Android vs Apple for Navigation use

[ssobol]

I don't think it the OpenCpn development team. I think this is someone that ported over a version to Android, so the OpenCPN team doesn't really control it. Don't know all the relationships there.

The Android version is buggy as hell. Got rid of it.

 

[gstraub]

Hmmm, I had a few issues, but thought they were due to my very old Android device, but maybe it wasn't all my device.

 

[colbysmith]

Garmin bought Navionics

Oh great. They bought Active Captain too, and we all know how well that worked out...

 

[journey on]

Here's a link that mentions it: Navioncs App.

And one which discusses it in more detail: Apps being discontinued.

It looks like they have an Andriod version.

One more question: can the Andriod version use the regular SD cards one puts in the MFD display? I'd hate to buy new charts.

Boris

 

[localboy]

iPad with external GPS Unit; Bad Elf. The iPad has no internal GPS. Works perfectly. Aqua Map app for charts. We use it exactly as you noted: a backup and for trip planning.

Here is an older article re apps. The spreadsheet is very useful.

https://www.waterwayguide.com/lates...utm_campaign=News&utm_content=News+03-14-2018

 

[ssobol]

iPad with external GPS Unit; Bad Elf. The iPad has no internal GPS. ...

Get an iPad with a cellular receiver. It also has a GPS chip. You don't have to use/enable the cellular part for the GPS to work.

The cellular iPad is more expensive than the non cellular one. But the Bad Elf receiver cost probably negates the difference and you don't have to deal with an external device.

 

[localboy]

I already had the iPad. I didn’t want to buy another one. Bad Elf was less than $100.

 

[beermanPDX]

Colby, let me shortcut your research on navigation apps. The winner, hands down, is Aqua Map. Forget Navionics...

I welcome corrections, but in five minutes of research I see numerous functions/features missing in Aqua Map that are present in Navionics:

- No autorouting

- No MFD integration (waypoint/route sync w/Simrad and perhaps others)

- No AIS on Android (iOS only, and only w/Master add-on)

- No wifi connectivity on Android (iOS only, and only w/Master add-on)

- No vessel configuration for routing calculations (draft, speed, fuel burn)

There may be valid reasons for Aqua Map to be chosen depending on one's needs, but the above shortcomings ensure I'll not be giving up Navionics for it any time soon.

Another feature that keeps me using Navionics is the Sonar Charts Live feature. It's crowd sourced bathymetry that in my area is much more up to date than NOAA or USACE charts. Anyone that has Navionics tied in to their sonar (I do via Wifi) is contributing to the accuracy of the charts.

 

[hardee]

Is anyone using an app called iNavX ? Especially wondering if anyone is using it on an Android device?

https://inavx.com/#about

Curious how it compares (in android) to navionics or AquaMap. There is a discount for Boat US members available for it currently.

"Members Save 10% On Charts In iNavX
iNavX is a complete handheld chartplotter that works on your cell phone or tablet. BoatUS Members receive 10% off all charts and data services in the app. iNavX is the most versatile, accurate, and convenient navigation suite available, offering multiple chart formats, as well as advanced features like weather and AIS overlays."


Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[Micahbigsur@msn.com]

I believe inavX is an original charting program that was set up for Apple and I haven't heard much about it for the last few years. People really liked it when it first came out.

You guys are all so good at this stuff, amazing, guess I am still stuck in the paper chart dark ages (which I love so much better than electronic!)

 

[thataway]

I had used INavX. I found others more useful and deleted it.

 

[BrentB]

Aqua Map Master (iOS only at the moment except for USACE Surveys service) is the container for all the new and future advanced navigation features that will be implemented for the Aqua Map product.

External devices integration through the NMEA and Signal-K, AIS, Route Explorer and the USACE Surveys service are the first group of Aqua Map Master features for the 2019 season.


full details at
http://www.globalaquamaps.com/Aqua_Map_ ... tions.html

 

[ssobol]

I had used INavX. I found others more useful and deleted it.

I didn't care for the chart rendering in iNavX.

 

[Pat Anderson]

I was going to mention Aqua Map Master to DaNag when he was touting Navionics. Everyone can like what they like, but Aqua Map Master is technologically way ahead of the pack. I can't use everything it offers, so good old regular Aqua Map is my choice.

Aqua Map Master (iOS only at the moment except for USACE Surveys service) is the container for all the new and future advanced navigation features that will be implemented for the Aqua Map product.

External devices integration through the NMEA and Signal-K, AIS, Route Explorer and the USACE Surveys service are the first group of Aqua Map Master features for the 2019 season.


full details at
http://www.globalaquamaps.com/Aqua_Map_ ... tions.html

 

[hardee]

I know iNavX was originally set up for Apple/I-pad but from what I was reading on the Boat US blurb it sounded like the Android version was updated and equal to the "i" version.

I am looking for something that has good charting for Lake Chelan, (and maybe other "interior" waterways. I have Navionics up the Columbia, have not checked the Snake -- yet.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[Da Nag]

...but Aqua Map Master is technologically way ahead of the pack.

But...it's not.

If one uses iOS/Android devices standalone, perhaps that laundry list of deficiencies I listed aren't important. For those of us that prefer and/or need the integration Navionics provides - claims of superior Aqua Map tech rings hollow.

Further, while Garmin has a mixed history when it comes to acquisitions - Active Captain bad, Inreach good, for example - they have WAY deeper pockets than Aqua Map. If they choose to be a leader in the iOS/Android market, they have the resources to do so.

For me though, "which app is better" isn't really a critical decision. Aside from differing needs and opinions, one can change apps in minutes, or run multiple apps at the same time. Unlike the Garmin/Raymarine/Furuno/Simrad/whatever system you install in your vessel, choosing the wrong app - or switching to something different as the products change and mature - is trivial and cheap.

 

[thataway]

Not a lot to add, except I don't see any reason I would use Aqua Maps master over plain Aquamaps, which we used on the current trip for Active Captain. Since Active Captain is owned by Garmin, they could yank it at any point and make it only available on Garmin or Navinics charts. We used Navionics charts on our chart plotter and they were very accurate for the river.

 

[captainRCC]

Not a lot to add, except I don't see any reason I would use Aqua Maps master over plain Aquamaps, which we used on the current trip for Active Captain. Since Active Captain is owned by Garmin, they could yank it at any point and make it only available on Garmin or Navinics charts. We used Navionics charts on our chart plotter and they were very accurate for the river.

In my opinion the strength of a community are the users who use it and participate in its improvement. ActiveCaptain is also available for the Furuno app. I think removing AC data from third-party developers would further upset the community and deprive it of a portion of contributors.

 

[hardee]

Not a lot to add, except I don't see any reason I would use Aqua Maps master over plain Aquamaps, which we used on the current trip for Active Captain. Since Active Captain is owned by Garmin, they could yank it at any point and make it only available on Garmin or Navinics charts. We used Navionics charts on our chart plotter and they were very accurate for the river.

Bob, What Navionics chart version are you using for the river charts? And which plotter? Please.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[thataway]

Hi Harvey,
I two Ray Marine chart plotters; ES 9 and ES 7, running Lighthouse 2. The Navionics + chip was last updated about 6 months ago--but I don't have the version number where I can easily access it. Next time I hobble down to the boat, I can bring up the actual number if necessary, They both have the RayMarine "lighthouse" charts--which are not as good as Navionics.. They both have the 1' depth contours--which are way too busy for me. From what I see, all of the major lakes (hundreds, if not thousands, are included.).