What is your primary means of navigation (poll)

[Duxa]

So I downloaded iNavX, seems good (but I still prefer Vector charts due to extra detail and quilting). And I know a lot of people use Navionics maps in iNavX, but I couldnt find them in the store. Did some googling and it looks like Navionics maps were provided via Fugawi, who are now defunct (https://www.fugawi.com/)... so no more Navionics maps in iNavX? Those of you using Navionics maps in iNavX whats your plan regarding this? Are you still getting map updates? Or are you switching to something else?

Currently comparing iNavX and SeaIQ, it seems like SeaIQ is better (for me as someone that doesnt need to tie in boat's instruments with the app, although you can do some like AIS with SeaIQ). Because it uses NOAA's vector charts (which I like for reasons mentioned above).

When I compared NOAA's vector charts to Navionics for the area I am in, while Navionics does have extra data via community edits (buoys I mentioned in an earlier post) but its totally missing some shallows (these are changes in depth from 60 feet to 10 feet, so not very dangerous for most cases) which makes me question what else is incorrect. I would expect an area like this, frequented by hundreds of sailors daily to be exact.

Seems like NOAA vector charts are the way to go, but I want that extra user data

Maybe its time to write my own app lol...

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by Duxa

So
When I compared NOAA's vector charts to Navionics for the area I am in, while Navionics does have extra data via community edits (buoys I mentioned in an earlier post) but its totally missing some shallows (these are changes in depth from 60 feet to 10 feet, so not very dangerous for most cases) which makes me question what else is incorrect. I would expect an area like this, frequented by hundreds of sailors daily to be exact.

Seems like NOAA vector charts are the way to go, but I want that extra user data

Maybe its time to write my own app lol...

1. By "extra user data" I assume you mean the Active Captain info (and older/legacy Navionics user input). I look at these regularly. Sometimes useful, often out-of-date, sometimes totally wrong. So, caveat emptor.

IF you also mean "sonar" charts, realize that (i) these are often garbage (based on interpolations of widely spaced data), (ii) some are indeed based on user sonar input (it is not clear how accurate in terms of tide level, calibration, etc, and (iii) there seems no way to know if sonar chart for specific area is based on user input or garbage interpolations. (Here in British Columbia, I've only seen garbage interpolations.)

2. If you really want it, why not get both? Navionics for USA is pretty cheap.


Finally, just to be contrarian, have you considered OpenCPN on Android with NOAA charts (works with both vector and raster). Abd raster charts CAN be quilted.

[Duxa]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

1. By "extra user data" I assume you mean the Active Captain info (and older/legacy Navionics user input). I look at these regularly. Sometimes useful, often out-of-date, sometimes totally wrong. So, caveat emptor.

IF you also mean "sonar" charts, realize that (i) these are often garbage (based on interpolations of widely spaced data), (ii) some are indeed based on user sonar input (it is not clear how accurate in terms of tide level, calibration, etc, and (iii) there seems no way to know if sonar chart for specific area is based on user input or garbage interpolations. (Here in British Columbia, I've only seen garbage interpolations.)

2. If you really want it, why not get both? Navionics for USA is pretty cheap.


Finally, just to be contrarian, have you considered OpenCPN on Android with NOAA charts (works with both vector and raster). Abd raster charts CAN be quilted.

Yeah I have OpenCPN on an Android phone, and that is an option, but there seems to be no benefit over SeaIQ, which I can use on my primary phone (iPhone). Same Vector NOAA charts (pulled straight from NOAA so the yare updated).

There is no Active Captain or any kind of community edits on OpenCPN right?

[requiem]

Originally Posted by Duxa

Currently comparing iNavX and SeaIQ, it seems like SeaIQ is better (for me as someone that doesnt need to tie in boat's instruments with the app, although you can do some like AIS with SeaIQ). Because it uses NOAA's vector charts (which I like for reasons mentioned above).

When I compared NOAA's vector charts to Navionics for the area I am in, while Navionics does have extra data via community edits (buoys I mentioned in an earlier post) but its totally missing some shallows (these are changes in depth from 60 feet to 10 feet, so not very dangerous for most cases) which makes me question what else is incorrect. I would expect an area like this, frequented by hundreds of sailors daily to be exact.

Wonder if that's a feet/fathoms error. Have an example location?

For SEAiq, I haven't really tied it into boat instruments yet, but I noticed some of the functionality is hidden or less obvious. E.g. I didn't really notice it did much with depth and wind data until looking at the alarms, after which I noticed you can add wind/VMG to the status panel. The AIS sharing is poorly named, but toggle that on to get internet AIS. Unlike MarineTraffic it doesn't seem to be delayed.

The Waterway guide can be useful, but I normally only toggle it when needed. Tides/currents is unfortunately not nearly as nice as other places, but can be useful. Pre-downloading the NOAA data can be awkward; the "offline" tides at the bottom of the list may ironically be more useful. (They use the xtide information as the pop-up will warn you.)

[Duxa]

Originally Posted by requiem

Wonder if that's a feet/fathoms error. Have an example location?

For SEAiq, I haven't really tied it into boat instruments yet, but I noticed some of the functionality is hidden or less obvious. E.g. I didn't really notice it did much with depth and wind data until looking at the alarms, after which I noticed you can add wind/VMG to the status panel. The AIS sharing is poorly named, but toggle that on to get internet AIS. Unlike MarineTraffic it doesn't seem to be delayed.

The Waterway guide can be useful, but I normally only toggle it when needed. Tides/currents is unfortunately not nearly as nice as other places, but can be useful. Pre-downloading the NOAA data can be awkward; the "offline" tides at the bottom of the list may ironically be more useful. (They use the xtide information as the pop-up will warn you.)

Both of the screenshots below are in feet. Navionics maps dont even acknowledge the presence of these. I pointed with arrows to 2 of them, but up top there are some rocks that are sourced by Active Captain and arent on Navionics charts either otherwise.

The area is definitely somewhat updated, that big rectangle of dotted lines on the right is a man made feature added within last 2 years. Something like CM93v2 dont reflect it. But Navionics does, so they updated the area somewhat recently.

[ibsurfun]

Open con

[Yazz]

After using iNavX and iSailor I've been navigating with TimeZero's iBoat app on an iPad.
It is the best navigation app I've ever used. Lots of features that make sense for a sailor, like current and tide info, weather info, satellite images, NMEA data and so on.

[clippercol]

Garmin Earthmate with Inreach. Physical map secondary.

[scooper321]

i use my boat's chart plotter (Raymarine Axiom 12with Navionics charts) for navigation while underway. I have my iphone on me, too, loaded with Navionics and Aqua Map apps - in case I want to look a something far ahead or get a second chart's view before arriving to an area.

I also have an iPad w/ Navionics and Aqua Map that I use when not underway, for route planning. Before I added the Axoim I had the ipad mounted on the helm as a backup to my old Raymarine RL80C (which I still have installed, but only use for radar and sonar displays now). I do not believe in using a commercial tablet or phone as a primary navigational tool. I've had waves over the bow and into the helm. I've also had them go into thermal shutdown on nice, sunny, summer days ... as I was heading into a challenging channel.

[MicHughV]

I'm a paper chart junky......I don't know how many I've amassed over the years, but likely several hundred. Back in the day, before the advent of GPS, chartplotters, etc, paper charts were it.

Every port would see dozens of sailors swapping charts, making photo-copies, etc....
There's nothing quite like laying a paper chart on the nav table and being able to see the " big" picture....

I've hand traced charts, when no other option existed for me.....yep, charts on tracing paper...have 'em to this day. Would not part with them for the world.

Electronics are all good and well, but offer only a limited view...

[Barkingmad]

1) main plotter with radar + AIS

2) plotter below at nav station AIS no Radar

3) laptop + Opencpn not networked to boat

4) paper charts
5) Placemat from truckstop + hand compass

6) Tablet or phone with navionics