In its newsletter of 22 October 2013, theOffice of Coast Survey, Department of NOAA (*) responsible for the production of nautical charts of the U.S.A., announces the end of the printing paper charts. This announcement was a bombshell in American marine and the press has made in largely echo. Read more …
Category : Charting
Charting compared, a mixed result
Three weeks and 600 nautical miles of sailing between the mainland and the Balearic Islands have allowed me to test in live some of iPad maritime applications we have.
Warning : There is no question of making a point-by-point comparison between applications, but rather to highlight certain essential aspects of their use. On the other hand, applications used were up-to-date at the beginning of July. Developments are rapid, and updates may have occurred in August or early September that I did not have. Finally, the messaging app iNavX associated with Navionics charting available from the X-Traverse server for me is the "master-standard" marine applications. iNavX is the most complete application in terms of features to date, and Navionics charting (from the X-Traverse server, I specify) closest to the geographical reality observed by many users.
MaxSea TimeZero on iPad
Announced for three months, The first version of TimeZero has been available for iPad for a few days. Under the brand Nobeltec, bought by Signet S.A., MaxSea holding company (¹), this free application contains a simplified design suitable for the tablet technology that has made the reputation of the French publisher.
I was waiting with curiosity for a while the position taken by MaxSea about the iPad phenomenon. The least I can say is that I am not disappointed. Read more …
Apps de navigation : the new products of spring 2013
Things are moving on the iOS app publisher side. Updates follow one another and new functions appear. A quick tour of the new virtual products, because I haven't tested anything at sea yet. It will come, Don't doubt it ! Read more …
ENCs, Routing and sailing shaves stone
The relationship of a recent experience of an iNavX user and Weather4D PRO routing function invites me to bring a warning to the attention of novices boaters in computer use.
A regatta course, departure from St Helier (Jersey) to arrival Granville, optimized with Weather4D PRO using fine grid GCWF model and MyOcean currents prediction, gave the following route in iNavX :
The optimized route transferred to iNavX
Apps de navigation : what's new for the start of the school year
While I spent my summer diligently testing hardware and software in extremely arduous conditions, hard-working developers tirelessly aligned miles of lines of code to improve our navigation applications. What dedication, what self-sacrifice !
Challenging working conditions…
Regarding navigation applications, the new features mainly come from Navionics Marine and iSailor Sex. To all lord all honor, let's start with the undisputed leader of our smartphones and tablets, Navionics charts… Read more …
Imray Marine 2.0
March, the 7 June 2012, Imray has released its navigation app for iPhone and iPad.
It is now a free app and includes online charts purchase directly from the application.
Two charts of the Channel are always provided as standard for test, and a world map shows the areas of charts region available.
iOS5 and iNavX update
Richard Ray informs us :
I noticed after updating to iOS 5 that all my maps downloaded in iNavX were gone. This happened because the iOS update 5 update requires a full restore of the device and the charts are not stored in the iOS backup (because of iCloud). Let me know if you experience any different operation.
To restore any NOAA charts, Select any NOAA region, then select the Recent filter (looks like a clock), then select "Update Maps".
To restore any charts from X-Traverse (Navionics charts, NV-Verlag, Solteknik, aso.) : Select the folio you want, select "Update Map List", select a map and then "Download all".
If you have any problem with your X-Traverse account, Contact support@x-traverse.com
Free ENC river charts for use with MacENC
As part of its policy aimed at offering users an ever more efficient and safe waterway, public institution Waterways of France (VNF) embarked on the production of electronic navigational charts on various inland waterways. The first two : the “Dunkerque-Escaut” and “La Garonne” connection are published.
The big surprise, unique case in the history of French administration, is that these charts are available free and free download on VNF website. It was worth saluting ! Read more …
Curious price changes at Navionics
Bad news : changes in the price of Navionics charts for iNavX on iPad have appeared on the site x-traverse.com, and unfortunately for the regions that directly concern us : Region 46XG Europe and 43XG Mediterranean (replacing the previous 23XG 2011) for iPad increase by +13% to $54 to $61 (either daily exchange 38 € up to 43 € environ).
At the same time, however, Region 28XG British Isles lose -18% to $84 to $69 (59 € up to 48 € environ). Good news for English browsers, and our fellow citizens who travel the beautiful coastline of the "Perfide Albion".
It remains nonetheless that, after a significant increase in early May with the arrival of editions 2011, it is surprising to see such rapid changes just at the start of the summer season, you'd think the stock rates !