Charts for Ipad

[Jurgen]

Hi All,

Aftter a recent theft of my chartplotter I am considering buying charts for my Ipad as an alternative to a dedicated chartplotter.

Does anyone else use this technology and if so can anyone recommend the best chart package to buy.

Have seen offerings from Navionics and Imrays but dont know which is the most detailed/user freindly.

Regards

Jurgen

 

[thomshap]

My brother uses the navionics and loves it, it is very good.

 

[SolentPhill]

My brother uses the navionics and loves it, it is very good.

And a little confusing, not over easy to use.

 

[imac8]

+1 for Navionics. Intuitive enough to use.

I have an open cockpit and therefore prefer my fixed chartplotter but's it's a handy reference tool.

 

[Vara]

I have Imray package and am more than happy with it.

Caveat, cos I'm an old person I prefer the paper " lookalike" charts.

I've got the Navionics app but although it seems OK I don't feel at home with it.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Navionics on iPad as a backup to our marine plotter

 

[Paul_G]

I have the Navionics UK-Holland charts, but was very disappointed when I tried to download the Eastern Med charts (for next years charter), but these are not available to UK based users.

In the end I downloaded PLAN2NAV which are from Jeppson and based on C Map charting which is what I have on the boats chartplotter. The base app is free with the different chart areas being purchased (£39 for Eastern Med)

 

[PCUK]

Navionics √

 

[Vara]

I have the Navionics UK-Holland charts, but was very disappointed when I tried to download the Eastern Med charts (for next years charter), but these are not available to UK based users.

In the end I downloaded PLAN2NAV which are from Jeppson and based on C Map charting which is what I have on the boats chartplotter. The base app is free with the different chart areas being purchased (£39 for Eastern Med)

Just had a look and it looks pretty good.

What I can't get my head round is the enormous price disparity between chart chips for plotter and charts for apps.

Cmap UK £26.99 for iPad , £204.95 for Navman plotter, broadly similar coverage and same charts.

 

[Spi D]

Just had a look and it looks pretty good.

What I can't get my head round is the enormous price disparity between chart chips for plotter and charts for apps.

Cmap UK £26.99 for iPad , £204.95 for Navman plotter, broadly similar coverage and same charts.

Sellers are allowed to ask for whatever price they want. And tend to do so until something forces them or they establish a strategy to change.

I think 'competition' is the keyword.

Nevertheless I too am happy to see that I can get all I need for a fraction of the chartplotter chart price

It has shortcomings though (not weatherproof, interfacing to other devices etc.) but that is not very important (to me).

 

[oceanfroggie]

iPad has proven a useful backup and DR planning tool, but kludgey for proper planing compared to PC side of a chartplotter suite. iPad can't cope with wet, damp, direct sun light, shock, or use in rough weather. Also lacks interfaces to other nav kit, radar, AIS, VHF DSC, ap, log, sounder, etc. But for tidal planning, portable weather data via www, Skype, and a basic backup up plotter it is great not to mention portable email and web access with 3G model.

Froggies favourite iPad marine apps: (in order of use)

o - TidesPlan11 (works offline)
o - Weather4D - best visual weather presentation I've seen
o - WeaterTrack ( only use for wave height )
o - Navionics Uk/Holland HD (works offline)
o - Safari - for port, marina, services data

 

[neiloakley]

Navionics +1

Once you get the hang of it - its very easy. Even has depth alarms.

Only wish it could figure out the current height of the water above chart data based on tidal curves. Then it could warn you if your passage will take you into shallow water depending on your speed/planned route instead of just an alarm when you get into shallow water.

 

[benjenbav]

Navionics +1

Once you get the hang of it - its very easy. Even has depth alarms.

Only wish it could figure out the current height of the water above chart data based on tidal curves. Then it could warn you if your passage will take you into shallow water depending on your speed/planned route instead of just an alarm when you get into shallow water.

Try adding AyeTides XL

 

[cdogg]

Navionics √

+1 New user, very pleased.

 

[Jurgen]

mmmmm Maybe might use the Ipad as a back up only?

Like the idea of dedicated chartplotter to work with AIS/DSC VHF etc but have very limited budget!

 

[hector]

Used navionics on our hols to France this summer, only took it as back up,but proved its worth when plotter went down. If you have an ipad and take it to the boat, it's a must, it even lays wind speed and direction onto the chart, v usefull when crossing channel.

 

[Giblets]

Have a look at iSailor maybe as an alternative to Navionics.

 

[Wandering Star]

I use an iPad and Navionics for backup but the most glaring omission in my view is the complete omission of lat/long information- or is there an option I've missed?

 

[hector]

I use an iPad and Navionics for backup but the most glaring omission in my view is the complete omission of lat/long information- or is there an option I've missed?

Just go to track, touch the moving icon( ur current position) hey presto!!

 

[John100156]

......iPad can't cope with wet, damp, direct sun light, shock, or use in rough weather. Also lacks interfaces to other nav kit, radar, AIS, VHF DSC, ap, log

Well it did with Navionics for me on a 500nm trip from Gibralta to Sant Carles in Feb/Mar this year!

Coped as well as my old Raymarine C80 on the flybridge, in some rough seas too! Couldn't of done it much harm, I am using it to type this.....

It also interfaces perfectly with Raymarines new multi-purpose display, check out Raymarines web site, you can also play your favourite iPad music on their display......