AIS reporting opinions please

Ken Cross

Ken Cross

.
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
I recently changed smartphones to a Nexus 5X (Android) and no longer have my apps from my Iphone. One app I really used was Ship Finder. This is a map with AIS reporting which was easy to determine my position relative to AIS information. This is great to avoid ships coming around corners (islands) where we may be in their path.

It's been a while since I've seen this discussion and I know there is newer stuff out there.

My question: What apps do you prefer for this function and why?
Second question: What apps do you find the most useful for sailing and why?

I"m not looking for basic navigation as I have a chartplotter for that.
Ken
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,539
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Ken. Why would you throw your iPhone away on an android?
Solution, get a mini iPad. All the nav apps and AIS Internet based tools you could desire.

Or go big time and get a PC based tablet. Then you can use Rose Point's Coastal Explorer navigation software. Coupled with AIS you have a complete system. Canadian maps only $99 download. USA maps free.
 
Gunni

Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
iSailor (Transas) with the Internet AIS Service add on service ($16/yr). Integrates nicely with their charting, tides, weather tools, and you can copy the tools to multiple devices.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,539
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Interesting resource. I see where the chart costs are $14.99. It is unclear if that is a one time fee or if charged each time the chart receives an update. Any experience? The services like AIS have a term for the fee. i.e $16/ year. Have you had any issues with the iCloud storage of a service? I was not able to see if the maps are downloaded to the iPhone or not. Do you have to have iCloud access in order to view your location on the map?
Looks like an interesting resource.
 
Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

.
Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
I've heard that i'net AIS info can be delayed 20 min or so. Don't know if that's true or not. I really like having the info on the plotter.
 
Joe

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,315
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
I have "Boat Beacon" , but ship finder is popular also.. those apps work for Iphones or android. no problem. Just google AIS apps.
 
Gunni

Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
jssailem said:
Interesting resource. I see where the chart costs are $14.99. It is unclear if that is a one time fee or if charged each time the chart receives an update. Any experience? The services like AIS have a term for the fee. i.e $16/ year. Have you had any issues with the iCloud storage of a service? I was not able to see if the maps are downloaded to the iPhone or not. Do you have to have iCloud access in order to view your location on the map?
Looks like an interesting resource.
Click to expand
Various charts have different costs, the updates are no cost. You need to configure all devices you want to use the app with to back up iSailor to iCloud. That way you can "restore" to any device with iSailor loaded. I run it on both my iPhone and iPad, mostly as a portable charting system when aboard someone else's boat.
 
P

pipedream

.
Jul 18, 2015
74
South P10 Pugetopolis
We also live and cruise on Puget sound, and AIS is very handy, especially late summer in the San Juans and Gulf islands.
Our home has a great view of colvos passage, Blake island and points south from our living room. While not quite ready to take the plunge and buy AIS, I decided last summer to give ship finder a try on our ipad from my living room before heading north.
Sad to say the app only updates every 5-10 minutes or so, I watched freighters and tugs pass in front of our home long before the position updated. I was not inclined to try running across the strait of Juan de fuca counting on the ipad app, especially when they cant see me! We stuck with Navionics for our trip up north, and we plan to upgrade to AIS before heading north this summer.
The systems are becoming more affordale each year, suggest you give it a look.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom