| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Roy |
Posted - Jun 05 2012 : 07:56:01
Many folks on this forum have said that they would not consider an iPad/Dual Electronics XGPS150 combination to replace a "real" chartplotter, be it a Garmin or Ray or whatever. Would you please tell me exactly what characteristics of this combination make it unsuitable as a primary chartplotter.
Thanks..............Roy
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| 50 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kgd |
Posted - Jul 11 2012 : 19:41:22
I have both the Navionics HD and Charts & Tides on my iPad. At least for the San Fransico Bay Area and the inland Delta the Navionics HD has a lot more detail. It has significantly more detail than my on board chart plotter. The Navionics seems to have a lot more features than the Charts and Tides. I really like being able to record save and name tracks which I couldn't figure out how to do in Charts and Tides. I also added a Bluetooth audio receiver that is plugged into my stereo system so I can also make all my music selections from the iPad. My course computer has been in for repair and I have been using the iPad as my sole source of navigation the last month, really nice to have. |
| Ted Williams |
Posted - Jul 04 2012 : 11:07:34
I just received an email from Jeppesen announcing their release of an ipad / iphone app: "Plan2Nav" that looks interesting. The app is free and only available through the App Store. The C-Map Charts for the East coast and Bahamas are $29.95 and may be downloaded only through the app. I've downloaded the manual but it says nothing about chart updates. What I like are the seamless chart integration and the course-up navigation option. It does not appear to integrate with Active Captain. I do plan to download it and can provide a more thorough review after some use.
Here's their website:
http://ww1.jeppesen.com/marine/lightmarine/mobile-devices-charts.jsp |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jul 02 2012 : 16:24:11
So here is my review using inavx for 3 cruises.
I love it!
I bought a $8 suction mount on eBay.
The accuracy is amazing.
Much better picture than my ray marine.
It's mounted up high so I can see it.
I do like vector charts as they seem to have better accuracy for depths and contours.
Pic of mount but hard to see chart on iPad. I see it clear as day.
 |
| Mantle107 |
Posted - Jun 11 2012 : 20:20:37
I still don't know which app is the best?!" |
| Billylll |
Posted - Jun 11 2012 : 19:35:38
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea
Will the xgps150 work with any map software for road use?
It should it's simply outputs GPS in a format the IPad can communicate receive.
Bill |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 11 2012 : 19:29:21
Will the xgps150 work with any map software for road use? |
| danielcooper9 |
Posted - Jun 11 2012 : 08:08:05
Anyone use EarthNC? It looks like it have a lot of features for $20, including a weather overlay. It has pretty good reviews on the itunes store but I am waiting for the company to respond if it will work with an Ipad and the Xgps150. |
| jmeirhofer |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 14:11:49
quote:
Originally posted by mixman
Bill, I agree that the rates will go up. They actually raised me from $25 to $35/month while we were in the Bahamas last month. I called and they dropped the rate back down for "an unknown time". If you want that SeaTel antenna back, just let me know. I am still using my "car antenna" system on my boat as I do not have room for the SeaTel antenna. It is in storage at my office an it's yours as far as I'm concerned. I'll ship it back if you want it. Otherwise, I'm saving it for our "next" boat :-)
We will be there Friday afternoon until Sunday sometime. You can check it out if you like and it will be most appreciated, but please don't feel obligated to stop by just for that. I look forward to finally meeting you in person. |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 13:46:03
Think I will get that one. Looks nicer. |
| abalmuth |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 13:24:51
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea
I think I like Andy's second pic the best. . What app is that? Navionics? Why are there little pink du ks all over the screen? See how the channel appears wide. I want the channel width to adjust. When your in fog and can't see buoys its nice to zoom in and see a prior track. On my mfd i can see every track where with inavx I can see where my tracks will quickly bury the channel.
I think it's a good idea to have raster and vector available. Charts can give a little more detail I feel as they are maintained by NOAA and the app is always getting the latest version. I wonder if the same is true for vector.
Second one is Navionics HD |
| Billylll |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 12:43:53
Kurt as much as I would love to have it back I am not an Idian Giver (no offense to Elizabeth Warren)it's yours.
Bill |
| Billylll |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 12:34:22
The problem around here is I have only heard one DSC call where the information was entered properly
and the USCG responded. It was quick they did verify coordinates with the vessel in distress. The other
99 plus calls have been someone pushed an unprogrammed DSC button and did one of 2 things properly called the CG and told them they made a mistake and other's where Pan Pan's were issued and assets were wasted.
In the real world DSC is great not just for the CG but vessels like mine that alert me to the DSC call, identify the MMSI and take me to the vessels position on the MFD in relation to mine.
So it's not just the CG that can help with DSC calls it is other well equipped pleasure & commercial vessels.
Not programming your radio and integrating it with GPS for DSC operation is well in my opinion plain old irresponsible lazy & stupid putting you and your passengers at peril. |
| PascalG |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 11:47:45
i'm all for DSC but i'd like to be sure that actual REAL WORLD USCG response will be as fast as a VHF call. somehow, i'm not so sure it's at that level yet.
a DSC will result in a Pan Pan and attempts to reach you but i doubt they will launch assets on a DSC call alone. I hope i'm wrong... |
| mixman |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 11:32:15
Bill, I agree that the rates will go up. They actually raised me from $25 to $35/month while we were in the Bahamas last month. I called and they dropped the rate back down for "an unknown time". If you want that SeaTel antenna back, just let me know. I am still using my "car antenna" system on my boat as I do not have room for the SeaTel antenna. It is in storage at my office an it's yours as far as I'm concerned. I'll ship it back if you want it. Otherwise, I'm saving it for our "next" boat :-) |
| Billylll |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 11:28:22
Rub it in Kurt! I should have held onto the SeaTel unit. However
I think once they are fully launched you will see their rates increase as well!
I hope not for your sake.
Fleet Broadband is $55 a month with real limits and $13.00 a mb. They are rumoured to raise their
rates again as much as 30%. Don't get me wrong the fb150 works flawlessly and I would stake my
life on a call to 505# the emergency center. FB is 100% reliable but it costs so much it hurts!
Bill |
| mixman |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 11:19:42
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll
Not having your DSC properly connected can be a game changer in an emergency.
Exactly. Plus, we boat off-shore at times. I do not want anything that relies on cell towers. And I really, really like having XM weather on my chartplotter via satellite.
BTW,Bill, Globalstar is 6 satellites away from 100% coverage again. I'm still paying $25/month for unlimited voice and data. |
| mixman |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 11:16:05
quote:
Originally posted by jmeirhofer
Kurt, that is a good point about the DSC. But I wonder how many have their radios connected. Honestly, I have not investigated to see if mine is although both the plotter and radio are standard horizon and of the same vintage.
I think I've read it's less than 10%, which is a real shame. When the poop hits the fan, I'd rather push one button for help and then go about my business of dealing with the poop rather than being stuck on the radio. If you're at the boat next weekend I'll be happy to take a look at your system. It's only one or two wires to connect. I have Garmin and SH and I know the systems well.
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| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 11:03:46
I think I like Andy's second pic the best. . What app is that? Navionics? Why are there little pink du ks all over the screen? See how the channel appears wide. I want the channel width to adjust. When your in fog and can't see buoys its nice to zoom in and see a prior track. On my mfd i can see every track where with inavx I can see where my tracks will quickly bury the channel.
I think it's a good idea to have raster and vector available. Charts can give a little more detail I feel as they are maintained by NOAA and the app is always getting the latest version. I wonder if the same is true for vector. |
| Billylll |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 05:00:17
Not having your DSC properly connected can be a game changer in an emergency. Most modern MFD's
are including WiFi so you can run apps on your Android or Apple devices and they charge more
for this not less. By the way guys most of these map programs are available for many of
the existing modern MFD's.
Bill |
| abalmuth |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 22:49:19
I just tried Charts and tides & Navionics - they both pitch zoom and keep scale
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| jmeirhofer |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 21:45:42
When I zoom in with the Navionics app I get even more detail. And that is using the pinch not a zoom button. The pic where my slip is in Canton can be xoomed in a little bit more. But then that is to close. It is only $4.99. I have tried a half dozen apps so far. If I break down and get the Ipad 3 I may try the eseacharts too. But right now I have to say for the boating I am doing I like the Navionics best.
Kurt, that is a good point about the DSC. But I wonder how many have their radios connected. Honestly, I have not investigated to see if mine is although both the plotter and radio are standard horizon and of the same vintage.
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| PascalG |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 21:23:24
which one do you prefer?
 |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 21:06:05
Here is the pic jmeirhofer posted of his home marina
 |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 20:58:59
Don't get me wrong it's nice to have the real paper charts and see where you are on them but for navigation it seems awkward when you zoom in and the buoy is bigger than your boat. Also you can't keep boat in channel on chart. |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 20:56:15
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG
i just checked, that's because this chart is the best chart that's available for this spot. can't get more details that are available
So would vector be the same? I am curios to compare vector and raster on a channel we all know.
So here is entrance to watch hill marina.
Anyone have a vector view of this?
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| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 20:42:32
It says best chart displayed.
I think it's how raster works.
Maybe vector is better. But do you see what I am saying?
With vector I think channel grows in scale
Am I making sense or doing something wrong?
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| PascalG |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 20:41:51
i just checked, that's because this chart is the best chart that's available for this spot. can't get more details that are available |
| jmeirhofer |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 20:23:42
Looking at the screen shot, in order to zoom like your mfd, you use the + sign in the too left corner. |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 20:12:29
Two fingers stretch it. I know about that but it doesn't spread the channel. Because its a picture it just magnifys it. Boat will cover the buoy when it goes thru the channel. Channel on my mfd gets wider to a point where it is actual distance. Unless I am doing something wrong.
Here I am in my marina:
It doesn't seem to scale right. |
| mixman |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 19:45:57
I really do love the iPad 3 we have, although we do not use it as a chartplotter. I'm curious as to what those that you that are using it as your primary chartplotter are using to feed GPS information to your VHF radios for DSC/Rescue 21?
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| Billylll |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 18:44:22
Dave try what Pascal is saying it should do what I think you are trying to do. Dave I think you will like the IPad but will soon realize it will never replace the MFD possibly smaller chartplotters on small vessels but I doubt it.
Bill |
| PascalG |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 17:52:59
When you use two fingers and stretch the chart out, things like a channel became larger... Not sure I understand what the issue is |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 16:52:07
Downloaded inavx. Not sure I like it. The zoom feature just zooms in to the chart but it really doesn't expand it. So a small channel still looks small.
On chart plotter on boat the zoom is more like actual distance. Perhaps the vector is better? |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 13:55:34
Hope this doesn't break rules but looks like Inavx is rated tops:
http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/p/best-marine-charting-apps.html
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| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 10:37:05
My XGPS150 came today.
Charging now.
Will report back on my results.
Guess I need to buy a chart app too.
Looked at them, I do say I prefer raster as well. Vector looks cartoonish.
Leaning towards inavx but eseachart is nice for money.
Would like prior tracks saved though. |
| Stratocaster |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 04:51:45
I have a center console, so it's wide open. While I have a Furuno MFC nicely installed in the helm, I use the iPad simply because the Navionics app's charts for Bermuda are 100x better than the Navionics chip for the plotter.
I keep the iPad in a DryPak DPC-1216 soft waterproof sleeve, which keeps it bone dry and still allows me to use the touchscreen. The DryPak was $16.00.
Yes, viewing in direct sunlight is poor, but it's a small price to pay for the convenience and simplicity of this app. |
| rnbenton |
Posted - Jun 07 2012 : 07:13:06
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG
Personal preference I guess but I prefer raster
+1
Bob
|
| getakey |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 21:12:28
Interesting |
| PascalG |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 21:10:14
Personal preference I guess but I prefer raster |
| getakey |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 21:05:03
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG
Raster looks exactly like paper charts... Vector do not. Look at the app screen shots, you ll see the difference
Roy, actually i think that of larger boats with upper/lower helms, using an iPad at the lower helm makes a lot of sense, and keeping conventional MFDs upstairs whereas on a smaller boat protection and limited space may favor an MFD
I was trying to figure out the frown next to vector in your post. Don't you prefer vector? |
| jmeirhofer |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 20:29:10
At any rate it will bode well for the consumer as the MFD makers will have to give price considerations if they want to stay in business.
BTW - The new motorola xoom is water resistant. |
| PascalG |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 20:09:22
Raster looks exactly like paper charts... Vector do not. Look at the app screen shots, you ll see the difference
Roy, actually i think that of larger boats with upper/lower helms, using an iPad at the lower helm makes a lot of sense, and keeping conventional MFDs upstairs whereas on a smaller boat protection and limited space may favor an MFD
|
| Roy |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 19:52:44
Ipads may not replace big MFDs for you guys with big boats and lots of electronics all net-worked together, but I think for the little guy, iPads may very well replace dedicated chartplotters.
Roy
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| JZ |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 18:47:31
My phone is a Samsung Galaxy Note. I find it easier to use then my portable Garmin. The app is pretty bad ass if you ask me.
For lake boating at Lake Mead (110 miles long) it's accurate enough w/o an external GPS.
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| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 18:42:38
Ok stupid quesiton, what is difference between raster and vector charts?
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| PascalG |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 18:21:58
I like iNavx, been using it for a couple of years. It has all the features one needs, NOAA raster charts, past tracks (breadcrums) but you have to manually change charts (no seamless stitching)
eSeaChart also uses NOAA raster charts, has seamless stitching and active captain data (offline). But it doesn't show past tracks and sometimes the automatic chart loading gets a little confused. For instance if you re scrolling a large chart the edge it may load up a detailed chart at the edge. Not a big deal if you re just navigating with your area, a little annoying when scrolling large distances
Navimatic charts n tides has tracks, reliable seamless loading, active captain data but uses vector charts :(.
Unlike eSeaChart, navimatic lets you update active captain data from the app, a big plus if you want to share data with fellow boaters
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| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 18:10:36
Like I said, I had trouble with gps last week nto getting a fix while underway.
Chased it down to a lose wire but underway it stinks if u don't have a backup.
Always need a backup.
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| Mantle107 |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 17:57:18
I too have not had any issues regarding accuracy with the non WAAS gps receiver. Just no screen shots to prove it, but it is much more accurate than I anticipated. Thought I might have to buy an external receiver, but have not even thought about it since setting it up.
Haven't used inavx, only eSeacharts. They are good, just the chart switching is a little finicky for me. Going to give navimatics a shot this weekend and will report back.
If you have a Ray system that will interace with the iOS device I think that would be the most preferred setup. However, with my iPad costing 750 pus the almost negligible cost of the apps it is a great system.
We use it all the time and just bring it with us on the boat. I bought the iPad and used boat nav as a way to justify it to myself bc the screen is so much bigger than the little Garmin. I use it literally 7 days a week, so even if you don't like it for navigation, I don't think you can go with purchasing one. The suction cup setup even works on the kitchen countertops and we got a cookbook app. It will stay to the side of the stove perfectly. If you have optimum cable you can watch tv anyplace in your house - ie: if you don't have a tv in the bathroom you now do (fwiw) |
| CurrentSea |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 17:42:52
What is the opinion on inavx app?
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| abalmuth |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 16:45:30
I stand(sit) corected |
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