ipad gps navigation

[Bill1565]

If you want to use the GPS resident in the iPad you need cellular capable ipad but you do not need a cell plan. Recognize though that the iPad cellular monitors only 3 satellites so the accuracy while good is somewhat less than than a traditional GPS that track 12 satellites. I did buy the wifi / cellular capable iPad and run Inavx with the Navionics charts. What I did to improve accuracy and increase flexibility is: - purchased an external GPS antenna from Digital Yachts - purchased an AIS antenna from Digital Yachts - purchased Digital Yachts wireless hot spot device. The AIS and GPS antenna are connected to the wifi sender so that the ipad wirelessly receives the GPS and AIS data and feeds it to the Inavx software. Very accurate and easy to use interface. - at the same time this allows me to pull NMEA data off the feed and run it to my VHF radio so that I'm able to broadcast position data when the emergency broadcast function on the radio is used. - as an added featured I use Weather Trac application that allows you to pull down GRIB files and overlay them on the inavx chart. This shows you wind and weather current and predicted conditions in 2 hour increments layered right on your navigation charts. Makes weather and trip planning a dream since you can see wind directions and speeds over time on your planned route. - very happy with INavx as they routinely and very responsively push out enhancements on their product via the App Store. And if you have any questions they are so responsive and helpful via their on line Q and A feature. I do have a cellular data plan active on my iPad because it allows me to access email (even when sailing work sometimes calls) and the features like weather Trac when I'm in locations where I don't have wifi service. - added to that I can pull NMEA data from my Raymarine Seatalk network to the Digital Yachts sender which then wirelessly broadcasts so that my speed, depth and wind data is displayed in inavx. Acts as a repeater to the main instruments. - receiving AIS A signal allows me to see traffic on my iPad right on the charts. - this year I'm planning to upgrade my Digital Yachts wifi device to one that will not only receive AIS A but also send and receive AIS B so that I can see and be seen by others. In conditions where visibility is reduced I figure being able to see others and to broadcast so others can see me is an added safety feature.

Wow!!

 

[quadrille38]

Don, did I read your post wrong or did you edit? LOL I thought I saw WiFi only. Gonna have to rethink my strategy. Don't need another cell tower dependent device. Have too many. Quad... that is a lot of work, but glad you have the accuracy you need. Jim... bluetooth... have link, will check.

Sounds a lot more involved that it really was.
Two wires from the 2 antennas (GPS and AIS) to the digital yacht box.
Power from breaker to digitally yacht box
Wire from the autopilot brain to the digital yacht box
And wire from digital yacht box to VHF.

Oh and downloading the app from the App Store.


That's all there was to it

 

[nolasafari]

.


That's all there was to it

Sounds like the way to go, what was the cost of the equipment?

 

[quadrille38]

Sounds like the way to go, what was the cost of the equipment?

For the Digital Yachts IAIS box it was $495 and the GPS antenna and AIS antenna added a couple hundred.


The upgrade I'm going to do this year to get an AIS receiver / transmitter requires an equipment change.
The first piece is the AIS transponder

Digital Yacht AIT2000 Transponder
Type: Class B Transponder
(3) Outputs: NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 and USB Connection
Perfect AIS Transponder Solution for Marine Vessels up to 300 Tons

And costs $629 from Defender. It comes with the GPS antenna so you wouldn't need that.
For the AIS if you don't already have an AIS antenna you can buy a splitter device and use your VHF antenna. I wanted it separate and it was easier for me to install separate AIS antenna than it was to mess with my VHF cable.


Then a compatible wifi sender is needed

Digital Yacht WLN10HS NMEA 0183 to Wireless WiFi Adapter Data Server
Creates a 802.11b+g Wireless Access Point and Wireless NMEA 0183 Data Server
Connect it to Any Device or System that has an NMEA 0183 Output
Automatically Reads the Data and Transmits NMEA Wirelessly to Wireless Devices

And that is $303.

 

[nolasafari]

For the Digital Yachts IAIS box it was $495 and the GPS antenna and AIS antenna added a couple hundred.

Thanks for the information it is very helpful.

 

[dandrews]

Don, did I read your post wrong or did you edit? LOL I thought I saw WiFi only. Gonna have to rethink my strategy. Don't need another cell tower dependent device. Have too many.

Quad... that is a lot of work, but glad you have the accuracy you need.

Jim... bluetooth... have link, will check.

Brian, sorry I could have expressed that more clearly. My iPad 1 is the wifi and cell model. I have never signed up for cell service so it is just a unused option. Hence it is Apples's gps version.

Don

 

[Brian D]

No problem Don, maybe I need to get my eyes checked again. LOL It is all good.