Android apps

kerlstone · 18 July 2011, 15:19

Hi there, looking for some advice, Ive just ordered a new phone, HTC desire hd, I wonder has anyone got one? any good, and any advice on good apps for it. Thanks, Gerry.

Pikey Dave · 18 July 2011, 15:50

I don't know about Android, but I have the Navionics app on my ibone & it's worth every penny of the tenner I paid for it.

jyasaki · 19 July 2011, 02:10

I've got the HTC Inspire, but no usable marine apps. Will be watching this thread with interest.

jky

kedzior · 19 July 2011, 05:08

I've got Nexus S with Android. Downloaded Navionics charts for Baltic recently, but I had no opportunity to test it in action yet. Seems to be ok, but I think it should have more options and better interface.
It generally seems to be doing what it should as a standard tool. I'm still awaiting for better alternatives.

jokaboat · 19 July 2011, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedzior

I've got Nexus S with Android. Downloaded Navionics charts for Baltic recently, but I had no opportunity to test it in action yet. Seems to be ok, but I think it should have more options and better interface.
It generally seems to be doing what it should as a standard tool. I'm still awaiting for better alternatives.

Navionics are good for planning

Mobile gribs good for weather planning

Tide 7 - good for tides

Anchor watch

Boat log

Ship finder is a good AIS app

Like all smart phones though the gps gobbles the battery and don't let it get wet

jyasaki · 19 July 2011, 15:29

Quote:

Anchor watch

Is this an anchor alarm type thing? Set it once you're on the hook and it warns when you stray outside a designated circle?

jky

kedzior · 20 July 2011, 15:06

I got Aquapac for my phone, gps and display always on drains battery too fast - but I would treat it more like backup to normal plotter.
You may end up aground because of flat battery = no charts and without possibility to call for help because of flat battery.
I wont rely solely on smartphone.

jokaboat · 20 July 2011, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Is this an anchor alarm type thing? Set it once you're on the hook and it warns when you stray outside a designated circle?

jky

Yep, and if you pay out £1 it will send a text as well

jokaboat · 20 July 2011, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedzior

You may end up aground because of flat battery = no charts and without possibility to call for help because of flat battery.
I wont rely solely on smartphone.

Absolutely right. It's good for planning or as backup, get a 12v power cord though

kedzior · 20 July 2011, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by jokaboat

Absolutely right. It's good for planning or as backup, get a 12v power cord though

It wont come through aquapac. BTW Is there option to edit WPT in the middle of route? Its bit ridiculous if you have to delete all Wpts up to place you want to alter and make all the next ones from begining.

jokaboat · 20 July 2011, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedzior

It wont come through aquapac. BTW Is there option to edit WPT in the middle of route? Its bit ridiculous if you have to delete all Wpts up to place you want to alter and make all the next ones from begining.

Sorry which software are you referring to here?

kedzior · 20 July 2011, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by jokaboat

Sorry which software are you referring to here?

Navionics for Android.

9D280 · 21 July 2011, 11:14

I'm about to head down that android route too, and have been perusing various apps. (I also plan to put my Navonics roaming o nthe phone as a backup). I have a hillwalking colleague at work who has downloaded a free app called "mytracks" which he uses as a "get out of jail" card (follow the breadcrumbs back type idea) It will also save waypoints.

Combined with killing all the phone / internet etc in the background he reckons he can get a day out the battery on a trip up the hills with a bit to spare.

What does strike me would be a good "middle ground" app would be a 'droid version of a basic garmin handheld (e.g Etrex/ 72 kind of thing). I have failed miserably to find something like that - do they exist or is the app market selling to a load of technogooglemapjunkies?

Poly · 21 July 2011, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

What does strike me would be a good "middle ground" app would be a 'droid version of a basic garmin handheld (e.g Etrex/ 72 kind of thing). I have failed miserably to find something like that - do they exist or is the app market selling to a load of technogooglemapjunkies?

Almost certainly exists. Remind me what features you are looking for?

lat / long of current position
input list of waypoints
then course to navigate to next waypoint...

if it doesn't exist - I can probably create it for you!

9D280 · 21 July 2011, 14:17

That's a reasonable summary along with a trail recording gizmo. Map (in the Google map sense) not required, but a "blank sheet map" of waypoints & trails would be handy iif for no reason other than it makes finding the next waypoint soooo much easier and following a trail home also a dawdle!

Have a look at the online manuals for the GPS72 to see what I mean about the "map style".

kerlstone · 21 July 2011, 15:01

New phone arrived yesterday, huge screen, really bright, just what I need with my duff eyes!
Apps so far,

( Navionics uk holland,) I cant believe how good this is for under 20 quid, Ive overlaid google earth on it, its amazing everything is clickable, brings up a new screen with all the details you could possibly want, has tide tables, graphs, and flows as well, also wind arrows. So although your viewing on a wee phone, the fact that everything is clickable makes it a doddle, oh, and also tracks, waypoints and routes. Having said all that, will no doubt eat battery and data time if on all the time.

(Marine weather by bluefin,) great, Inshore weather and tides etc. free.

(Marine traffic), ais system, great free.

(Google sky map) free I like stars!.

Ive a funny feeling this is just the start as the app shop is bulging with toys.

Thanks for the ideas, Gerry.

tumnus · 18 August 2011, 15:03

Some useful android apps I have ( All free )
* Maverick - GPS,Compass, Waypoints etc --good for walking, not used this for boating yet though.

* SailDroid - Speed Compass / Log - Distance / Position

* Wind Guru

* Marine Weather

* Tide Prediction

And of course rib.net forums

willk · 18 August 2011, 15:20

GPS Essential (Android) seems more boaty minded. Not used it on the water yet but like the features.

9D280 · 19 August 2011, 09:38

Jumping back to my "garmin 12 on a Phone" the two freebies I've found that seem to come close are TurboGPS and "Alpine Quest". Needless to say both designed for mountains, so also give your altitude, but both seem to have the basic garmin features.

Not used either in anger yet, will let you know the results of that test later....

SPR · 19 August 2011, 10:08

least you will know the height of waves....