Sailing Apps for iPhone
- Thread starter JonBill
- Start date
- Status
Navionics
I used Navionics on my early iPhone for our 6 week trip to the North Channel and back as a planning tool, and to back up our Garmin color plotting GPS and its computer software package. It's a great, full featured package, but the GPS is built for the sun in the cockpit, and the mouse makes the routing SW on the PC faster/easier than working on the iPhone.
Weather sites/apps were:
- NOAA and Environment Canada for forecasts.
- Weather Bug for local forecasts, supplemented by the native weather app.
- AccuWeather for local and national weather radar picture. We tracked thunderstorms as they passed by us along the Bruce Peninsula. The time series were really helpful in understanding the direction storms were taking.
Having the iPhone Navionics means I always have charts with me. So we could see charts to discuss alternative routes while we were having lunch with the Nilssons in the Anchor Hotel in Little Current. I used it Saturday to show my daughter where Pelee Island lies in relationship to Kellys and Put-in-Bay.
I used Navionics on my early iPhone for our 6 week trip to the North Channel and back as a planning tool, and to back up our Garmin color plotting GPS and its computer software package. It's a great, full featured package, but the GPS is built for the sun in the cockpit, and the mouse makes the routing SW on the PC faster/easier than working on the iPhone.
Weather sites/apps were:
- NOAA and Environment Canada for forecasts.
- Weather Bug for local forecasts, supplemented by the native weather app.
- AccuWeather for local and national weather radar picture. We tracked thunderstorms as they passed by us along the Bruce Peninsula. The time series were really helpful in understanding the direction storms were taking.
Having the iPhone Navionics means I always have charts with me. So we could see charts to discuss alternative routes while we were having lunch with the Nilssons in the Anchor Hotel in Little Current. I used it Saturday to show my daughter where Pelee Island lies in relationship to Kellys and Put-in-Bay.
Navionics has been amazing on the Great Lakes.
I also use the $1 version of weatherbug to see up to the minute weather data. It has a really neat map feature that shows instant radar info, different views of cloud cover, windspeed, temperature, and so much more.
I also use the $1 version of weatherbug to see up to the minute weather data. It has a really neat map feature that shows instant radar info, different views of cloud cover, windspeed, temperature, and so much more.
Another handy little app is 'Naviimatics Charts & Tides' version 3.7.0, this app incorporates the integration of Active Captain data and provides much greater knowlege compiled by other sailors. Worth checking out if you are a member of Active Captain.
iPhone (& iPad) vs iPod Touch
The iPhone is always 'on-line' as long as the phone is turned on and it is in range of a cell tower. The Touch is sometimes 'on-line' if your are near and can connect to a wireless access point (eg. a WiFi hot spot like you find in Starbucks). I don't know if the iPhone/iPad really has a GPS receiver like some Windows Mobile phones do or if they just triangulate between the cell towers in the vicinity to deliver what Apple terms "assisted GPS".
There are a lot of apps that work on both devices but if that app requires a live feed to the internet and you don't have WiFi access for your touch from where you are, then you will not get the data you need to allow that app to be functional.
iPhone/iPad owners can check out my premise by trying to get a location fix on your phone when you are out of range of any of your Telco's cell towers. If you can't make a call or connect to the internet, then you also shouldn't be able to get a GPS fix.
iPads, for those versions with 3G + WiFi , should behave like an iPhone. The WiFi only models of the iPad should work like the Touch in these instances.
The iPhone is always 'on-line' as long as the phone is turned on and it is in range of a cell tower. The Touch is sometimes 'on-line' if your are near and can connect to a wireless access point (eg. a WiFi hot spot like you find in Starbucks). I don't know if the iPhone/iPad really has a GPS receiver like some Windows Mobile phones do or if they just triangulate between the cell towers in the vicinity to deliver what Apple terms "assisted GPS".
There are a lot of apps that work on both devices but if that app requires a live feed to the internet and you don't have WiFi access for your touch from where you are, then you will not get the data you need to allow that app to be functional.
iPhone/iPad owners can check out my premise by trying to get a location fix on your phone when you are out of range of any of your Telco's cell towers. If you can't make a call or connect to the internet, then you also shouldn't be able to get a GPS fix.
iPads, for those versions with 3G + WiFi , should behave like an iPhone. The WiFi only models of the iPad should work like the Touch in these instances.
Last edited:
The iPhone 3Gs has a GPS chip, so it is a true GPS reciever. The iTouch does not have a GPS chip (not sure about the new version though). Either an older iPhone 3G, or iTouch can be hacked and a thrid party GPS accessory can be used. I havent done this, but my friend in Texas did, only cause he already had the older iPhone.
I have a iPhone 3Gs and use the Navionics app.
As a side note the iPad 3G model also has a GPS chip, and a Navionics app specifically for it. Using the iPad gives you a 9 inch screen.
I wouldnt want to rely on an iPhone app to be my primary GPS if going out more than 7 miles, or that I rely on a Garmin. Near shore, on the Hobie, and smaller boats it works fine.
I have a iPhone 3Gs and use the Navionics app.
As a side note the iPad 3G model also has a GPS chip, and a Navionics app specifically for it. Using the iPad gives you a 9 inch screen.
I wouldnt want to rely on an iPhone app to be my primary GPS if going out more than 7 miles, or that I rely on a Garmin. Near shore, on the Hobie, and smaller boats it works fine.
The Navionics app hosted on an iPhone doesn't require a cell connection. I have an old iPhone that I use without a cell connection to run Navionics at the helm. The Navionics app is rock solid and can be depended on (except the speed reading is often unavailable). I have a Ray C80 but I keep an iPhone velcro'd to the helm to increase my situational awareness.
Snotter,
Thanks for the correction. I didn't think it worked that way but if you use a iPhone that has no service connection to a telephone company and it still works as a GPS then it must have a proper GPS satellite receiver built in. I wonder why Apple refers to it as "assisted GPS"?
So, with the proper software and maps I could use an iPhone as a GPS when I am on vacation in the USA and Europe. I think that will be my next phone.
Thanks for the correction. I didn't think it worked that way but if you use a iPhone that has no service connection to a telephone company and it still works as a GPS then it must have a proper GPS satellite receiver built in. I wonder why Apple refers to it as "assisted GPS"?
So, with the proper software and maps I could use an iPhone as a GPS when I am on vacation in the USA and Europe. I think that will be my next phone.
the AC site http://www.activecaptain.com/store/index.php states it works on palm os or widows mobile devices.
- Status