Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

[E_Man]

I was wondering if anyone can enlighten me as to which Marine Navigation application is most sophisticated for Pocket PC. I?m hoping there is one that can display depth at all times while warning if you enter areas that are too shallow or approach dangers. Of course a bonus would be marine trip planning and directions (designated paths). I was hoping the TomTom I have installed could take nautical maps and do this but after conducting some research I realize this is not possible. I know there are some applications out there that do this such as Fagawi, Maptech, NavTech, Teletype, and NaviChart ? I just don?t know which one is most sophisticated and provides the most functionality.

In addition, let me know if you know of any typical standalone GPS units which are used for road navigation but support copying of nautical maps for proper marine use, maybe it would be beneficial to get one in the future?

Thanks for reading.

Best Regards,

E.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Check this out. I've used their web app several times to find ramps & other info. Waiting for them to release an iPhone version!!!

http://www.activecaptain.com/store/prodACMWM.php

If you have an iPhone or Android phone (I know you said Pocket PC/Windows Mobile), this app is really cool:

http://www.navionics.com/NavionicsMobile.asp

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Got the Navionics app for my Android phone. (HTC Hero) It is awsome. Works just as good as my other chart plotter...

 

[E_Man]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Thanks for the quick replies Superbenk & Alpheus! I a happy to say that both of these apps look really good. Do any of them show the current depth based on GPS position or warn you if you are approaching dangerous areas? Do they have large scale Canadian charts (besides the great lakes)? Unfortunately Navionics doesn't have a version for WM :/

Has anyone here used multiple Pocket PC applications and can advise which app has the most functionality?

Thanks again. I'm really looking forward to trying one of these out on the field!

 

[superbenk]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

I think they both just use the charts available from NOAA. I don't have WM anymore (yay!), but the Navionics app gives you an option to set colors for a minimum depth (I think). So anything below your designated depth shows up as a darker blue & everything over is either lighter blue or white (for a dredged channel). There's no way I'd even hear an audible alarm on my phone when we're moving along at any sort of speed.

 

[E_Man]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

I see. Using the NOAA charts is usually not good enough, since for some charts the scale is so large that it can be useless at times. I understand that Navionics has downloadable charts for specific areas available but does it only use the NOAA charts or does it have its own? Also, do these apps support using your own charts instead of the ones provided?

I think they both just use the charts available from NOAA. I don't have WM anymore (yay!), but the Navionics app gives you an option to set colors for a minimum depth (I think). So anything below your designated depth shows up as a darker blue & everything over is either lighter blue or white (for a dredged channel). There's no way I'd even hear an audible alarm on my phone when we're moving along at any sort of speed.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

What you're looking for does not exist.

This warning is from Navionics. You will find a similar warning on all electronics charts

WARNINGS: For Marine Use: The electronic chart is an aid to navigation designed to facilitate the use of authorized government charts, not to replace them. Only official government charts and notices to mariners contain all information needed for the safety of navigation, and as always, the captain is responsible for their prudent use.

 

[E_Man]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Hey "Dingbat" (lol),

Thanks for the reply. Are you referring to warning me if I am about to enter dangerous areas or displaying current depth or being able to use other maps?

What you're looking for does not exist.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Hey "Dingbat" (lol),

Thanks for the reply. Are you referring to warning me if I am about to enter dangerous areas or displaying current depth or being able to use other maps?

I'm warning you against using any map as a sole means of navigation. Especially if you are depending on it for notification of dangerous situations and or areas. It's not going to happen.

Situations can change daily and you are lucky if your maps get updated every 10-15 years. Many maps have not been updated in over 25 years. It would be a real drag to go flying across the river only to run over top an old barge that sunk 3 weeks ago and tear your prop up. Or hit an old piling that is just below the surface of the water that wasn?t a problem last year when the lake was 3 higher.

Soundings on maps are notoriously inaccurate as well. I wouldn't rely on sounding from a map for navigation for nothing.

 

[E_Man]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Hey Dingbat,

I here you. I would not be using the application for the sole purpose of navigation but as the best reference point I can get out on the water. I guess what I am looking for in terms of warning the operator if he/she is approaching dangerous areas and the like does not exists, however I believe route planning and current depth do exist in some of the applications.

Thus far we have established that the application offering most functionality is Navionics, but they do not make a version for Pocket PC. Has anyone tried any or most of the following applications and can advise which one is best (or can share their experiences)?
* ActiveCaptain
* Fagawi
* Maptech
* NavTech
* NaviCharT
* Memory Map
* iPlotter
* Any other I may have missed

Thanks to all who contribute!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

If you want to know the depth of water you are in you need a depth sounder.

 

[E_Man]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Hey Bruce,

I do indeed have a depth sounder but now I'm looking to take that to the next level with the GPS application on the Pocket PC. I guess the confusion here is that there are a few applications out there so finding the best one is the issue...

If you want to know the depth of water you are in you need a depth sounder.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

GPS won't help you because the resolution of the depth measurements is very course for any location. The soundings for the depth data are MANY(100s) of feet apart. I guess my question is what are you using the depth for?

 

[E_Man]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Well, sometimes when I cruise lakes, one minute its all good and no worries and the next my heart drops because I see rocks all around. I really don't want to lose my motor. While charts/maps help, I don't continuously want to hold it up and follow every second that I navigate. So a GPS application would be very nice to have so that I know where to go and where not to go at all times without holding up the map. I would like to utilize the fact that I already have a Pocket PC and am very satisfied with the GPS fix that it can obtain and its accuracy on the road. I think that it would do the job on the water provided that the right application is used...

GPS won't help you because the resolution of the depth measurements is very course for any location. The soundings for the depth data are MANY(100s) of feet apart. I guess my question is what are you using the depth for?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

That won't do what you want it to do.

1) 99% of lakes aren't charted.
2) The ones that are have depts charted possibly 100s of feet apart.
3) Even if they were, they wouldn't show that rock that will hit your prop.

GPS shows your location. It does not tell you the depth of water beneath you. What you want is a data base that says the exact depth below you given your X/Y coordinates on the surface of the earth like a look up table. Problem is that the look up table you want does not exist.

 

[E_Man]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

I understand what you mean and the have a pretty good understanding of GPS, but I would be just fine with displaying my GPS position on a chart/map that contains as much data as possible at best. Looking at the NOAA and fedpubs site, I'd have to say that most (if not all) larger bodies of water that I will be going to with my boat will be charted.

If its not possible to display current depth then that's fine, but I'd like to find out which Pocket PC application can "do most" since I already know that there exits ones out there that are good enough for what I need anyways.

That won't do what you want it to do.

1) 99% of lakes aren't charted.
2) The ones that are have depts charted possibly 100s of feet apart.
3) Even if they were, they wouldn't show that rock that will hit your prop.

GPS shows your location. It does not tell you the depth of water beneath you. What you want is a data base that says the exact depth below you given your X/Y coordinates on the surface of the earth like a look up table. Problem is that the look up table you want does not exist.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

but I would be just fine with displaying my GPS position on a chart/map

That is as good as it will get.

Buy a depth finder. It will pay for itself. Even better, buy a combo GPS depthfinder.

 

[phwrd]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

You refer to a pocket pc. What brand and/or specific model, operating system ?

There is a program called ActiveCaptain, Might work for you.

http://www.activecaptain.com/store/prodACMWM.php

I use the Iphone Navionics and i would recommend it to anyone. Free updates, distance and waypoints.

Good luck.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

You refer to a pocket pc. What brand and/or specific model, operating system ?

Pocket PC is Windows Mobile OS (used to be referred to as Windows CE once upon a time). I referred ActiveCaptain to him too. AC is supposed to be coming out with an iPhone app too eventually.

 

[E_Man]

Re: Pocket PC Marine GPS application - Most Versitile

Welcome to the thread phwrd. Superbenk did recommend AC to me and it does look quite nice. Its good to know that such apps exist for Mobiles but there aren't many reviews about them let alone people who have tried more than one or a few and can compare and contrast between them.

Thus far we have the following list of applications where Navionics is ranked the highest:
* Navionics
* ActiveCaptain
* Fugawi
* Maptech
* NavTech
* NaviCharT
* Memory Map
* iPlotter
* Pocket Navigator
* NavPak
* zCapn
* TeleType GPS

Anyone reading please feel free to add to this list or share your experiences with any of them! I have also heard good things about Fugawi. Anyone tried it?

You refer to a pocket pc. What brand and/or specific model, operating system ?

There is a program called ActiveCaptain, Might work for you.

http://www.activecaptain.com/store/prodACMWM.php

I use the Iphone Navionics and i would recommend it to anyone. Free updates, distance and waypoints.

Good luck.

Pocket PC is Windows Mobile OS (used to be referred to as Windows CE once upon a time). I referred ActiveCaptain to him too. AC is supposed to be coming out with an iPhone app too eventually.