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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Nobeltec for IPad

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/05/2013 : 14:04:50

Looks like a pretty slick app. Combines charting with high resolution satellite photos of land features, but you must be connected to the internet over wifi or cellular for the satellite overlay. Charts can be stored locally on the IPad. The apps are free to run in demo mode, and the chart regions appear to be about $40. I'm going to download it and mess around. Not available for Android, but I would expect it to be ported before too long.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 14:40:59

Before you make the jump, check out Garmin's BlueChart as well. Charts for the entire west coast were $30, and the app itself is free. I like it, in fact the thing I like least about it has nothing to do with the app, it's that the screen of an iPad isn't very useful in the sun. You really have to be in the shade to be able to read it, even with the screen turned all the way up (which kills battery life).

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 15:13:15

I'm not planning to make the jump, just checking it out. I'm very happy with INavX and MacENC and just letting others know. I downloaded the app and found some complications for me. It imports and exports routes and waypoints in TZD format for Nobeltec, so you need Nobeltec on your PC if you want PC based records and charting. Nobeltec doesn't have a Mac version. It uses raster charts just like INavX - I was hoping for vector charts, but it doesn't matter since it doesn't work for me.
Neither INavX nor MacENC use proprietary data formats and MacEnc can use a variety of chart formats from free NOAA ENC's to Navionics Gold and a bunch in between. I don't think I'll be buying Nobeltec, installing it in Win XP, and running it in a VMWare window.

I actually did that a long time ago for Garmin, but MacENC is a richly featured nav system that exceeds all of my needs and desires. Fugawi now handles MacENC.

edit: I tried several anti-reflective screen protectors on my IPhone, but the only ones that had any noticeable benefit degraded the resolution to much. Checking them out on the IPad would probably produce the same results for a lot more money.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 11/05/2013 15:19:31

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2013 : 17:57:35

I just got the new iPad Air for Birthmas. (Wow!) I'm following this with interest! Excuse my struggles with the keyboard...

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2013 : 14:23:13

Dave, congrats on the new Ipad. Is this your first? Did you get 4G?
I have Ipad 2(one w/o Siri) and love the sailing app that are available. I think more are available for iOS than Android.
I use Navionics, FlyToMap, Marina LIfe apps and have several charts from NOAA, for navigation. And yes sun glare if an issue.
I did see WestMarine email re new Nobeltec and saw several reviews, most were favorable. But not willing to throw down the $40 yet.
BTW, all of you who use smartphone or tablet on water, especially salt like me, get a plastic cover for electronics protection. Besides glare, this is the 2nd disadvantage for using these vs real marine products.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2013 : 15:29:58

We have the 3rd generation iPad with wireless capability. My son bought it for us because he knew we'd want the GPS capability for the boat, even though we don't want to pay monthly fees for wireless. So we've used it on WiFi at home and other hotspots, and I've tethered it to my phone a couple of times when I needed some data while underway. I can confirm, with certainty, that the GPS works without wireless. Obviously you need to cache your charts, ActiveCaptain data, etc. locally if using it without wireless.

If you, like me, don't want to pay for data, you should consider T-mobile, who just announced 200 MB/month of free wireless data for tablets. You need to get a microSIM card from them (99 cents online), and there may be a one-time $10 activation fee (I've heard mixed reports about this). But after that, it's free forever as long as you stay under 200 MB. I just got the microSIM in the mail, and I'll be activating tonight or tomorrow, so I'll let you know if there's an activation fee.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2013 : 19:34:16

I like INavX on my IPad for the repeater ability with MacENC running on my MacBook Pro in the cabin, but there are many cheaper and equally capable programs if you're not Mac oriented.

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BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2013 : 19:59:58

We have a Hotspot through AT&T that works well with the iPad or a laptop. The plan gives us 5 GB/month for $35 so it isn't too pricey. I've only used it for steaming music and email on the boat. Next season I'll try the app. I'm not too sure of chart availability for the lake but it is worth a try.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.