Garmin Bluechart Mobile (iPad)

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 2:38 pm Post subject: Garmin Bluechart Mobile (iPad)

Hi Folks,

Figured I'd start a thread on this topic (something tells me other questions will pop up). My current question is regarding Lake Powell.

Now that Apple has fixed things so that I can make "in app" purchases, I'm happily downloading chart blocks on the shiny, new Garmin Bluechart Mobile program on the iPad. Once I download each block, then I can see the detailed charts for that area.

One of the blocks I downloaded was the one that includes Lake Powell. The block shows up on the big grid as "bright" (meaning I have downloaded it). When I go back to my main North America view (on the app, not the downloading blocks), I can see Lake Powell within a "bright" (downloaded" block. It's still there when the whole lake takes up about a 3" swath of screen, but when I zoom in further, it completely disappears and the screen just shows the base "yellow/land" color. No sigh of a lake or any feature at all. I went and "un-downloaded" and then re-downloaded it (successfully) and ... same thing.

Does this app just not include Lake Powell? I thought I had read that it does, but not sure. Figured I'd see what anyone else here had found.

Thanks,
Sunbeam

PS: I know it's on Navionics, but I have not purchased that yet.

thataway · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 5:37 pm Post subject:

Simple answer No.

Although Garmin has the Lake and River Charts, the down load for Garmin states coastlines and major rivers (Great Loop). The Great Lakes are covered as is the St. John's River. But not the inland Lakes, such as Tahoe, Flaming George, Tahoe etc.

I'll ask Jeff about that this next week.

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 5:55 pm Post subject:

Aha, so it sounds like (for now) what I'm seeing for Lake Powell (nothing) is just what everyone else is seeing.

(BTW, just for the record, I did download the more comprehensive North America one, ~$45 as of this writing).

I guess at this point one has to get Navionics (or another one) to have the Powell charts.

Sunbeam

thataway · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 6:39 pm Post subject:

Navionics has fairly good Lake Powell charts. I did find several errors. But that may be true of many inland charts. Garmin chart chip on the chart plotter seems accurate. However, I can see why Garmin is not selling the Entire US, Caribbean, Canada, North S. America, plus the lakes for $44 if people are gong to use this rather than buy the chart chips. (and the chart plotter). I was surprised that I still had Navionics after upgrade to I OS 7. When I went to I O S 5 I lost the Navionics--and had to pay some more $$.

This goes to the question--is the i pad a substitute for a good chart plotter, or a supplement. I consider it a supplement and planning tool. I understand that some will use it as their only navigation instrument.

hambone · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:10 pm Post subject:

This goes to the question--is the i pad a substitute for a good chart plotter, or a supplement. I consider it a supplement and planning tool. I understand that some will use it as their only navigation instrument.[/quote]

Agree totally Bob. I have found a few errors over the last year using my Ipad. For me its a supplement to get me home in the event my on board Garmin goes down. It just feels good having it next to my Garmin ready to go if needed. Kind of like having that second motor. Laughing

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:52 pm Post subject:

I'm thinking I'll use it for planning, so I can do it anywhere, not just on the boat and hunched in front of the chartplotter. Also I may plan trips or view areas for which I do not (yet) have paper charts.

Onboard I'll consider it a supplement/backup to the existing chartplotter. Thinking sometimes I may run the iPad small scale and the chartplotter large scale for the same area.

BrentB · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:10 pm Post subject:

thanks for the updates

JamesTXSD · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 9:06 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 9:07 pm Post subject: Reply from Jeff Siegel

As I might expect, Jeff Siegel (Active Captain developer and owner) got right back to me about the questions. I did not produce some of the graphics he sent, but may add them later.

jkidd · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:47 am Post subject:

You could also try
Topo Maps version 1.12.1

© 2009-2013 Philip Endecott

It. Will let you download all the USGS topos for free. I think the app was 9 or 10 bucks.

I use Navionics US and Canada HD and there ok with a few mistakes. I have been trying to get Garmin to correct some of theirs with no luck. There on there because that's the way they are on the usgs topos. That's why Oak Canyon and Secret are swapped. You just have to look at the two and think about the names.

cbgale · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:45 am Post subject:

I too have found some Navionics chart errors on my Ipad application. One bay at Isle Royale in Lake Superior is drawn completely incorrectly. But generally quite good. I use in conjunction with my chartplotter. It seems to update much faster and the course line for steering across long reaches of open waters with no visible horizon is helpful.