iPad Air 2 Navigational Apps

chuckwayne · Jan 22, 2016

the navionics app works well on the ipad - if you have an ipad with a cellular modem it has a built in gps. if you have the wifi only version you need to add an external gps, they're about $100-150.
marinetraffic.com/ais reports ais from receivers scattered all over the world and it can be significantly delayed - i used it to track a shipping container from Japan to Boston, knew the location and arrival of the ship before the owner of the container did - but no good for navigation with nearby ships

justsomeguy · Jan 22, 2016

chuckwayne said:
ais from receivers scattered all over the world and it can be significantly delayed

That's a bit unnerving.

quadrille38 · Jan 22, 2016

The AIS is real time.

If you do a search on the site using key word of iPad you will find that your question on navigation using iPad has been discussed extensively in hundreds of posts.

Probably should have clarified that I run inavx using digital yachts AIS send receive with wireless hub that links to iPad. Use an external gps antenna for increased accuracy as that will track 12 satellites while iPad gps only tracks 3. Also have separate AIS antenna

chuckwayne · Jan 22, 2016

my class b ais transmits every several minutes - the class A units on commercial and larger ships transmits about every minute. even that's not really "real time" for a ship approaching you at 20kts.
the online sites have receivers placed in harbors that relay ais messages to a central server that manages data worldwide. that takes some time, as does answering your online query - there's definitely a latency. Sailing in Maine away from major harbors, there's no guarantee that they have a receiver where I am - the vessel right next to me may not be heard by the online receivers and won't show up assuming I even have internet access.
If you don't want to invest in a transponder, the best solution would be an inexpensive AIS receiver for your boat.
We've found AIS to be a very useful tool,especially in fog. Commercial ships that would ignore a sailboat on VHF will respond if you hail them by name, and often call us on their own to discuss intentions

Newport Bob · Jan 22, 2016

Check out iSailor app. After first inexpensive purchase of charts updates are free. I have used it from Mass to Fla. for planning and secondary to my chartplotter/radar unit.

All U Get · Jan 22, 2016

We found Skipper suggested by Active Captain which overlays on to it to be useful. It didn't have Bahamian charts so I'm looking at Garmin Blue charts for that. We got a lot of help from this forum on getting the iPad Air 2 and just added the Verizon chip. When we cross to the Bahamas we'll swap that for a Batelco chip.

All U Get

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · Jan 23, 2016

My favorite is INavX (top photo at Ky Lake). I get AIS from my Digital Yacht IAIS (wifi) for both class A and B and it is real time. You purchase charts and also get the ability to store routes and tracks on their website. That allows syncing with an IPhone and if you use MacENC on a Mac then you can also integrate all three.

I also like Navionics (bottom photo crossing Gulf), but there is no AIS on Navionics. Both use Navionics charts. INavX also has weather integration for $25 per year and you can download grib files that display in the app over several days including wave heights, wind, precip, etc. I like that feature and use it in conjunction with Sailflow to get a good comprehensive picture of weather.

Some AIS units can also be hooked into boat instruments thru wifi and can display wind, etc. on INavX. The GPS built into the IPad gives you basic speed, ETA to waypoint and route destination, etc.

northman · Jan 25, 2016

I use Spyglass. It works as a ship's compass, a bearing compass and sextant (without the math), as well as a GPS. Great app to have on a boat.

Parsons · Jan 25, 2016

I like Garmin Blue Charts for planning, and it interfaces well with Active Captain. I am still concerned having an iPad on-deck, and prefer a purpose-built (waterproof and mounted!) display unit.

One caution I have seen because there is so much free in mobile apps is people getting cheap on apps. I have seen people with a $500 pad suffering through a poorly designed free app rather than paying $14 for a paid one. Not to say that all free apps are poorly designed, just suggesting your read the reviews and not get cheap on the last $14 of your user experience.

bfriolet · Jan 25, 2016

I use iSailor, you save on $$ and memories space by having the choice of buying the charts for your regions only. For the gps antenna, I use the gps on my cellphone (Nexus 5) and do a hotspot. It work with or without a cellphone signal and I also keep a backup gps. ( just in case)

YVRguy · Feb 1, 2016

I use INavX, partly because in Canada it uses that official govt charts. Unlike NOAA charts you have to pay for them but they are a direct copy of the official paper charts. I also have a Humminbird chart plotter but it's much less user-friendly.

For AIS I started using Boat Beacon last year and it works fine, although the odd time it seems to lag. It has a feature that enables you to broadcast your own position and boat info which is great. With that being said, I bought a new VHF radio two years ago and I regret not buying one with full AIS functionality. If you're seriously relying on AIS, I think that's the only way to go.

Nodak7 · Mar 29, 2016

I use the iPad with iSailor and a Bad Elf gps. iSailor is my preferred Navigation App. It works great and has an awesome anchor alarm built in. Unlimited Tracks and Routes. I also have Navionics and BlueCharts on the iPad. I like BlueCharts because it links with Active Captain. It is good for planning but not to use as a real time navigation aid.

marke14 · Mar 29, 2016

Understanding that the title of this thread asks for recommendations on iPad nav software, I wanted to add that I recently went through this process myself. I have the "older" iPad Air, WiFi-only model (no cellular Internet).

I downloaded the Navionics app and loved it while playing around with it at home. I thought that I would be able to download charts and at least view them while I was on the water (even if my position was not displayed, as I do not have an external GPS receiver). I was disappointed to say the least.

Instead, I ended up purchasing a small handheld Garmin GPS that is waterproof and floats.

I hemmed and hawed, thinking that the small screen would be a serious detriment to using it. I am happy to report that it is not a factor. Fortunately, while sailing at 25-foot boat, I have plenty of time to look at the little screen.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-Waterproof-Marine-Chartplotter/dp/B003I86PJG/

I was positively *elated* (and relieved) to have had it aboard last weekend, while I was soloing, when I was caught out offshore outside of the entrance to the L.A. Harbor (read: huge container ships passing through) in a fast-moving fog patch. I lost sight of the breakwater while I was perhaps a mile and a half out. What a relief to be able to glance at the GPS to see where the opening in the breakwater was!

Long/short: I arrived at the conclusion that I valued the iPad enough to want to keep it dry and off the boat, and decided to use a purpose-built, waterproof/floating, dedicated handheld unit instead (we also have a Porta-Bote and a tandem kayak that we use this with).

Good luck! Happy sailing.