iPhone, Google Earth and Bembridge

[FinesseChris]

Just a cautionary tale, to balance the enthusiatic reception for the iPhone in PBO etc..

Playing with the iPhone Navionics plotter, I entered a route into Bembridge. Then I transfer same to Google Earth (via email) and have a look: my route, as overlaid on the photo, is well east of the bouyed approach channel and heading straight for the sand.

Not (for once) operator error, as it turns out, but old data: Google Earth's view of Bembridge dates from 2003, and a lot can happen to that channel in seven years....

Google Earth as a nav aid is fine for people where there are rocks that don't move, but round here the mud tends to shift!

I will still be using the iPhone/Navionics as a super aid to tides, outline plotting, phone nos etc etc, but the best aid to getting into Bembridge remains, as ever, is the Mk 1 eyeball.

Chris

 

[bluerm166]

shifting Somme on google earth

I suppose its not surprising that the Somme estuary shifts quicker than Google but it was striking to see by how much on this track of a sea kayak trip in which we followed a primary channel out at low springs.
http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/map#Stourmouth/Sea-Kayak/France/Daytrip/24/full
Explains why the Phare and Balises yard at St Valery has such a nice variety of brightly coloured buoys.

 

[Resolution]

Thanks a lot. I'm planning to fit a Garmin with the Google earth overlay in a couple of weeks time, and Bembridge is our first scheduled outing after Easter! Could have been a Whoops! (Again.)

 

[Nico]

Just a cautionary tale, to balance the enthusiatic reception for the iPhone in PBO etc..

Playing with the iPhone Navionics plotter, I entered a route into Bembridge. Then I transfer same to Google Earth (via email) and have a look: my route, as overlaid on the photo, is well east of the bouyed approach channel and heading straight for the sand.

Not (for once) operator error, as it turns out, but old data: Google Earth's view of Bembridge dates from 2003, and a lot can happen to that channel in seven years....

Google Earth as a nav aid is fine for people where there are rocks that don't move, but round here the mud tends to shift!

I will still be using the iPhone/Navionics as a super aid to tides, outline plotting, phone nos etc etc, but the best aid to getting into Bembridge remains, as ever, is the Mk 1 eyeball.

Chris

Hang on, aren't you saying that it was the aerial photos that were out of date, not the Navionics charts? As Google Earth isn't part of the navigation why would this example be a reason not to use the Navionics software on the iPhone? Apart from the usual reasons for not relying on anything you can't see, I mean.

 

[Garold]

My Iphone dumped all its charge on Wednesday and switched itself off.

It took 12 hours on charge to get it even registering any life in it. And another 24 hours to get to full charge.

And now it's fine.

Beware too much reliance on this very engaging piece of fragile technology.

Best use for the Navionics apps on it? Secret passage planning and dreaming when you are supposed to be working!

Cheers

 

[Stemar]

I use my mobile for making phone calls. I navigate with paper charts assisted by a gps and S. Jobs, esq. has never made a penny out of me, so I'm maybe not the best to understand these newfangled ideas.

However, it seems to me that unless you can download a chart based on a survey carried out since the last big blow, there's only embarrassment-free way into Bembridge, and that's by following the buoyed channel. Even then, you need your wits about you 'cos the the most obvious buoy isn't necessarily the next one!

 

[Refueler]

Just a cautionary tale, to balance the enthusiatic reception for the iPhone in PBO etc..

Playing with the iPhone Navionics plotter, I entered a route into Bembridge. Then I transfer same to Google Earth (via email) and have a look: my route, as overlaid on the photo, is well east of the bouyed approach channel and heading straight for the sand.

Not (for once) operator error, as it turns out, but old data: Google Earth's view of Bembridge dates from 2003, and a lot can happen to that channel in seven years....

Google Earth as a nav aid is fine for people where there are rocks that don't move, but round here the mud tends to shift!

I will still be using the iPhone/Navionics as a super aid to tides, outline plotting, phone nos etc etc, but the best aid to getting into Bembridge remains, as ever, is the Mk 1 eyeball.

Chris

A quick look at Google earth on pc .... shows lots of old data views .... all you have to do is read the small print at bottom of view .... anyone who uses such as guide to enter port etc. should think again.

To give example ..... I have two 'biz' alongside my primary fuel blending ... which involves my travel around the world to fuel storage / terminals .... I look at Google Earth to see an idea of where I'm going .... I now don;t bother - jettys missing, tanks not shown, roads wrong, ships alongside that departed 2 or 3 yrs ago ......

Nice one GE !