Marine Navigator App for Android

[judsonj]

I recently downloaded the free version of this app on my phone and tablet. It seems pretty nice but obviously pretty limited in the 'lite' version. I was wondering if anyone here has used the full paid version? I have not done a survey of the available software (because most of it costs a little money) so I am really not sure what features are available and how the paid version of this product compares to what is out there at the same price point.

I like that I can download the maps from NOAA and pretty easily load them onto my device for offline use with Marine Navigator. The interface seems pretty good though I am really just day sailing in the puget sound so I don't exactly qualify as an intensive user.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Joe]

The lite version is getting pretty shaky reviews.... I'd either pay the $10 for Navionics... by far the highest rated of the smartphone nav apps, or go to the NOAA site and get their free mobile app..... my guess is it's similar to SeaClearII, a pc chartplotter they've given away for years.

 

[Richard Bryer]

MyNOAA charts doesn't look to bad- I have not used it on the water yet but it loos better than Marine Navigator. The problem with this side of the lake ( Ontario) is finding free charts.

 

[judsonj]

The lite version is getting pretty shaky reviews.... I'd either pay the $10 for Navionics... by far the highest rated of the smartphone nav apps, or go to the NOAA site and get their free mobile app..... my guess is it's similar to SeaClearII, a pc chartplotter they've given away for years.

Good to hear. I don't think the NOAA app is available anymore. This is from their site "While Coast Survey will remove the beta app from the Google Play Store on March 29th, the testing phase was important to the next generation of NOAA’s charting products." That was from 2013. I searched the Google Play store and found nothing so my thinking is that I will need to wait until the next version of the app is released.

Regarding Navionics, I have heard so many different prices. I have seen some people saying it costs $50 others $10. On the google play store a search of 'Navionics' produces a dizzying number of options. Navionics, Navionics HD, Marine and Lakes: USA. In an attempt to try it out a bit I downloaded the free version but it appeared that I would need to purchase the maps for $10. Is this the same as buying the paid version titled Marine and Lakes: USA? I live very close to Canada so I am considering purchasing the US and Canada version.

 

[Brian D]

I purchased both for my Tablet. I have decided to not use Navionics. I found their charts to close to artwork found in a 3 year old crib. The data on the Naviconics charts was useless to me. A lot of symbols like birds sitting on the water. I really do not care about birds sitting on the water. (See attached of my harbor. Top is NOAA bottom is Navionics.)

I don't have the lite version of Marine Navigator. But I do like it much better. Although Navionics was easy to use, once I got use to MN I found I basically could do the same thing that Navionics could do.

The problem is our friends up north. They have limited access to good charts so must rely on third party charts such as Navionics. I actually researched navionics charts and found they do not make them. It is another company that does the charting and sells them to other vendors.

The Navionics' programs are free. The HD version is for tablets. You are paying premium for the charts, not the software.

Added: Screen shot of Marine Navigator from my Android. The boat is not visible because I am at home.

 

[Joe]

I don't have a three year old to compare my Navionics with.... but it looks fine to me but there's only so much usable detail on a smartphone screen. So I keep it on a wider view than most. If you're trying to drive while you're looking at you smartphone chart, you'll likely go off course anyway.

 

[judsonj]

Although Navionics was easy to use, once I got use to MN I found I basically could do the same thing that Navionics could do.

As a person that is pretty new to boating and certainly new to charting apps, what is the functionality that you learned to do in MN that was also in Navionics?

Generally I am leaning towards Marine Navigator (full version) because I like all the details that seemingly get lost in the proprietary maps used by Navionics.

 

[Randylb]

When Navionics first came out with an app for the iPhone I bought the Great Lakes version and I believe it was 9.99. Then when they updated to a Canada US version with North American coverage for around $20 I upgraded to that and still considered that a bargain. Then when they came up with the HD version for the Ipad, well, I also purchased that one for 49.99. When one considers what you pay for chips for chart plotters or CHS charts at $20 per chart I was ecstatic to get that kind of coverage with the functionality that comes with it for that price.

I also have the Garmin bluecharts app with the same coverage area and the Navimatics app for the Great Lakes. Given the relative low cost it is good to have the redundancy and ability to cross reference.

On the boat I have a Standard Horizon Chartplotter using a C map card of the Great Lakes and of course paper charts.

I've played with Marine Navigator but if you travel outside of the US the costs are quite high to subscribe to their chart database.

So, having all of the above available, the Navionics HD app on my ipad is my 'go to' for planning, plotting and piloting. For the Great Lakes area, at least where I travel primarily on the Canadian side, it has the most accurate coverage and provides the most detail. I have found errors when travelling in some remote areas of the North Channel but have with every electronic chart I've used and therefore the ability to cross reference is a nice option. (Keep in mind I started boating using only paper charts so I'm still just happy to have an accurate lat/long fix and amazed by how accurate and how much information electronic charts do provide)

Randy

 

[Brian D]

As a person that is pretty new to boating and certainly new to charting apps, what is the functionality that you learned to do in MN that was also in Navionics?

Generally I am leaning towards Marine Navigator (full version) because I like all the details that seemingly get lost in the proprietary maps used by Navionics.

I seem to recall that in Navionics, one could place a marker and check distance and heading easily from a sidebar menu. In Marine Navigator, one has to go into sub menus to do the same thing. At first it was annoying to not be able to do something as easy as that, but it didn't take long to figure out a shortcut.

There were other things that I can't remember but that was the biggest issue, save for what I feel are inferior maps over NOAA maps. To me attention to detail in imagery is as important as ease of use. But this is a personal preference shared only by me, myself, and I.