Portable Chartplotter options

You can do just about everything and more with the app's as compared to a fixed MFD or portable GPS.

Like? I remember my Garmin gave me 8 or 10 data boxes and I had every questionable area (along with my ocean routes) pre-routed or tracked for the entire east coast. And again not saying anyone's way of navigating is bad. I'm not very familiar with the Computer or phone apps. So learning here.

Yes, you can save waypoints, routes and tracks on most of the APP's for an ipad/tablet.

Thanks.

Personally I don’t use routes just WP. But what I like about most apps including Aquamap is that you can save tracks. This comes very handy in the Bahamas for tricky passages especially when returning in less than perfect light conditions or at night.

By setting up routes , combined with the data fields I can constantly monitor on a glance ETA at destination, drift from course line and several other factors with it constantly directing me from waypoint to waypoint. I don't have to locate my next waypoint on the fly which can lead to errors such as finding a shallow between here and the waypoint, especially in limited visibility. Can't imagine not using routes except on one or two waypoint trips. Example: Going from the East River in NY across NY harbor to the Verrazano Bridge there's 5 or more waypoints depending on the route followed. I can't imagine locating the next waypoint as I pass the last and confirming safe water between here and there, then hitting Go To on each waypoint as I pass the last in pea soup fog with the S.I. ferry, a dozen tugs and a few dozen water taxis and tour boats and 100 other vessels buzzing around the harbor. From the East River to Atlantic City there's close to 20 waypoints. I'd rather deal with the course on a quick glance so I can concentrate my attention on the radar, gauges, etc. Also with the route pre-planned I can give the next night's marina an ETA early so I know I'll have a slip waiting. I kept Track on in case I ever hit something (thankfully never happened) I could prove that I was where I was supposed to be. I saved short tracks for things like coming in Moriches inlet to the connection to the main bay channel, but it uses a lot of data and most GPS only allow a very limited number of tracks.

I agree, I always use routes on anything that requires more than 1 waypoint. I like staying right on my line (adjusting for drift), knowing ETA and total distance to the destination, and it automatically going from waypoint to waypoint. I put all of these in my handheld and then 6 months or 6 years later can just pull up the route and run it again.

I usually mark spots I have to go thru to avoid shoals or whatever but just figure out the ETA in my head

some one should have UPS-ed one of the iPads to the Ever Given
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ever_Given

That works when in familiar waters, but most transporters are going to New places all the time.

Wrong thread. That's in another. This is a transporter looking for a portable chart plotter.

Running the rivers and ICW poses a unique challenge, which is the availability of AIS data to whatever device you choose to use.

I use an iPad with the SEAiq Pilot app installed. The vessels I have used it on have an AIS transponder, and I have an adapter that wirelessly transmits the AIS data to my iPad. @JeffG I feel your pain with the smaller vessels with outdated electronics, but there is a solution. You can bring along your own dedicated AIS receiver (sometimes called a PPU), which can receive AIS data and relay it to your device via wifi or bluetooth.

The advantages of the SEAiq app for me are several: I can download chart updates weekly directly from NOAA. And Army Corps of Engineers charts are supported as well. The SEAiq Pilot app has a great feature, in that if I have my route entered, and it detects another vessel on AIS that will meet me on that route, it indicates the name of the vessel, and calculates when and where our meeting point will be.

I imagine if you are encountering a heavy volume of commercial traffic, you would find having that AIS info represented on a graphical interface valuable. I certainly do.