A MUST HAVE FOR ALL BOATERS AND IT'S FREE

[Leojay]

WOW, this is something that every boater should have regardless of what equipment they already have on board.
Check out my latest video on this great free app.

 

[212s]

The app is free, the subscription to use it is not. I used it last summer as we started boating in new areas and it's decent. I bought a chartplotter to mount in the dash this spring though so don't need the app anymore.

 

[four_the_kids]

My concern is, would it continue to work in an area where you lose your cell service?

 

[212s]

My concern is, would it continue to work in an area where you lose your cell service?

Yes, if you download the maps to your phone with an active subscription. I did that so it doesn't use as much data while boating. Not sure if it will work in a dead-zone though as I think it needs a data connection when you start the app to verify your subscription. It worked well enough, but I found it really kills the battery as the screen is maxed out and you're running GPS 100%, and it's too small on a phone. A tablet might be better if it's bright enough.

 

[four_the_kids]

Yes, if you download the maps to your phone with an active subscription. I did that so it doesn't use as much data while boating. Not sure if it will work in a dead-zone though as I think it needs a data connection when you start the app to verify your subscription. It worked well enough, but I found it really kills the battery as the screen is maxed out and you're running GPS 100%, and it's too small on a phone. A tablet might be better if it's bright enough.

With that being said, I believe we're going to invest in a marine gps unit. ThanX

 

[dbfl]

I've been using the Navionics app on the water for more than three years. The auto-routing and "sonar chart" are wonderful for navigating the relatively shallow places I usually boat. I have it set for a 3 ft. "shallow area" - dark blue with dots, and white is 6 ft depth or more.

When in a downloaded map area, it does not require an Internet connection at all. I just put my phone in airplane mode, brought it up and did a new auto-route. Worked exactly as it does when on the net.

At least with my phone, it's kept plugged in to the nearby 12V outlet (with a USB adapter) on the boat and the phone still charges while the app is running. There's also an option in the UI - "easy view" to make the print larger.

No doubt a nice Simrad or other purpose-built chartplotter could do as well or better. However Navionics does everything at least I need, for a very reasonable $15/yr. Map updates are at least once a week, and I've seen small changes in my area after an update.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Navionics was awesome and I used it all last year. The challenge for me was reading it on my phone, it was small for me. I figured I would just add my tablet to the boat, but then the waterproof concerns in a rain is an issue. So I ended going with a Garmin Chart/Plotter for the screen size, 9".