If you have an iPhone (and even if you don't)...

Adeline · Last edited by Adeline on Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:46 am; edited 2 times in total

You should check out The Navionics Viewer

20dauntless · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:43 am Post subject:

Thanks for the heads up. Does anyone know how good the GPS receiver is in the 3G iPhone? I have the original which uses cell phone triangulation for location data which isn't always accurate and would be way too expensive in Canada, but if the new one works well it might be a good reason to move to the 3G model.

For right now though I think I'll stick with the C80, Nuvi 500, and a handheld Garmin and paper charts.

Dene · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:22 am Post subject:

I'm paying $60/mo. for Sprints air card which has a GPS receiver. Works great with Nobeltec software on my laptop. However, I-phones are $30/mo. for their service.

Can they be tethered to a laptop? If so, would the upload speed be the same as Sprint or Verizon's aircards? If so, then it would behoove me to pay $30/mo. instead of $60/mo.

-Greg

drjohn71a · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:00 am Post subject:

Of interest is the note that ONLY Italy and Florida charts are now available...

John

chromer · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:04 am Post subject:

That will be a welcome addition to my iPhone. To date, I havent been too impressed with the GPS in the phone, but it just maybe the mapping.

Maybe Navionics can use the lat/lon and draw a chart faster.

drjohn71a · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:52 am Post subject:

Checkpoint,

My middle son has the old iPod and it gives you your approximate location by using triangulation from cell towers, so it is slow and cannot tell which way you are going, just where you are - approximately.

He told me that the new iPod will have a genuine gps unit in it. I do not know if that is the case, but am thinking of getting one in a year or so.

do you have the new IPod 3? or the old iPod?

John

Doryman · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:20 pm Post subject:

20dauntless · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject:

Tethering is not technically permitted on the iPhone. An app was available for a short time on the app store which allowed it, but has since been pulled. However, it still functions for those lucky enough to have purchased it. I have been told that tethering will be available soon for the iPhone from AT&T, but it will be at an additional cost, probably similar to what they charge for it on BlackBerries which is an additional $30 a month I think.

Doryman · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject:

AFAIK, throughput speeds while tethering via Blackberry (on Verizon) are about half of what they are with the dedicated Verizon aircard. So that is another factor to weigh.

Warren

ccflyer · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

This company is apparently developing a similar app for the iPhone
http://www.apptism.com/apps/marine-maps-texas-louisiana-and-mississippi

20dauntless · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:09 pm Post subject:

iNavX is another option for the iPhone. It costs $50 from the app store and uses free NOAA charts so this could be a cheap backup option if your boating is done in the US. There are some other iPhone boat related apps, search the app store or Panbo for more info.

Belltown · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject:

I have the 3G and have done a few comparison fixes against my Garmin plotter. They're never dead-on, but pretty close. Here's a picture of one comparison, on the Duwamish in Seattle.

Robbi · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

I just bought an itouch yesterday. This is first post from it. It is amazing. Still learning, and have not looked into apps yet, but have surfed, downloaded movies and music. The "gps"seems to be right on, but was informed it will not be a sat gps in the near future. If ever.
Robbi

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

So, Robbi, Is an I touch the same thing as an I phone 3G?

John

Robbi · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:29 am Post subject:

It has all of the features except the phone. You can connect to the net via Wi-Fi. May have other differences, unknown to me at this time.
Robbi Confused