (lighter) that I can plug a
charger into if I was ever in a situation you describe.
I had a go at pressing the +/- buttons and was very pleased with what happened. I'm not
asking much (yet) from this technology but I'm happy to have it on board. Oh yes, and I
like the way you can move the chart around by putting your finger on it and dragging it.
It'll do me.
....you can pinch in and out, don't have to use the +/- buttons.
Not sure if you have realized.
OK thanks Cav. I think Missus said I should be able to do that. I don't know if an operation manual
can be downloaded, might be useful. Thanks mate.
