Handheld Chartplotters or navionics on iPhone?

[Nina Lucia]

Any recomendations on small AA bateries operated handheld chartplotter that we can use on Etap 23 without battery charger in Croatia/ Adriatic?
I am not surre if I can use navionics on my iPhone 5 ?

 

[prv]

You certainly can use Navionics on an iPhone 5 if you want. I use it on my 4.

Pete

 

[Nina Lucia]

Thanks Pete,
Do I need to change sim card to Croatian one or I can stay with EE that I have at the moment OR doesnt make any diference? I just wander will be any charges for using it abroad?
Thanks
Best regards
Ivan

 

[peter2407]

Download all of the charts you want either before you go, or via wifi when you are there and you should be good to go.. But do test it before you go re zoomability accuracy etc

 

[Nina Lucia]

Thanks, sounds like iPhone solution

 

[ctva]

As an alternative, consider the Garmin Montana. A great small chart plotter that will take marine a well as OS maps. Takes AA batteries too. I've had one for two years now and use it as a backup on the big boat (quite often I use it and don't bother with the SH300 main plotter) and on RIBs for RYA Advanced work.

 

[duncan99210]

If you've already got an iPhone, then I'd say Navonics is the way to go. To make sure the charts are downloaded to the phone, you just need to zoom in on the area you're interested in: this will cause the app to download the detailed charts for that area. Do that for the area you're cruising and you don't need an Internet connection to use the app whilst you're in Croatia. Remember buying a handheld plotter is only part of the expense, you the have to buy the charts to go with it, so £40 or so for the Navonics app sounds good to me.

 

[ctva]

.. Remember buying a handheld plotter is only part of the expense, you the have to buy the charts to go with it, so £40 or so for the Navonics app sounds good to me.

True... But is the iPhone waterproof and does it allow you to change batteries and how readable in bright sun?

 

[bbg]

Any recomendations on small AA bateries operated handheld chartplotter that we can use on Etap 23 without battery charger in Croatia/ Adriatic?
I am not surre if I can use navionics on my iPhone 5 ?

That is pretty important. Your iPhone will run through its battery pretty quickly if used for nav. If you can't charge it via the ship's battery you will probably need a spare battery to support the power draw while it is in use. Then charge the phone and the external battery overnight.

Waterproof is less of an issue if you're careful. Or get a LifeProof case (not cheap).

 

[TSB240]

As an alternative, consider the Garmin Montana. A great small chart plotter that will take marine a well as OS maps. Takes AA batteries too. I've had one for two years now and use it as a backup on the big boat (quite often I use it and don't bother with the SH300 main plotter) and on RIBs for RYA Advanced work.

Another very happy Montana user. Problem remains with any Phone or tablet is the ability to use it in either bright sunshine or wet conditions and the need to keep it charged is paramount.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

+1 for iPhone - the hardware is just so much better than a handheld gps - as stated, it does burn through its battery quickly. Get a rugged case, and ensure you have another means of charging it, simples. If left plugged into to the ships supply I believe an iPhone can draw a maximum of 1.25 amps at five volts.

Rugged case: (Do some research, this is just the first I found - "Waterproof" is a very loose definition where cases are involved. There are good ones, and bad ones)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/iPhone-Plus...r=8-13&keywords=iphone+waterproof+rugged+case

Charge by solar:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Folda...53&sr=8-1&keywords=Anker+solar+iphone+charger

Charge by batteries (this will TAKE charge from the solar panels too):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PortaPow-Ba...=1432199250&sr=8-1&keywords=AA+iphone+charger

You can play Angry Birds on it too...

Edit: Alternatively, do what we did, and buy a Hudl 2 (£99 - worry not, you can play Angry birds on this too) and keep your iPhone as a backup. Waterproof case for it and Velcro to mount it somewhere in the cockpit for when you don't want to hold it.