This past spring, Navionics came out with a new version of the app called Navionics Boating, which has all of the features of the original plus some extras. Likewise, apps that allow you to geotag photos to waypoints are useful, as you can record photographic reminders of various locations. This is a great way to communicate with friends and family during a cruise or race debrief. Sharing tracks via email or social media sites is also becoming popular. I prefer apps that allow you to manage waypoints and routes, and import them via GPX, a data format that allows you to share GPS information across multiple devices. Newer apps manage routes by connecting marks on the chart, so actual waypoints become less important. The more established apps allow you to manage waypoints and create routes using selected waypoints from a predetermined list. Look for an app with usability that makes sense to you, one that has an uncluttered display, transparent overlays, intuitive menus and easy-to-use zoom buttons.Īll apps support waypoints, routes and tracks to a varying degree. What works differently is panning or zooming around the chart, chart quilting and displaying chart layers. Check for the added features of a street map, satellite or topo/terrain map overlays.Īll nav apps display a ship’s location in a similar manner.

An app should allow you to store charts on the device so they can be used while underway and offline. When using an app, managing the charts should be as simple as selecting, downloading and installing chart tiles or regions. Also be sure to check the chart management functions.

Navionics web app