With the best marine navigation apps you can quite literally turn your phone or your tablet into a full-blown chartplotter. That means you have a valuable back-up to the electronics at your helm, and you can carry your tech with you even when aboard small boats with no electrical systems.
What is the best free marine GPS app?
And because they download to your iPhone, Android or tablet, you can carry them with you from boat to boat.
Here are our top choices for boat navigation apps:
- Navionics.
- iNavX.
- C-Map.
- SeaPilot.
- iSail GPS.
- KnowWake.
Is there a Google Maps for boats?
While you can create a personalised map and custom settings, Google Maps doesn’t provide built-in directions for boat routes.
What is the best GPS for a boat?
Navigate the Waters With the Best Marine GPS
- 1 Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS – Best Overall.
- 2 Garmin ECHOMAP Marine GPS – Most Accurate GPS.
- 3 Simrad Cruise Marine Chartplotter – Most Intuitive Interface.
Can you use your phone as a boat GPS? – Related Questions
Is there a free marine navigation app?
Free to Download & Use
With Argo you get navigation and routing, local boating knowledge and social boating features all in one app! Available on iOS and Android phones and tablets.
What kind of GPS do boats use?
Styles of Boat GPS Devices
GPS devices come in three different styles: handheld, portable, and dash-mounted. They both have pros and cons for boaters. Most GPS devices rely on information from three satellites, thus the idea of triangulation. There are usually at least 12 to 24 satellites available at any time.
What is the difference between a GPS and a chartplotter?
GPS provides your location, but it doesn’t show it on a map. A chartplotter takes the GPS location and places it on top of a map. All chartplotters use GPS, but not all GPS are chartplotters. Chartplotters sound like they’re very helpful.
How do I choose a marine GPS?
Boat GPS Size and Display
The size of the GPS unit you select will affect the display size, and may also limit the areas on your boat where it can be installed. The characteristics of the display, contrast, and brightness are essential for you to be able to easily see important navigational information.
Which GPS has the highest accuracy?
The Garmin GPSMAP 66st is at the top of its class in terms of accuracy and reliability, earning it our top honors. It boasts a powerful quad-helix antenna and reliably connects to more satellite networks with greater accuracy than most other models.
Which GPS type is the most accurate?
Judging strictly by the numbers, Galileo is technically the best and most accurate satellite navigation system that exists. However, it is also the youngest and it’s not even 100% complete yet, so I wouldn’t ditch GPS just yet.
Is a GPS more accurate than a phone?
Interesting to note that the most accurate in terms of distance are not necessarily the most accurate at plotting route data. Keep this in mind when using GPS to map trails. Overall, the error rate is pretty low–around 3% or less for all but one device.
GPS Distance Accuracy Test: Smartphone Apps vs. Dedicated GPS.
| Device |
Distance |
Error |
| Garmin 60CSx |
2.2529 |
-9.88% |
Are Smartphone GPS accurate?
For example, GPS-enabled smartphones are typically accurate to within a 4.9 m (16 ft.) radius under open sky (view source at ION.org). However, their accuracy worsens near buildings, bridges, and trees. High-end users boost GPS accuracy with dual-frequency receivers and/or augmentation systems.
Is GPS more accurate than WiFi?
WiFi is much better than GPS at determining a user’s precise location.
Is GPS better than Bluetooth?
Bottom line: Bluetooth Low Energy tracking systems like One-Key are more affordable, have more longevity, and are more versatile than the Global Positioning System. Overall, GPS of course has its strengths, primarily that it can track objects over much longer distances.
Is Google Maps better than a GPS?
GPS Devices Have Professional Software With Extra Features
Google Maps can give you reliable driving directions, but it can’t perform many functions that professional GPS software offers.
Does GPS still work without Wi-Fi?
Can I use GPS without an Internet connection? Yes. On Android and iPhone devices, the google maps app can locate and follow you wherever you are without the internet or without data. The GPS on your smartphone is able to do both things at the same time.
Is there a free GPS?
The Google map is a free GPS tracking app that saves time and money on routing plans. And with the real-time location tracking feature, users can know precisely the location of others on the map.
How do I use my phone as a GPS?
Start or stop navigation
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
- Search for a place or tap it on the map.
- At the bottom left, tap Directions.
- Choose your mode of transportation.
- If other routes are available, they’ll show in gray on the map.
- To start navigation, tap Start.
Is GPS free on mobile phones?
While the GPS feature on your smartphone doesn’t cost anything, using applications connected to it could.
What is a free GPS app?
HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation. Gaia GPS. Karta GPS. Polaris GPS Navigation. Roadtrippers.