Navionics boating app and on chart plotter - and large scale back-up paper charts for Western Europe and Med.

[Marco64]

'morning, sailors!
I checked previous discussions prior to writing this: some is covered, some isn't - so forgive me, please, if there is some duplication.

I am happy with the Navionics Boating app on both my iPad and iPhone, having used it for the first time for UK waters over the last 12 months. I have just renewed the subscription for another year.

I also have a Raymarine Axiom+ plotter, where I uploaded Navionics UK charts (instead of Lighthouse) using an SD card upon installing it last year: is it still the case that I need to pay, for the same boat, a separate yearly subscription to be able to keep updating the charts on the Raymarine plotter, even though I subscribed to the Navionics Boating app?
I was able to update the charts on the Raymarine plotter using WI-FI a couple of days ago (thankfully as getting to the SD slot is a right pain), but the subscription is running out in a few days.

Also... I am old-school and the thought of not having paper charts, at least to get birds-eye view of the sailing area ahead of me, makes me uncomfortable. So, can you recommend small-scale, charts larger geographic region charts suitable for planning? All UK charts I own are Admiralty, but is this the best source for larger areas, smaller scale?

 

[wonkywinch]

Navionics electronic charts (for your plotter) and the Navionics Boating app are two separate things, you have to pay for both. You don't need to renew either if you're happy with the charts, you just lose the updates (provided you have downloaded all you need before the expiry date).

For paper charts, I prefer Imray but all down to personal taste.

 

[Marco64]

Thank you wonkywinch, much appreciated.
I will renew the electronic charts subscription as well... small fry in the grand scheme of things and for peace of mind. Fair winds...

 

[RunAgroundHard]

My advise is Lighthouse charts on Axiom+ and Navionics on iPad. This gives you two chart systems with a degree of redundancy and also two systems to compare. Certain features that are a danger to surface navigation (of a yacht) do not show up on one electronic chart. This is based on a sample of 2, so, take that as you wish,

Imray are good value for overview charts. However, so are Admiralty if you are just buying a few small scale charts. I don’t think it matters which publisher you use, so go by cost.

Regarding updating SD card in Axiom, do it over WiFi via your phone acting as a hotspot. Saves accessing the card.

 

[Marco64]

Thank you RunAgroundHard,

Now that's a great idea. After all, the Lighthouse charts came with the Raymarine plotter. I think I saw where in the menu I can select which charts to view, either Navionics or Lighthouse (I'm not at the boat).

I updated the navionics charts using the iphone as a hotspot and only took a few minutes, so presumably it will be the same for the Lighthouse ones. Are the costs comparable? I am assuming that any moment I will be asked to renew the Lighthouse subscription too (everything I have - hardware and software - was purchased a year ago).

On a side note... anybody else excited about Starlink Mini coming to UK soon? The idea of deploying a 12V, tiny internet dish in any marina, buoy or anchorage of the world to check forecast, read the news and do chores online, is positively exciting for me.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I think Starlink will be great but find that on the west coast of Scotland, even with a few blind spots, 4/5G is satisfactory.

Don’t know the cost difference between Navionics and Lighthouse chart cards or update service. Should be easy to establish.

 

[dunedin]

Where are you planning to sail, as that might make a difference to your choices in terms of both electronic and paper charts.

Navionics are generally good but as you have found out, not necessarily cheap as plotter charts different licence from the tablet/ phone apps. Sailing NW UK with few moving sandbanks, I tend to buy a chart plotter update in March of Year 1, update free a few days before the 12 month period expires in March Year 2. I will probably then update again in Year 3 March, but sometimes leave a bit longer depending on where sailing.
I also like paper charts for route planning and rock spotting, and liked the old Admiralty Small Craft Folios so bought the last versions of them. But nowadays generally buy for just £25 an electronic set of the full UKHO raster charts for the entire UK and run on iPad using MemoryMap (along with Antares Charts for Scotland only). The raster charts are the same image as paper chart, and help see things differently from vector charts like Navionics

 

[Marco64]

I think Starlink will be great but find that on the west coast of Scotland, even with a few blind spots, 4/5G is satisfactory.

Don’t know the cost difference between Navionics and Lighthouse chart cards or update service. Should be easy to establish.

True, I haven't yet run out of 4G in the UK but I fear having to need lots of 4g sims and / or roaming charges when island-hopping the Med from next year. Thank you again, very helpful.

 

[Marco64]

Where are you planning to sail, as that might make a difference to your choices in terms of both electronic and paper charts.

Navionics are generally good but as you have found out, not necessarily cheap as plotter charts different licence from the tablet/ phone apps. Sailing NW UK with few moving sandbanks, I tend to buy a chart plotter update in March of Year 1, update free a few days before the 12 month period expires in March Year 2. I will probably then update again in Year 3 March, but sometimes leave a bit longer depending on where sailing.
I also like paper charts for route planning and rock spotting, and liked the old Admiralty Small Craft Folios so bought the last versions of them. But nowadays generally buy for just £25 an electronic set of the full UKHO raster charts for the entire UK and run on iPad using MemoryMap (along with Antares Charts for Scotland only). The raster charts are the same image as paper chart, and help see things differently from vector charts like Navionics

Thanks dunedin, spain / Portugal / France year 1; western and southern Italy year 2; Adriatic / Greece / Turkey year 3 (well that's the plan anyway...). Great tips on charts. I love this forum!

 

[Graham376]

We have a mixture of Admiralty and Imray covering France, Portugal & SW Spain. If updating, I would stick with Imray.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Imray do folios / chart packs for the Med:

• 3210 Gibraltar to Cabo de la Nao Chart Pack
• 3220 Cabo de la Nao to the French border Chart Pack
• 3200 Islas Baleares Chart Pack

 

[dunedin]

Thanks dunedin, spain / Portugal / France year 1; western and southern Italy year 2; Adriatic / Greece / Turkey year 3 (well that's the plan anyway...). Great tips on charts. I love this forum!

Like others, for paper perhaps start with Imray ..

 

[Marco64]

Thank you all. Every day is a school day with boats...