I phone or similar for navigation

[RFNK]

I saw a thread recently where someone was talking about downloading charts and so on to their i-phone and how this was a great thing to have. I'd like to find out more about that - what model of i-phone is recommended, how do you get the charts etc. If anyone could advise, I'd be most grateful! Oh, I know almost nothing (i.e., nothing) about i-phones! Rick

[Dale Genther]

I have an iPhone 3G with 8G of memory. I downloaded the "Navionics" app for the eastern US into it from the Apple "App Store". Cost was $9.99. This includes nthe charts and the software to run them. The charts seem to be pretty much the same as Navionics sells for marine chartplotters at 10 - 20 times the cost. The software that runs them in the iPhone is not nearly as sophisticated as my Raymarine chartplotter (which uses the same Navionics charts) , but it is good enough to use. My intention is to use it as a backup. I'm very happy with it especially considering the very low cost.

[BrianW]

I've got the latest iPhone (16gigs) and downloaded the same application as Dale. Mine was labeled as being for western Canada, but also included SE Alaska.

It works, just not quite as much detail as a real chartplotter.

[Thorne]

I also have the Navionics for my 8gig 3G, biggest problem is the size of the stored apps and the time it takes to update the display when you scroll or zoom. The new 3GS is a much better choice as it can be twice as fast in some applications.

Big problem is that the phone is not waterproof, so in poor conditions must be used in a bag or pouch. For long trips in larger boats a standard GPS might be a better option if mapping is critical.
http://www.razorreef.com/wcsstore/RazorReef/images/catalog/aquapac/full/104_expanded.gif

The other issue is the drain on the battery when using the 3G functions and/or being in minimal phone coverage zones where the phone is constantly searching for signal.

I use this 4400 mAh one but would consider an even larger battery -- for any extended camping/boating you'll need a lot of juice for GPS functions on any iPhone.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31INTvYrnOL._SS500_.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/4400mAh-External-Battery-Portable-Devices/dp/B001BWQTOC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1255015054&sr=8-1

[RFNK]

Thanks everyone - that's really helpful! Rick

[redbopeep]

We have a Nokia N810 (the new version is the N900 (http://maemo.nokia.com/n900/) btw and it IS a cel phone plus internet tablet w 32GB internal memory plus expansion). The N810 is not a cel phone but rather an internet tablet--it looks for wireless hotspots, etc and uses them. We have it because it has a Linux OS and hubby can write code for it and make it do fun stuff.

It doesn't need internet access to run the GPS and chart plotter.

It does a great job with the USGS and NOAA charts (there's a company who converts them to be used with the Nokia devices GPS mapping program (MAEMO mapper). You just have have to manually add the charts from this site (www.harborfinder.net (http://www.harborfinder.net) ) and you're good to go. It's free to download the charts into MAEMO mapper. If you've got internet access on the Nokia, it will download the files you need as you go along, but mostly we download the charts/maps ahead of time.

:)

http://maemo.nokia.com/images/uploads/entry-media/device-processing-power.jpg

[Lew Barrett]

Excuse my ignorance: Don't the iPhone apps triangulate off the cell location(s) rather than use GPS? If so, this would be a huge disadvantage in most of the places you'd really need it. I honestly don't know, so I'm asking....

[Tom Galyen]

Lew,

I have the 32 gig 3GS iPhone. It does have true GPS functions and adds to it the triangulation from cell phone towers. This allows it to give positions faster when first booting up in the app as it will first use the triangulation to give a rough position and then refine the position as the GPS finds the satellites. The triangulation also allows it to work inside buildings where a gps cannot function although not as accurate. It also has a magnetometer which gives it compass ability. Quite the piece of kit.

[George Ray]

I have the original iPhone 2G and it does not have GPS. My wife has a newer 3G and it has GPS. We use iNavX and are very happy with it. The newest 3Gs is by far the better bit of hardware because of new hardware features such as improved camera and video capability and the flux gate compass. Also faster processor and more memory.

First time I used her 3G we were in ICW in FL and when I fired it up I was thinking it would be a pain to know which chart to download. It popped up a msg asking "Do you want to download chart xyz123?" I said sure!!!! Less than a minute later the proper chart was on the phone and it was displaying us in true chart plotter fashion.

[RFNK]

It's sounding to me like the 3GS iPhone is the way to go for me. Good decision? Rick

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Excuse my ignorance: Don't the iPhone apps triangulate off the cell location(s) rather than use GPS? If so, this would be a huge disadvantage in most of the places you'd really need it. I honestly don't know, so I'm asking....

Some at least of the iPhones have a built in GPS chipset - it may also do the triangulation thing if Sat coverage is unavailable.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=iPhone+GPS&btnG=Search

http://hackaday.com/2009/10/09/external-gps-for-ipod-and-iphone/

[George Ray]

July 14, 2008
" Apple (AAPL) had unexpectedly snubbed Broadcom (BRCM) in favor of Infineon (IFX) for the GPS chip on the new iPhone 3G. "

http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/7/iphone-3g-chip-teardown-broadcom-not-totally-snubbed-for-gps-aapl-



October 13, 2008
Neubiberg, Germany - October 13, 2008 - Infineon Technologies AG (FSE/NYSE: IFX) today introduced the world’s smallest GPS Receive Front-End Module. The new BGM681L11 includes all key components to amplify a GPS signal and filter out interference in a module occupying just 3.75 mm³, which is more than 60 percent smaller than the closest competitor product. Key components of the GPS receive front-end module include one GPS Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) and integrated filters with high ESD ruggedness.

"GPS functionality will be a standard feature for the next generations of mobile phones. This highly integrated GPS Receive Front-End Module, the BGM681L11, Infineon helps handset manufacturers fulfil the toughest space requirements," said Michael Mauer, Senior Marketing Director Silicon Discretes at Infineon Technologies. "Infineon is committed to continue developing a strong portfolio of completely integrated GPS receive front-end modules." ....... ....... ...

http://www.infineon.com/cms/en/corporate/press/news/releases/2008/INFIMM200810-001.html

[Thorne]

I want to ressurect this thread and ask if anyone is using any of the other main iPhone nav/chart apps?

Charts & Tides by Navimatics Corp is pricey at $30, but promises to do charts, tides, currents, waypoints and breakfast...well not the last.

Marine: (location) Water Map Navigator by Flytomap is $5 for large sections of the US like "US West - CA to Bearing Sea"

The Navionics is $10 for large sections of coastline, ditto for Western/Central/Eastern/Southern Lakes. I use it and like it, but was wondering about the other apps...