Navionics recently announced the latest version of its award-winning free app, Navionics Boating. Now offering free charts of the US and an expanded feature set that greatly enhances the boating experience, Navionics Boating allows users to record their tracks on the water, create routes, mark waypoints, check weather forecasts, share their data and more—all at no additional cost.
Available as a free download from the iTunes App Store for iPhone and iPad, and coming soon to Google Play for Android, the new Navionics Boating allows boaters to enjoy the app right from the start, as well as find, select and purchase award winning Navionics charts and other advanced content. The best new app to kick off the summer season, Navionics Boating is currently a top download on the Apple iTunes Store.
Free US “Govt.” Charts
For the first time ever, the free app is preloaded with “Govt.” charts – unaltered nautical charts published by official government sources that include NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) for US coastal and navigable waterways, plus additional shorelines of major lakes and rivers from other public sources. NOAA ENC® are vector data sets that conform to the International Hydrographic Office (IHO) S-57 standard. An incredible value, the new preloaded Govt. charts include primary navigational data such as depths, buoys, beacons, hazards, channel markers and more and ensure boaters have a ready-to-use tool as soon as they download the free app. A worldwide basemap is also included that can be enhanced by Map Overlay options for additional water, terrain and street detail. Navionics award-winning and full-featured charts – available for any region from the United States to every part of the world – can also be purchased at a very reasonable price at any time, right from within the app, opening the door to new improved dynamic tides and currents which display animated blue water lines for tides and directional arrows for currents, as well as a host of other fun and useful features.
Powerful Tracking
Navionics Boating uses GPS to measure and record performance data. Perfect for tracking a high-paced regatta, a day’s fishing excursion or a week-long vacation with the family, the improved functionality measures Speed, Trip Time, Course Over Ground (COG), Distance and more. Data is displayed in a new Tracking Console for quick reference and is fully customizable, allowing boaters to access the metrics that interest them most. Users can initiate tracking by touching the new start button directly on the home screen, pause the recording at any time, playback and review their track, and easily share details of their journey.
Expanded Routing
Planning and creating routes is also free with Navionics Boating, allowing users to measure distances, mark waypoints, create simple routes, and save data across mobile devices. Wind forecasts include 3-day projections, helpful for planning. An included trial version of Nav Module allows users to access advanced data such as Estimated Time of Arrival, Distance to Arrival and more.
Sharing the Fun
Boaters can easily share more memories of their trips. Using the camera function within the app, photos and videos are automatically georeferenced while recording a trip. In addition, trip images, such as tracking screens or stats, can now also be shared with family and friends via Facebook, Twitter and email.
Integration with On-board Electronics
Navionics Boating now includes Plotter Sync, a new feature that allows on-board electronics to connect to Navionics servers on the Internet for uploading data and downloading new charts or updates. Owners of Raymarine Wi-Fi enabled plotters – the first of Navionics manufacturer partners compatible with this technology – can now use Navionics Boating as a bridge for this connection. Plotter Sync users can now contribute to accurate charting for all boaters by uploading and sharing their fishfinder’s recorded sonar tracks with Navionics for integration into SonarCharts™ — a new HD bathymetry map that reflects ever-changing conditions. In June, Navionics Boating will also allow users to download and update charts from Navionics servers back to their plotter, eliminating the need to remove the memory card from the plotter to access the latest navigation data.
“While we’re serious about offering the very best cartography, we know how important it is that our app is easy to use and makes life better, even in some small way, for our customers.” said Don Black, SVP, Navionics. “And that’s the fun part that drives us to keep on developing new capabilities like the ones included for free in this latest version. We want to make an app that everyone will love.”
Navionics Boating is easily found on the iTunes App Store for the Apple iPhone or iPad by searching ‘Navionics Boating’. In addition to free US Government charts and powerful no charge features of the new version, Navionics Boating users can purchase detailed Navionics charts found on plotters in worldwide regions including: US & Canada, USA, Caribbean & South America, Greenland & Iceland, Norway, Baltic Sea, Skagerrak & Kattegat, UK-Ireland & Holland, Central & West Europe, Mediterranean & Black Sea, Upper Volga River, Moscow Area, Lower Volga River, Central Volga River, Canaries-Azores & Madeira, Africa & Middle East, Indian Ocean & South China Sea, China Sea & Japan, Australia & New Zealand, and Pacific Islands. To download from within the app, customers go to ‘Menu’ and then ‘Upgrades & Apps’.
Navionics Boating with free US Govt. charts and enhanced features are available for the iPhone and iPad with version 7.0. An updated version of Navionics Boating for Android will also be released on Google Play soon with similar features added throughout the year. Those who already own Navionics Marine & Lakes apps released after 2010 will receive all Navionics Boating features during their next free update. For more information on the all-new Navionics Boating app or to learn more about Navionics and its entire product line, please visit www.navionics.com.
