Navionics & Apps versus Electronics


Brady's Bunch

Brady's Bunch

New member
Hi All,
Just wanted to get some opinions on using a few Apps versus going full blown electronics (Radar, MFD, Transducer). Let me start off by saying I boat on in inland lake in AZ which is approximately 15 square miles in size and keep my boat in a covered slip at the marina. Right now I'm using the Navionics App along with three separate apps: Wind Alert, Anchor Alarm, and NOAA Weather. I'm quite happy with them to date versus installing an Axiom or Simrad system. I'm just wondering if I'm missing something other than the "cool" factor in my current set up. Lake Pleasant is a reservoir and water levels will drop 60-70' from June through September but the Navionics and my depth finder always allow me to see the depth of where I'm at and more importantly the depth of what's ahead when I'm pulling in close to shore to let the Admiral take the dog to shore on the SUP. We do get some mighty monsoons in the summer but common sense dictates that when you see lightning and thunderheads to the North, it's time to pull anchor and head to the marina.
Just asking for opinions or suggestions if there is something else I'm missing or you find helpful,

The below video is from monsoon damage last summer at Pleasant Harbor Marina, fortunately my slip is at Scorpion Bay Marina but on the same lake.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...C6D507277AC6EF28CA5AC6D507277AC6&&FORM=VRDGAR
 
If you don't navigate at night you can do fine without the radar or sonar, the Navionics app with the paid subscription maps works just as well as the dedicated MFD for general navigation, The transducer however for depth measures is vital IMHO. I am not familiar with your area tho.
 
Yeah I agree with JaRod, also as in a lake you don't have to worry about coastal issues. I love the Navionics app AND have a Axiom Pro 16 on board with the Navionics overlay.
 
I used my Samsung pad and Navionics app for 3 Seasons on my 2002 37 PC. none of the factory Electronics were in good enough shape to use. And I did not have the money for upgrades. We navigated all over the Chesapeake Bay and intersecting Rivers. In my 2019 240 bowrider, we chose to upgrade to the built-in GPS. Navionics is an outstanding program if you're looking to keep things expense free.
 
Yeah I'm doing all my routing on the iPad at the warmth of the house over the winter, then when I get to the boat I can wirelessly send it to the Raymarine Axiom Pro16.
 
I run Navionics on an iphone I have mounted to the dash of mine, with a USB plug on the dash to keep it on.

I can't ask for a better solution really. works very well for me.

Only issues I have are app related, of which some have been fixed after I notified them of the issues.

For example; when I'm doing 45 mph and relying on the app. I DO NOT want to be notified it has an update!

If speed > 0 don't freaking asking me while I'm trying not to crash!

There were a few other things I didn't like as well, but for the $10 or so a year, it's worth every penny... I may just buy a used iphone 7 w/the bigger screen on ebay and mount that to my dash permanently... still cheaper than most actual nav systems!
 
Sqrl - Go with a mini iPad I use that and a iPhone 8 Plus also.


SabrToothSqrl said:
I run Navionics on an iphone I have mounted to the dash of mine, with a USB plug on the dash to keep it on.

I can't ask for a better solution really. works very well for me.

Only issues I have are app related, of which some have been fixed after I notified them of the issues.

For example; when I'm doing 45 mph and relying on the app. I DO NOT want to be notified it has an update!

If speed > 0 don't freaking asking me while I'm trying not to crash!

There were a few other things I didn't like as well, but for the $10 or so a year, it's worth every penny... I may just buy a used iphone 7 w/the bigger screen on ebay and mount that to my dash permanently... still cheaper than most actual nav systems!
Click to expand...
 
You young guys with good eyes might be able to get away with an iPhone or iPad mini. This old guy needs more screen real estate :rolleyes:
 
Preachin to the choir brother! I just bumped the chartplotter to a new 16" model. I'm at the point where I don't need anything for glasses except to read fine print and its driving me nuts going back and forth to reading glasses. I finally went to a dollar store and bought 12 pairs and leave them EVERYWHERE lol! Hell I have two pair set up for the boat.

afratki said:
You young guys with good eyes might be able to get away with an iPhone or iPad mini. This old guy needs more screen real estate :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
 
Ct_Formula said:
Preachin to the choir brother! I just bumped the chartplotter to a new 16" model. I'm at the point where I don't need anything for glasses except to read fine print and its driving me nuts going back and forth to reading glasses. I finally went to a dollar store and bought 12 pairs and leave them EVERYWHERE lol! Hell I have two pair set up for the boat.
Click to expand...

I bought sunglass readers for the boat last year. It was getting to the point I couldn't read the depths on my 12" Simrad!
 
I have been wearing Maui Jim readers for many years. They are the best. I don’t think that they make progressive unless that is something new for them.
 
I have been using Navionics and Garmin on My I-Pad for the past 5+ years and have converted many members in my Club to do the same. Had trouble in the beginning when my i-pad did not have cell service (therefore no GPS) and I had to use an external antennae but have upgraded to i-pad with cell service and problems solved. My Northstar crapped out and still like the dedicated marine electronics, but I am having a hard time plunking down the money for all new Electronics. Only problem I have is, even though I keep it plugged in all the time, the battery dies. I may have the solution to the problem - if I use an inverter and plug the actual charger in and use that , the problem may be solved, will let you guys all know in a few weeks.
 
I have use Navionics on my tablet for years. I use a Bluetooth GPS receiver, Garmin GLO 2 which has a 6 hour battery and helps with the battery life on the tablet. It is nice to have the mobility with the charts as I can plan out a trip at home or anywhere I have the tablet and cost is a lot less, and always updated.
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You don't need cell service to use the Navionics app, at least the paid subscription on Android, I have to assume Apple is the same, I download all the maps I need from south Florida to the coast of Cuba and all of the Bahamas when connected to a wifi network, and use them offline everywhere with no issues whatsoever.
Using the maps offline also allows you to turn off the connections in your iPad like wifi, cell, bluetooth etc. By doing so your device battery will last much longer.
 
Cebulap said:
I have use Navionics on my tablet for years. I use a Bluetooth GPS receiver, Garmin GLO 2 which has a 6 hour battery and helps with the battery life on the tablet. It is nice to have the mobility with the charts as I can plan out a trip at home or anywhere I have the tablet and cost is a lot less, and always updated.
Click to expand...


I like this setup and thinking of doing the exact same. Do you have the Garmin Glo right on the dash near the iPad?
 
No, it dose not need to be right next to it, I will have it in the helm glove box usually. Just close enough to have a good Blue Tooth signal
 
I was thinking about using an iPad also. For anyone using that solution, what do you do about real time depth finding?
 
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