looking for a phone app for navigation

[Ronald]

Anyone using an app for navigation on their smart phone? Was looking for something to assist in night navigation as well as the ability to store routs and way points. But mainly on thise cloudy nights. Some good gps units out there but wanted it for my phone if its accurate. Tx

 

[nasa_vin]

I have been using the Navionics Boating HD app. on my LG G2. It's free or you can get a yearly subscription for $50. You do get a week trial to try out their charts. They are more detailed, but I couldn't see the need to pay. I just use the Govt. charts that are free and they seem to be fine.

 

[Ronnie]

X 2 on navionics, I have it for my iPhone and iPad, $10 and $50 respectively, plus &5 to $15 for extra features. If you get the tablet version but don't have cellular / gps on it it can be used like a paper map (if you download the maps at a wifi hot spot) but won't show you where you are in real time.

 

[robert843]

X3 on navionics to be honest it's better then my dedicated garmin marine GPS. I bought the $10 basic maps and many of the upgrades best upgrade is the automatic charting pick a starting point and end point and it charts the best safe path.

 

[JetPowered]

I've not tried Navionics yet so I can't comment. Try Motion-X GPS for the rather unreasonable price of $2. I've used this for all sorts of activities from tracking my flight speed on commercial flights, to hiking, biking, hunting, etc. It has worked well on the boat and you can preload in map tiles for offline use.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/motionx-gps/id299949744?mt=8

 

[jfkraus]

I have Navionics on my iPhone. Works great where there's cell coverage.

 

[ncnmra]

I think with the iPhone App you can select an area to "pre-download" so you don't have to have data when using it on the boat. Is this correct?

 

[Speedling]

I believe so, on either the iphone or Android versions you can download, BUT you need to have purchased the map for that area. For example, I tried downloading a small section of Lake Michigan where I normally go boating, and it said I can only download from maps I have purchased. I haven't purchased any, so I don't get to download.
The maps that you pay for also have much more clarity and have depth as well.
Since I have the free version, could someone do a screenshot of the detail on a paid version?

 

[Speedling]

The detail of free version. My lake ain't a triangle!

 

[Speedling]

From Google Maps:

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Check out Bad Elf to add to your iPad.

http://bad-elf.com/pages/marine

 

[scot71]

Here ya go @Speedling

 

[Speedling]

Awesome!
So you can see the amount of difference in the paid product vs free!
BTW, ain't no way a part of my lake is 16 foot deep, lol

 

[Murf'n'surf]

That might be in fathoms?

 

[robert843]

I have Navionics on my iPhone. Works great where there's cell coverage.

As long as the maps are preloaded you should be able to use it even with no cell service. I used it in Bimini in the Bahamas last year with no issues and no cell service only location services turned on

 

[tim2808]

I used the Navonic's app on the Bimini 2014 JetBoater's trip. After downloading all the maps at home for the Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini area it worked fine. I used it on an iPhone 5S. GPS does not work with the phone in airplane mode and you will pickup cell service in Bimini, so make sure you don't use the internet or answer any text messages unless you setup international roaming. GPS tracking does not use your data. It worked perfectly though.

This was before they implemented the yearly subscription fee.

 

[Speedling]

Wait, they have a yearly subscription fee you have to pay now? That stinks. How much is it a year?

Also, has anyone used it on multiple devices with one subscription/purchase?
I would like to be able to use it on my phone and the awesome tablet we won at Shelbyville this year but don't want to pay for it twice.

 

[sysinu]

I have Navionics HD on my phone and iPad and don't have any type of subscription fee...

 

[JetPowered]

GPS does not work with the phone in airplane mode and you will pickup cell service in Bimini, so make sure you don't use the internet or answer any text messages unless you setup international roaming

FWIW, the iPhone under iOS 8.2 or later CAN use GPS in airplane mode, netting a battery savings or avoiding unwanted data connection.

I have used my 5S and 6S on recent flights and when seated in a window, I get great reception.

 

[Ronnie]

I paid a one time license fee for the basic apps. There were separate licenses fees for the iphone and iPad ($10 and $50 as I recall). There were optional features/maps for an additonal fee ($5 and $15) which I also purchased but don't remember if they were recurring or one time fees. so far it's been worth every penny.

I use the phone on my pwcs and the tablet on the boat. When I'm not using either (which is most of the time) i don't feel bad about having an idle asset since it didn't cost must when compared to a dedicated unit and the device has other uses.