Caribbean Charts for the iPhone. Innovation and Excellent Value
We told readers how to use an iPhone as a GPS/Chart plotter in our recent newsletter, but have just learned that it’s not just us that think this is a great idea! Navionics, the people who make these iPhone charts, has won an NMMA Innovation Award at the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show in Orlando. One judge commented that ‘nowhere is the convergence of traditional boat/plotter navigation, water based outdoor activities and various online communities coming together more visibly than with Navionics Mobile for the iPhone’ (quoted from ‘The Cruising Compass’).
The other great news is that Navionics has announced that they will continue to offer these charts, via Apple iTunes, at the original low price, starting at $4.99! The charts are incredibly high quality - we even use them on the Maine Coast! We don’t substitute the iPhone for our main plotter, but we do find it amazingly helpful when off the boat or in the dinghy, and the price cannot be beaten! It could also be an emergency backup if the boat system went down.
There is much more to this application than charts. Navionics Mobile 2.2 can tie in photos of your Caribbean yacht charter, and can upload everything, including your route and special highlights to Facebook etc. Endless possibilities.
Read the original article in our Newsletter (subscribe while you’re there!). For more information, call us at 800 621 7855, email us, or visit the Ed Hamilton & Co site.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Navionics Mobile app’s most current versions are 3.0/3.1. This update gave the user the option to input lat/long. A feature that was requested repeatedly. Additional features include: a selectable marker icon, a screen lock, improved email sharing and additional specialty marine POI were added. We’re happy to report the (NMEA) National Marine Electronics Association just awarded Navionics Mobile with “Honorable Mention” in the most innovative product category at their recent conference held in Ft. Myers, Florida!
October 6th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
We’re happy to report that the NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) awarded “Honorable Mention” to the Mobile App at their recent conference in Fort Myers, FL. Please note the most current software version is now at 3.0/3.1. Watch for future updates!