Best GPS Apps

CompassMac · 10-29-2022, 08:56 PM

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good GPS - either phone app or boat mounted system? I dont need fish finding or other features. Just current location, depth if possible, and leaving "cookie crumbs" to retrace my course would be great. Winnipesaukee only and I would prefer not to have to drill into my dash.

Many thanks for any input.

thinkxingu · 10-30-2022, 05:13 AM

Navionics app or pretty much any GPS today.

I've got a Garmin from just under a decade ago that has been flawless. Since the rocks don't move, it's still perfectly reliable. It's on a Ram mount that needs to be drilled, though.

No drilling? Get one of those magnet or suction cup mounts and Navionics on your phone.

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

Newbiesaukee · 10-30-2022, 08:14 AM

If you want the simplest, and particularly if you’ve used the Bizer charts and are familiar with them, I recommend the Bizer App. I just use my iPhone/iPad and I know where I am and where I want to go. Although the Garmin app does the same and more, it is a bit less user friendly.

Descant · 10-30-2022, 01:32 PM

This discussion came up a few years ago and there was a recommendation for a specific iPad because it had GPS, and the Navionics app could be downloaded. I went to the Apple store to inquire and their advisor knew nothing about an iPad with GPS. We mostly go where we're familiar, and little night time boating now, although we used to do a lot, so never used GPS. Anyway, every once in awhile I think about getting an iPad for the larger presentation and adding the Navionics chart. Any updates?

Newbiesaukee · 10-30-2022, 02:10 PM

An iPad with the cellular data option has an imbedded GPS.

Woodsy · 10-31-2022, 07:15 AM

Any cellular capable ipad will work well. If you use the Navionics app, it has the capability to download the map locally, so good cell reception/wifi isn't necessary!

Woodsy

ishoot308 · 10-31-2022, 07:17 AM

I am pretty sure Navionics was bought out by Garmin…

I love my Navionics chip!

Dan

LikeLakes · 10-31-2022, 08:20 AM

Navionics has worked great for me on my phone.

8gv · 10-31-2022, 08:34 AM

Navionics is great but...

How well can you see the phone or iPad screen in bright sunshine?

I like the bright screen on the Garmin plotter/fish finder that I have on my fishing boat.

The model is 74CV.

I believe the model number contains screen size and inland vs coastal waters so some study may be required to get the right one.

From the comfort of well, anywhere, I can use Navionics to plan a course or set waypoints.

From there I send the data to an app called "Active Captain" which serves as an intermediary between Navionics and the Garmin unit.

Then I take my iPad to my fishing boat, establish a connection with the Garmin unit's own wifi and the data transfers instantly.

It's good to have pre planned routes when transiting the rocky coast of New England!

LikeLakes · 10-31-2022, 08:41 AM

No question that Navionics on a phone is limited compared to an outdoor capable gps or plotter. In my case rather than a dash mount I keep it in my lap or hand when needing to look closely, can see it in bright sun (Galaxy S10). The zoom ability and resolution of the app is impressive, I've never struggled to see a proper route or avoid a hazard. If I was in a single boat all the time I'm sure I'd get something on a mount.

ishoot308 · 10-31-2022, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

Navionics is great but...

How well can you see the phone or iPad screen in bright sunshine?

I like the bright screen on the Garmin plotter/fish finder that I have on my fishing boat.

The model is 74CV.

I believe the model number contains screen size and inland vs coastal waters so some study may be required to get the right one.

From the comfort of well, anywhere, I can use Navionics to plan a course or set waypoints.

From there I send the data to an app called "Active Captain" which serves as an intermediary between Navionics and the Garmin unit.

Then I take my iPad to my fishing boat, establish a connection with the Garmin unit's own wifi and the data transfers instantly.

It's good to have pre planned routes when transiting the rocky coast of New England!

Just an fyi…you can buy the Navionics Micro SD card and insert it in a compatable fish finder / plotter unit. I use this card in my Lowrance unit and its awesome!

Dan

Johnfisher · 10-31-2022, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CompassMac

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good GPS - either phone app or boat mounted system? I dont need fish finding or other features. Just current location, depth if possible, and leaving "cookie crumbs" to retrace my course would be great. Winnipesaukee only and I would prefer not to have to drill into my dash.

Many thanks for any input.

For paid app, get this one.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/i-boat...ps/id994992062

For free one, just use this website.

https://fishing-app.gpsnauticalchart....6089/-71.3430

Descant · 10-31-2022, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnfisher

For paid app, get this one.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/i-boat...ps/id994992062

For free one, just use this website.

https://fishing-app.gpsnauticalchart....6089/-71.3430

Helpful first post. Thank you.

10-29-2022, 08:56 PM	#1
CompassMac Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Best GPS Apps Does anyone have any suggestions for a good GPS - either phone app or boat mounted system? I dont need fish finding or other features. Just current location, depth if possible, and leaving "cookie crumbs" to retrace my course would be great. Winnipesaukee only and I would prefer not to have to drill into my dash. Many thanks for any input.

10-30-2022, 08:14 AM	#3
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,353 Thanks: 946 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	If you want the simplest, and particularly if you’ve used the Bizer charts and are familiar with them, I recommend the Bizer App. I just use my iPhone/iPad and I know where I am and where I want to go. Although the Garmin app does the same and more, it is a bit less user friendly. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

10-30-2022, 01:32 PM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,335 Thanks: 1,338 Thanked 1,620 Times in 1,052 Posts	iPad? This discussion came up a few years ago and there was a recommendation for a specific iPad because it had GPS, and the Navionics app could be downloaded. I went to the Apple store to inquire and their advisor knew nothing about an iPad with GPS. We mostly go where we're familiar, and little night time boating now, although we used to do a lot, so never used GPS. Anyway, every once in awhile I think about getting an iPad for the larger presentation and adding the Navionics chart. Any updates?

10-30-2022, 02:10 PM	#5
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,353 Thanks: 946 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	An iPad with the cellular data option has an imbedded GPS. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

10-31-2022, 07:15 AM	#6
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,964 Thanks: 80 Thanked 979 Times in 440 Posts	Any cellular capable ipad will work well. If you use the Navionics app, it has the capability to download the map locally, so good cell reception/wifi isn't necessary! Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

10-30-2022, 05:13 AM	#2
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,209 Thanks: 1,167 Thanked 2,048 Times in 1,271 Posts	Navionics app or pretty much any GPS today. I've got a Garmin from just under a decade ago that has been flawless. Since the rocks don't move, it's still perfectly reliable. It's on a Ram mount that needs to be drilled, though. No drilling? Get one of those magnet or suction cup mounts and Navionics on your phone. Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

The Following User Says Thank You to Newbiesaukee For This Useful Post:
Descant (10-31-2022)

10-31-2022, 07:17 AM	#7
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,227 Thanks: 2,382 Thanked 5,275 Times in 2,049 Posts	Navionics I am pretty sure Navionics was bought out by Garmin… I love my Navionics chip! Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

10-31-2022, 08:20 AM	#8
LikeLakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 339 Thanks: 50 Thanked 92 Times in 66 Posts	Navionics has worked great for me on my phone.

10-31-2022, 08:34 AM	#9
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,091 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	Navionics is great but... How well can you see the phone or iPad screen in bright sunshine? I like the bright screen on the Garmin plotter/fish finder that I have on my fishing boat. The model is 74CV. I believe the model number contains screen size and inland vs coastal waters so some study may be required to get the right one. From the comfort of well, anywhere, I can use Navionics to plan a course or set waypoints. From there I send the data to an app called "Active Captain" which serves as an intermediary between Navionics and the Garmin unit. Then I take my iPad to my fishing boat, establish a connection with the Garmin unit's own wifi and the data transfers instantly. It's good to have pre planned routes when transiting the rocky coast of New England!

10-31-2022, 08:41 AM	#10
LikeLakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 339 Thanks: 50 Thanked 92 Times in 66 Posts	No question that Navionics on a phone is limited compared to an outdoor capable gps or plotter. In my case rather than a dash mount I keep it in my lap or hand when needing to look closely, can see it in bright sun (Galaxy S10). The zoom ability and resolution of the app is impressive, I've never struggled to see a proper route or avoid a hazard. If I was in a single boat all the time I'm sure I'd get something on a mount.