Using an iphone with Sea Clear II

[Tonto's Revenge]

Has anyone had any luck using a GPS app on an iphone to run the Sea Clear II program? I just got an iphone and downloaded a gps app to it and the thought occurred to me that maybe it could be used with the Sea Clear program. I just cant figure out how to connect it to the laptop. If anyone is already doing this, please let me know how.
Thanks

 

[Manny]

Not sure about interfacing with seaclear but check to see if the Navionics charts are still on sale. I got the whole east coast for $4.99. My iphone is the original model so it doesnt have true gps but it does well with the app. It's a steal at that price!

Manny

 

[chuckwayne]

Manny,
how about a link to what you bought? the only company i've seen offering marine charts for the iphone is still charging $35-too much, IMHO, for a product without good reviews you can't return

 

[Snotter]

I, too, downloaded the Navionics software. It is available through the app store under Navigation. Without a charger cable, the iPhone will be pretty useless for serious navigation because the battery will quickly go dead. Also, the iPhone screen is very difficult to read in sunlight, even under a bimini. However, the software is pretty impressive for 5$. It is a shame that the software doesn't display boat speed.

 

[BarryL]

Hey,

Instead of trying to cable your phone to the laptop, just buy a cheap 'puck' style GPS that connects to the laptop via USB (or serial). They cost about $20, and some come with software too.

Here's one I found in 5 minutes:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=LT-20&cat=GPS

Good luck,
Barry

 

[Manny]

Here's the link to the navionics website: www.navionics.com
To download the software go to the app store and search using the keyword "navionics". They have different charts for different regions. If they are still on sale its definitely worth the price.
Barry's advice about the gps receiver sounds like the best way to go.

Manny

 

[mcaswell]

Looks like the Navionics apps are still on sale. I bought it a week before they went on sale, which was a bit aggravating... however, even the $50 I paid was a good price for what you get. $4.99 is practically free.

I love having the Navionics charts on my iPhone. It's handy to use as a planning tool, measuring distances between destinations, looking for possible anchorages, etc. And while I don't plan to use it for actual navigation while underway, it's still handy to have aboard as a backup.

--Michael

 

[chuckwayne]

WOW! Thanks, everyone! I downloaded the navionics charts and they're fantastic-it's a great App with surprisingly high res, detailed charts! A giveaway at $4.99 for the whole east coast!

 

[txtowman]

i bought an xog by lowrance and I am very disappointed.

 

[Tonto's Revenge]

Got Navionics

Got the charts from itunes for $4.99. Now I just have to figure out how to use them. I'll have to buy a puck receiver too, I guess. Could have used either the laptop or the iphone charts on Saturday while trying to find a small beach along the Hudson that my brother told me about. Finally found it by calling him on the phone and he guided me in using his paper charts and channel marker numbers.

 

[txtowman]

I just pulled the trigger and got an 8 gig iPhone. And the navionics app. Thanks for the great info. Anybody want a lowrance XOG?

 

[Tonto's Revenge]

txtowman--you'll love the Iphone. Even if it didn't make phone calls, it has to be the handiest gadget I've ever owned.

 

[Snotter]

Too bad iPhones users are forced to use such a terrible network.

 

[Tonto's Revenge]

We just got cell phone service in this back-water town last month. The provider may not be top of the line elsewhere, but around here, they are definately the best.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Lousy coverage around the Chesapeake, Verizon is the only network that seems to have good coverage as far as I know. I would like to have the iPhone, but on another network. I have an iPod Touch and it's an awesome device. I wish that there was an app like Sea Clear for the ipod/iphone that was free and I could view the NOAA raster charts.