What flavor of Navionics should I buy?

[HeadedToTexas]

As I recall, I first looked into Navionics before it all merged with Garmin and Active Captain (and before I had a boat). It was a neat and free chart plotter app that ran on tablets. I bookmarked it.

Now I am back and ready to start using Navionics and it's become something I don't recognize. I have a trial on my iPhone and I created an account on their website. Still confused.

What is the best way to use Navionics today? I have aging Standard Horizon chart plotters at each helm and want to use Navionics as a planning and route creation tool, and as a back up to the chart plotter(s).

 

[Turtle Blues]

I got frustrated and moved to Open CPN which has an incredible developer forum and following on Cruisers Forum. Completely free, works on almost anything but does have a learning curve for managing charts.

 

[Scottwb96]

I find them to be super easy to use... Integrates well, even across different platforms (I use Raymarine Axioms). I usually keep an Ipad on the app and my chart plotter/auto pilot running with the Navionics charts also. Newer plotters also allow you to sync the routes to the plotter which is nice also.

 

[PMF1984]

Well the thing about Navionics is the sonar charts. They are a great tool. The auto routing can be quirky.

 

[koliver]

As I recall, I first looked into Navionics before it all merged with Garmin and Active Captain (and before I had a boat). It was a neat and free chart plotter app that ran on tablets. I bookmarked it.

Now I am back and ready to start using Navionics and it's become something I don't recognize. I have a trial on my iPhone and I created an account on their website. Still confused.

What is the best way to use Navionics today? I have aging Standard Horizon chart plotters at each helm and want to use Navionics as a planning and route creation tool, and as a back up to the chart plotter(s).

I bought the deluxe Navionics last year. I had to change to an iphone after that. I had a copy of Boatbeacon on my phone, but when I wanted to pick it up again on the ipone, I couldn't. They didn't transfer across from android to i. Then my Navionices expired. really expired. Basic outlines of the major geo features was all I could get. For the price of a Navionics renewal, I got Boatbeacon and a good charting program, a lot like Navionics, but a little different, integrated with Boatbeacon, so I get all of the AIS targets overlaid on my charting program, showing my track, current speed and direction, etc, all on my phone.

 

[Pmcsurf1]

Navionics app says boating hd.
Looks like this.
Worth it.
Only thing I navigate with now. 2004 raymarine outdated.

 

[catalinajack]

I use Navionics on my chart plotter backed up with Navionics on two tablets which also have up-to-date versions of AquaMaps. I have found more than subtle differences in the utility of the chartplotter vs the tablet versions of Navionics. Mainly, the chartplotter shows the boat moving through the water much more smoothly and stabily than on the tablet. I use the tablets primarily for double-checking. Having used both for years, I much prefer looking at the chartplotter. Sure, one can get along with just a tablet and many do. Some also get along navigating on a cell phone which I think is not a very good idea.

Navionics app says boating hd.
Looks like this.
Worth it.
Only thing I navigate with now. 2004 raymarine outdated. View attachment 108407

 

[HeadedToTexas]

Thanks guys. I made it 700 miles from Grand Haven, MI, to Sandusky, OH with Navionics on an iPhone and an Android tablet. Guess you could say the old Standard Horizons chart plotter was a back up, but it really contributed nothing. In time, the two old SH plotters will come out and I'm betting I become a tablet only guy.