Smartphone for navigation?

[warren631]

Does anyone use a Smartphone (or iPad) for navigation away from cell towers? What is your setup? I'm looking for cheap GPS navigation with downloadable charts.

[Azzarac]

I have Navionics on all my Android devices and love it. You can download all the maps for your area and store them on your device so no need for cell service. They are also about the only choice out there that covers all US inland lakes.

[danc1957]

Pretty much any tablet or smartphone with a GPS chipset should do, the only thing I run into is the displays are often not bright enough for sunny days, compared to regular chart plotters.

[Tomfoolery]

. . . the displays are often not bright enough for sunny days, compared to regular chart plotters.

Any suggestions for one that is bright enough, or close at least? The admiral and I decided on an ipad or similar as a mutual shared Christmas present, and navigation is one big reason in my case, as I use a notebook computer now.

[warren631]

Thanks guys. But doesn't the Navionics mobile app require WiFi, 3G or 4G cell towers nearby and a cellphone contract? I'm looking for a pure GPS setup I can use without cell towers or WiFi in the middle of the Atlantic (just kidding) .

[grady]

Thanks guys. But doesn't the Navionics mobile app require WiFi, 3G or 4G cell towers nearby and a cellphone contract? I'm looking for a pure GPS setup I can use in the middle of the Atlantic .

If your sailing in the "Middle of the Atlantic" you should probably look into somthing better than smart phone navigation.

[danc1957]

I'm pretty sure you can download the detailed maps of the area you'll be running in Navionics.

[whgoffrn]

Just came back from the keys ....used navionics on my tablet ....worked perfectly.... dont even need wifi or cell towers if you download the map before leaving home..worked great with just gps

[whgoffrn]

And as far as thebrightness factorit wasnt an issue....it wasnt blindingly bright but it was sunny and witha tablet and a stand you could putit down where u needed if the sun hit it just the wrong way....my budget set up was a galaxy tab3 i already had navionics app downloaded the whole region at home before leaving ziplock bag and i/o magic battery backup since gps eats up battery life and a cheap 10" tablet holder/stand ..sailed all day long no issues and still had plenty of power left to watch movies off showbox that night.....i contemplated shelling out some serious money on a chartplotter but glad i didnt

[FlyboyTR]

I have used EarthNC for 5 years. While connected to cell/internet service, you can download the NOAA charts for the area you plan to operate in. Once that is done, you don't need a cellular signal...the phones internal GPS takes care of everything. EarthNC is also downloadable for your PC and allows plotting functions, etc. I have found it to be a great backup system.

[ris]

SEAiq uses noaa charts that are downloaded free and updated free. I use this on my ipad. If you get the ipad which is NOT the wifi version it has a independent gps chip. My ipad air 2 works everywhere, as long as you download the charts before leaving cell reception.I have the charts for the whole American great loop which is about 6000 miles of charts already on the ipad. Even the folks in the local ATT store thought you would have to be within range of cell towers to locate your position on the charts but this is NOT true. There is an independent gps chip on the ipad as long as it is not the wifi version. You can also overlay SEAiq, which is an app, with Active Captain for finding anchorages, fuel, ect. I think SEAiq costs about $6 or $9. Its a great app, and I have it on my iphone also as a backup.

[Sumner]

SEAiq uses noaa charts that are downloaded free and updated free. I use this on my ipad. If you get the ipad which is NOT the wifi version it has a independent gps chip. My ipad air 2 works everywhere, as long as you download the charts before leaving cell reception.I have the charts for the whole American great loop which is about 6000 miles of charts already on the ipad. Even the folks in the local ATT store thought you would have to be within range of cell towers to locate your position on the charts but this is NOT true. There is an independent gps chip on the ipad as long as it is not the wifi version. You can also overlay SEAiq, which is an app, with Active Captain for finding anchorages, fuel, ect. I think SEAiq costs about $6 or $9. Its a great app, and I have it on my iphone also as a backup.

I have all the NOAA charts that are applicable to the great loop, including the Erie but they don't have the Illinois, Mississippi and the rest of the river/canal sections. I've found some charts I could print out. Did you find digital charts for those sections? If so do you have a link to them.

Thanks,

Sumner

============================

1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Herschel]

I have Navionics on all my Android devices and love it. You can download all the maps for your area and store them on your device so no need for cell service. They are also about the only choice out there that covers all US inland lakes.

I bought the app and am VERY impressed with its coverage, especially of inland lakes that are not considered part of the navigable system of charts. But, I noticed that if you don't save a route you can inadvertently leave the app with the GPS function still "running" and apparently, from previous comments, that eats up battery life. How do you make sure you don't do that? I am still navigating around the app and haven't found a clear way to avoid leaving the GPS functioning. I am assuming that within the app the GPS function is different from the regular GPS that is part of my Android Galaxy 4 that doesn't seem to be a battery problem. "Confused in Orlando".

[innervations]

I use Navionics on an iPad and it is brilliant.

[ULLR]

I use Navionics as well...you can share your subscription on all "I" devices or between android devices just cannot share between "I" & android. I am using mainly on inland lake in BC with no cel reception and as long as you pre download your maps your good to go. Little tricky to share subscription between I phone and IPad as App Store try's to get you to buy HD version for triple the price. I bought 19.99 IPhone version and then shared with IPad....took an email to Navionics to figure out how to share it but happy with it now.