iPad app to display AIS

DoubleEnder

Well-known member
Joined
27 Apr 2002
Messages
1,445
Location
N Hemisphere
Visit site
I’ve just acquired an AIS class B set which transmits over WiFi. I have no onboard network and don’t want one. I want to display the AIS output on a tablet and I’m interested to know which tablet apps people are using for this? I currently use Navionics on iPad which is a convenient basic chart plotter with some useful stuff such as tidal data. However, I can not overlay AIS on this. So I’m thinking about alternatives. Sailing U.K. and French coastal waters.
I had thought about getting a new Android plotter eg from London Chart Plotters, and may do that. But if there’s an iPad app I can use that would be interesting
Any suggestions?
Thank you
 

RichardS

N/A
Joined
5 Nov 2009
Messages
29,236
Location
Home UK Midlands / Boat Croatia
Visit site
The first question to address is whether the manufacturer of your AIS unit provides their own app. If so, I would definitely install that one and see how you get on with it.

It will probably be a radar-type display which can be very useful. There are several such apps available but you might as well stick with the manufs.

The second type of display is a chart display. I use OpenCPN for that. There is less choice for this type but OpenCPN is probably the best anyway.

Richard
 

Habebty

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
4,510
Location
Norfolk/Suffolk
Visit site
I have a GPS enabled iPad with iSailor on it. Talks nicely to my Vesper AIS over the Vesper WiFi. I Sailor have recently changed to a subscription service though so if you want up to date charts, will cost about £14.00 each year. You will need an iPad with a sim slot, but no need for the SIM card. Only the iPads with a sim slot have gps capability. You may possibly be able to use a WiFi only iPad hotspotted to an iPhone to provide location data.
 
Last edited:

Tradewinds

Well-known member
Joined
12 Jan 2003
Messages
4,099
Location
Suffolk
www.laurelberrystudio.com
2nd iSailor & AIS via Vesper.

BTW they will keep updating, for free, existing charts purchased prior the change of owner Transas>Wartsila. There was a big hoo-ha and Wartsila eventually agreed to honour the existing Transas contract for free chart updates for the charts bought by Transas customers.

New users will be charged a yearly subscription regardless as will any new charts bought by existing Transas customers.

Still a shame that OpenCPN isn't available on IOS devices like iPads - OpenCPN AIS is the best IMO.

I have a GPS enabled iPad with iSailor on it. Talks nicely to my Vesper AIS over the Vesper WiFi. I Sailor have recently changed to a subscription service though so if you want up to date charts, will cost about £14.00 each year. You will need an iPad with a sim slot, but no need for the SIM card. Only the iPads with a sim slot have gps capability. You may possibly be able to use a WiFi only iPad hotpotted to an iPhone to provide location data.
 

Turnnidge

Member
Joined
7 Jul 2008
Messages
68
Location
Newbury
Visit site
I’m using iSailor and an iPad, although not one with a SIM slot. I have a Ba Elf GPS plug in, that works very well and has a through charging socket so the iPda stays plugged in. I have a Matsutec AIS transceiver that is connected by a Digital Yachts AIS to WiFi device. Then whole setup works well.
 

Blue Fox

Member
Joined
28 Mar 2005
Messages
183
Location
Muiderberg, The Netherlands
Visit site
In iSailor you don't need the GPS of the iPad. You can choose the internal GPS of your AIS transponder - that will give you a more exact position anyway, compared to the iPad GPS. So you could go for the cheaper wifi only iPad.
Digital Yacht has an app that combines the navionics maps with AIS - although the interface is rather primitive (you loose for instance tide and current) .
 

BelleSerene

Active member
Joined
19 Sep 2005
Messages
3,422
Visit site
You may possibly be able to use a WiFi only iPad hotspotted to an iPhone to provide location data.

‘Fraid you won’t; Apple make sure the iPhone doesn’t pass its location over the hotspot.

Your AIS will probably transmit its GPS signal together with the traffic information, so set your charting app to take position from NMEA rather than from iPad GPS - it’ll be in the settings. But if it doesn’t, you’ll need a Bluetooth GPS receiver sitting somewhere on your boat and plugged in to a cigar/ USB socket.
 

Habebty

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
4,510
Location
Norfolk/Suffolk
Visit site
In iSailor you don't need the GPS of the iPad. You can choose the internal GPS of your AIS transponder - that will give you a more exact position anyway, compared to the iPad GPS. So you could go for the cheaper wifi only iPad.) .

‘Fraid you won’t; Apple make sure the iPhone doesn’t pass its location over the hotspot.

Your AIS will probably transmit its GPS signal together with the traffic information, so set your charting app to take position from NMEA rather than from iPad GPS - it’ll be in the settings. But if it doesn’t, you’ll need a Bluetooth GPS receiver sitting somewhere on your boat and plugged in to a cigar/ USB socket.

Thanks, both useful facts. Although the guy in the Apple Store said I could hotspot location info over wifi? Still went for the gps iPad though.
 

BelleSerene

Active member
Joined
19 Sep 2005
Messages
3,422
Visit site
Thanks, both useful facts. Although the guy in the Apple Store said I could hotspot location info over wifi? Still went for the gps iPad though.

It's shocking that he’s wrong, but he’s wrong. A lot of people think it works because they think they’ve tried it. But notice that the iPad’s location is much more approximate than the iPhone’s.

All the iPad is doing is using the stored locations of local WiFi access points that it can see, to give it an approximate location - your computer also knows its approximate location the same way.

The small problem is that approximate isn’t good enough for dodging rocks or sand bars, but the big one is that there are no WiFi access points at sea! You could take your SIM card out, or turn off mobile data, and try it, and thank yourself that you bought the GPS version.
 
Last edited:

RichardS

N/A
Joined
5 Nov 2009
Messages
29,236
Location
Home UK Midlands / Boat Croatia
Visit site
In iSailor you don't need the GPS of the iPad. You can choose the internal GPS of your AIS transponder - that will give you a more exact position anyway, compared to the iPad GPS. So you could go for the cheaper wifi only iPad.
Digital Yacht has an app that combines the navionics maps with AIS - although the interface is rather primitive (you loose for instance tide and current) .

I also use the GPS info transmitted over NMEA to provide location into on my tablet when using OpenCPN or any other AIS display because this means that I can turn off the GPS on the tablet and extend the battery life.

Richard
 
Joined
10 Mar 2013
Messages
30
Visit site
I’ve just acquired an AIS class B set which transmits over WiFi. I have no onboard network and don’t want one. I want to display the AIS output on a tablet and I’m interested to know which tablet apps people are using for this? I currently use Navionics on iPad which is a convenient basic chart plotter with some useful stuff such as tidal data. However, I can not overlay AIS on this. So I’m thinking about alternatives. Sailing U.K. and French coastal waters.
I had thought about getting a new Android plotter eg from London Chart Plotters, and may do that. But if there’s an iPad app I can use that would be interesting
Any suggestions?
Thank you

Hi,wele be glad to help,Our app will handle transonders (the only app that can)

weve 6" semi rugged new in for 99,00, or 8" openbox returnes for 135,,or refurbed 10,1 ffor 150.

a..i.s. is 80 extra includes miny vhf.

All tablets come wih full quality kit,sony 12v charger,proper tablet mains charger,suction stand,bar mount,antigkare film fitted.
12 months guarantee by US,,,not sent away...if you join as a member,who get free undates every year as well

regards


steve Loondonchartoplotters
 

Tomahawk

Well-known member
Joined
5 Sep 2010
Messages
19,148
Location
Where life is good
Visit site
Look up MAIB report into the sinking of Pegety on the Humber(?)..

They were using an iPad AIS app for navigation... and failed to see the ship that ran over them because the App is displaying delayed data...
 

Sandy

Well-known member
Joined
31 Aug 2011
Messages
21,953
Location
On the Celtic Fringe
duckduckgo.com
I'm confused about what that has got to do with this thread? :confused:
I think it is more to do with the belief that the computer is always right. While I have an AIS transceiver on-board it is there to let family and friends, and the CG/lifeboat know where I am. Thankfully I have stereoscopic vision and good spatial awareness and can work our if I am going to hit another vessel or not.
 

requiem

Active member
Joined
20 Mar 2019
Messages
270
Visit site
I’ve just acquired an AIS class B set which transmits over WiFi. I have no onboard network and don’t want one. I want to display the AIS output on a tablet and I’m interested to know which tablet apps people are using for this? I currently use Navionics on iPad which is a convenient basic chart plotter with some useful stuff such as tidal data.

I primarily use SEAiq recreational on my phone for a navigation app, and it supports AIS over wifi (and GPS if needed). Unlike Navionics it doesn't include its own charts, but it supports various formats assuming you have your own.
 
Top