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Sailors who contribute to this forum are also the type that would contribute to the Active Captain database. As posted earlier, you cannot contribute to AC using the IPad. Unfortunate. But AC does work well within the downloaded database without requiring an Internet connection.
Another upside - you can check on the helmsman without peering over their shoulder at the chartplotter.

Simple charts is a great chart plotting app. I used it on the texas 200 in June. Although it did rely on cell coverage for the map data, but it did consistently show my position on a blank screen.

I like the look of the navionics app. I will have to try that out. But I also want a purpose built GPS on the helm. If nothing else so I can see the screen.

The HD (high definition) version of the Navionics software is brilliant on either and iPad or iPhone 4 or 5. Great to have a backup for the dedicated chart plotter especially when the bloody thing cannot get a satellite fix which happens often with my Raymarine A50D. I take both iPad3 and iPhone out with me so have effectively 3 chart plotters as well as paper charts.

Everything here seems to add up. Just got back and tested a free hiking app, no cell coverage, fixed on my location, but with no map overlay, just a location on a white map, direction of travel, and compass. I knew where i was just not how to display it. The app was free and is very basic. Will have to look into these other apps you guys mention.

We use IPads for ourJepps /Nav charts flying as corporate pilots. Two are IPad 2 with wifi. One has 3 g. We use a Dual GPS Bluetooth receiver(will only work on one IPad at a time) for the wifi versions. The 3 g version gets position data on its own. I was under the impression that it has a built in GPS....unless it is picking up cel towers at the flight levels. Stated accuracy is less than 10 meters.....at 460 kts......not bad! You can check satellite status and number used with the Dual app page. Using the GPS map function is secondary, as we already have dual flight management systems on board......it's fun to play with(they match EXACTLY btw) We are going to upgrade to an ads- A Bluetooth receiver to get free graphic weather. It's nice to get a visual of what is happening at your destination hours away. Will report back on that as it has great benefits as a sailor also.

yukonbob wrote:Everything here seems to add up. Just got back and tested a free hiking app, no cell coverage, fixed on my location, but with no map overlay, just a location on a white map, direction of travel, and compass. I knew where i was just not how to display it. The app was free and is very basic. Will have to look into these other apps you guys mention.

Not sure if it works the same on Apple as Android but in Navioinics or even google maps you can cache the map area you need before leaving when you do have data access. The appropriate maps will show up even when you are off-line.

Screenshot


http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners. ... reid=16657


By zooming in on the screen....detail becomes apparent.


http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners. ... reid=16659

I write software apps for Apple. I know first hand there is no real gps in any currently released apple products.

The cell phone models use cell tower triangulation. Not satellites.

As several people have mentioned use a blue too gps unit. There are several on the market. I use mine for flying and on the boat as a backup to the garmin 740

There are at least three reputable posts of persons navigating on iPads without cell coverage,

To me, this proves they are receiving GPS signals, not cell tower signals.

MarkSouth wrote:I write software apps for Apple. I know first hand there is no real gps in any currently released apple products.

The cell phone models use cell tower triangulation. Not satellites.

I certainly don't want to cause an ill-will or hard feelings, but I really dislike debating facts as if they were opinions. The facts are:

The iPhone 4 previously used a BCM4750 single chip GPS receiver, and shared the 2.4 GHz WiFi antenna as shown many times in various teardowns. The iPhone 4S uses the MDM6610 which inherits the same Qualcomm GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Gen8 support, namely GPS and its Russian equivalent, GLONASS. The two can be used in conjunction at the same time and deliver a more reliable 3D fix onboad MDM6610, which is what the 4S does indeed appear to be using. GPS and GLONASS are functionally very similar, and combined support for GPS and GLONASS at the same time is something most modern receivers do now. The GPS inside MDM6610 fully supports standalone mode, and assisted mode from UMTS, GSM, OMA, and gpsOneXTRA.

Also, the Apple Application Program Interfaces (APIs) are designed with the express purpose of hiding the actual hardware from the programmer so he needn't deal with it, and so various Apple devices that do not include GPS and use WLS (the cell tower locating service) have exactly the same interface--The goal being that the programmer need not care and doesn't need to know what the underlying hardware is. So perhaps that's the source of the confusion: Some apple devices have true GPS, and some don't.

This is all very googlable, so please do just google it.

I sure would like to see the specs at Apple that says any hardware has real GPS. I sure haven't found it. I dont want to see some Google web page unless its written by Apple.

I am at Apple often. And while there isnt one person that knows everything, at least that I have met, the ones I have met also tell me there is no GPS.

So where are are Apple articles that say they have GPS or what are the models that have it. I will call Apple and get the scoop.

Also I am not worried about being covered by the API. I dont write to the API if I need something. I write at the device driver levels.

I can confirm that Navionics on the iPad or iPhone installs with just low resolution charts to save storage space. You then select the areas that you want to download in high definition while you have an Internet connection. These are stored on the device so you do not need wifi or cell coverage when you are actually out sailing. Works great!

Hamin' X:
I didnt see anything on the apple.com link that said they have a GPS chip.

innervations:
Yes you can download the charts and that is great. I have that software too. But that doesn't mention a GPS.

Next time you are able to try the "GPS" on an iPad try making a phone call or connect to a web page. Do either work?

I would love to have an iPad with the chip built in! I just have never found one!