tablet cartography Tablet cartography iPadTablet cartograhpyiNavXFor boats with NMEA wifi, this application can be used with the iPad to create a repeater to your chartplotter, but it works equally well as a standalone device. It uses Navionics cartography, so it is clear and accurate, loading and redrawing pages faster than our plotter, something that most of these apps managed to do. Be sure to buy the UK software, not the US version.App Free Cartography £30For the full navigation apps feature see the October 2012 issue of MBM.Tablet cartograhpyFly2MapThis app is basically Google Earth with added navigational markings. It offers a number of mapping options, from a detailed satellite view allowing easy identification of the area, to an offline mode should you run out of internet coverage, or be in foreign waters. It redraws quickly, allowing you to move around the chart easily. The number of markings seem excessive though, making the entrance to the River Medina in the Isle of Wight look like a boaters nightmare.App £13.99For the full navigation apps feature see the October 2012 issue of MBM.Tablet cartograhpyBoat BeaconThis AIS app uses the internet to get signals from other ships, overlaying them onto a clear map. Our tests gave correct information on ships and it certainly proved a useful aid. It uses Google Maps software so there is no marine chart detail, but shows yours and other boats locations. Accuracy was acceptable, being out by only 50m at most, but that is expected for less than £10.App FreeFor the full navigation apps feature see the October 2012 issue of MBM.Tablet cartograhpyShip FinderThis AIS-based app is free so it has little to prove. While it seemed accurate at first, it did miss off one or two vessels that we could see in front of us and positioned others a fair distance from where they were. It uses the standard Google Earth mapping, which is easy to read, but it lacks any marine details at all. On the plus side it does show the position of helicopters, which is a redeemable little feature. Simple and easy to use, but not for a serious boater.App FreeFor the full navigation apps feature see the October 2012 issue of MBM.Tablet cartograhpyiChartThis seems to be made up of raster charting, so there is little interaction on offer, plus the picture gets blurry when zooming in. You can find your position on the chart, but as one of the more expensive apps, there isnt enough on offer here to tempt us. App £39.99For the full navigation apps feature see the October 2012 issue of MBM.Tablet cartograhpyNavionicsWe used the UK and Holland system, giving you vast coverage for a very fair price. Marking waypoint and routes is simple and you can add photographic references to the charts by taking pics and loading them on to the cartography. Mapping gets the right amount of detail without being cluttered and the buttons are big enough to use while moving. App £37.99For the full navigation apps feature see the October 2012 issue of MBM.Tablet cartograhpyImrayThis app comes with a free initial download allowing basic detail of European waters. You can then buy more detailed charts for specific cruising areas. On the purchased charts, a useful feature allows you to view image overlays of ports and river entrances by clicking on a camera icon great for visiting a new marina or harbour. App £19.99For the full navigation apps feature see the October 2012 issue of MBM.Tablet cartograhpyAnchor WatchThis is a simple anchor alarm app, using GPS and Google Maps to record where you are, and set a perimeter to stay within. Should your anchor drag your phone or tablet will alert you with an alarm. App 69pFor the full navigation apps feature see the October 2012 issue of MBM.
