The future (Ipad w/ Navionics)

Just got back from delivering boat from NY to FL. Though the boat had older Raymarine system, owner bodged map chips.

Luckily, I had both a 3G ipad and my iphone loaded w/ the Navionics charts for the east coast ($24.99 for the ipad and $9.99 for the iphone).

I have to say they both performed amazingly well. The large size of the ipad, the ease of use, the touch interface are all superior. Pinch to zoom in/out, etc.

This is an astounding melding of multi-use device w/ software that is now always there when you need it.

Did I mention the cost? The 3G ipad is the 16 gig model and cost $599. Along with the Navionics software - less than $700 w/ tax for all the East Coast charts.

Why am I mentioning this?

I've been using a Garmin 376C for years and absolutely love it, don't go anywhere w/out it, use it every day, yada, yada.

HOWEVER: I recently called Garmin to get a new Americas Blue Chart CD so I could have the latest charts including all amendments.

No problem there. BUT!!! After having spent over $500 to unlock all the East Coast regions, Garmin informed me I'd have to BUY ALL THE REGIONS AGAIN AT ABOUT $80 PER REGION!

Another $500-$600? Are you kidding me?

Garmin offered that I could just buy a new 640 series unit that comes with all the East Coast pre-loaded...for about $900.

What? Why would I relegate my old 376C (except for screen size, a far better unit than the 640) to the bin when I've got about $1,400 sunk in it, buy a less useful 640 series (screen VERY difficult to read in direct sunlight) for $900 when I can have a 10" IPAD w/ the Navionics software for $675 that: gets on the internet, allows me to stay connected, plays music, allows me to keep/watch movies/tv/whatever (I don't), AND has a 10" screen for my nav. software?

At first I was concerned the IPAD would only get GPS when in range of cell phone towers.

NOPE. The cell/data service needs to be turned on, but I was getting spot on GPS location 25 miles offshore (matching exactly the boat's GPS when the charts kicked back on) when no cell signal was available.

Wake up Garmin.

Check your app...if it's for marine use, it's the "Navionics" product.

I just checked iTunes and couldn't find an "Avionics" product.

But if you mean, "Is there a difference b/t the applications on iPad vs. iPhone"...I couldn't find any except in the iPhone version you can activate the phone's camera while still in the Navionics app (why? I couldn't tell you).

I used both the iPhone version and the iPad version side by side the whole trip down and both were dead on accurate and useful.

Granted, the larger screen real estate on the iPad made it much easier to use, but now that I've got the iPhone in my pocket wherever I go, I won't panic about not having a back-up GPS if I need to jump on a boat w/out my dedicated Garmin unit...

So, no, if you've got your iPhone app working on the iPad and the resolution is good - I'd say you're good to go.

I'm just amazed that the entire East Coast is being offered by Navionics for either $10 or $25 when Garmin is wanting me re-purchase the un-lock codes I already purchased for $500 for ANOTHER $500 to use on a machine that is a single purpose machine when the iPad can be used for so many other things.

Doesn't make any sense.

This isn't the point, really. Just another tool in the kit.

More about how a $600 iPad with $25 Navionics package can replace your $900 portable Garmin chartplotter w/ $600 worth of unlocked map regions and still be useful for other things.

Like, instead of having the $49/month XM weather package on your Garmin, you might just have a $25/month data package that allows you to get on the internet and also do other things...

I don't assume all Yacht Forums threads are particular to "class approved bridges". There are lots of us little folks out there looking to get a leg up as well...

And another thing!

I recently switched over to a Mac after 20 years of Windows machines locking up, acting up, etc.

You guessed it, Garmin's MapSource software isn't Mac compatible. Your only option is running Bootcamp and buying a copy of Windows to run on your Mac. (Or using VMware or Parallels).

But that doesn't get you past needing to run a patch program so your USB capable machine can see the COM port configured 376C...

But that also doesn't get you past needing to have the Americas Bluechart CD in your CD drive to actually be able to use the charts you've already spent $600 on. (You CAN make an image of the Americas BlueChart and use a program like PowerISO to create a virtual drive and "mount" the image w/out having to use the CD. It's a pain to set up but works flawlessly and then you never need the CD.)

Or you can just get an iPad and the Navionics package and wait for Garmin to catch up.

There should be a separate thread category called "The Critics Corner".

FYI, I always carry paper charts for wherever I'm going. But, please, just back off a bit as this thread is just a nod to the usefulness of some new technology.

I thought the whole purpose of these forums was to present and share info, not to sit in wait and be all high and mighty...again and again and again.

Gets pretty wearisome. I would also guess it puts some people off for even bothering to post when someone's just waiting to pounce...again and again and again.

Seems like it's always the same people, too.

Just my $.02.

I'll have to take a closer look at that as I assumed at first you HAD to be near a cell tower. However on this last trip, we were clearly out of cell range and the GPS function of the iPad and iPhone worked the whole time.

I wasn't suggesting turning off all nav. instruments on the bridge. I was just amazed at how Apple and Navionics have clearly one-upped Garmin for near shore nav. capabilities at less than half the price.

AND you can use the iPad to do so many other things...