INavX Tutorial

iNavX Tutorial
1. iNavX - Getting Started
The most popular post on my blog last year was, iNavX. It was the most searched for and read post
during 2011. It is not hard to figure out why, iNavX was one of the first marine navigation apps out there
for the iPhone and the iPad
2. iNavX - Charts and Waypoints
This is part two of a tutorial for the marine navigation app iNavX. I have owned the app for about a year and
have explored most of its functions and features. Each new release seems to brings more features and
added functionality
3. iNavX - Routes and Tracks
In part 1 of the tutorial, I covered "Getting Started with iNavX". In part 2 I showed you the many features of
the the main iNavX Chart display. I also showed you how to create and edit Waypoints in several different
ways. In this 3rd session I will cover the creation and editing of Routes and Tracks.
4. iNavX - Instruments and NMEA Data
This is part 4 of a tutorial for iNavX. We have covered quite a bit in our previous posts so check them out to
get up to speed on this great app.
This app is not only a great charting app but it has an extensive Instrument display package built in. Many
of us have instruments on our boats. The power of this app is that you can put access to that instrument
data in the palm of your hands anywhere on your yacht
iNavX - Getting Started
The most popular post on my blog last year was, iNavX. It was the most searched for and read
post during 2011. It is not hard to figure out why, iNavX was one of the first marine navigation apps out
there for the iPhone and the iPad.
iNavX continues to to update the app and make needed improvements to take advantage of all the iPad's
capabilities. I plan on writing a series of articles in the next few weeks to showcase this great app. I
originally wrote a iNavX post over a year ago and much has changed with the app since then.
Some may shy away from the app because it will cost you $49.99. Don't let that stop you from buying it if
you are a serious marine navigation nut like me. It is much more than just a charting app as we will find
out. Some other added features you won't find in other apps are AIS, NMEA 0183 and 2000 data, anchor
alarm and auto pilot control.
Lets re-visit some of the features of this great app:
• All NOAA RNC marine charts free to download.

• Large chart store X-Traverse with a variety of charts. Charts include CHS Canada charts, Navionics Gold
charts, Fish'N'Chip charts, HotMaps, NV. Verlag charts, Hilton's Fishing charts, TRAK Canada lakes fishing
maps and Solteknik European waters charts.
• Map and satellite overlays.
• Full line of instruments to display in digital or analog style.
• Instruments types for location services, NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000.
• WiFi capabilities receive and send data over TCP/IP.
• Ability to email position.
• Create waypoints and routes. Import and export waypoints and routes including KML (Google Earth) and
GPX formats.
• Export tracks to email or Facebook via X-traverse account.
• Track Log recording.
• Ability to measure bearing and distance.
• Weather forecast Grib files and tides.
• On screen compass and instrument bar.
• Multi-touch gesture controls of screens.
Let get started using this great app.
1. First download the app from the iTunes Store. You will need an iTunes account to make the purchase. I
would suggest downloading it to your iPad if you have one. The larger form factor of the iPad is great for
viewing the charts. The iNavX app will work on the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch with iOS 4.2 or later.
2. Downloading Charts is fairly easy. iNavX allows you access to all the NOAA RNC charts for free. These
are the most common charts used for coastal navigation. To download charts select a Chart Region to
download. The NOAA charts for Alaska, USA West, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes and USA East are
available.
This is the NOAA USA East chart list. Simply select one of the charts that you wish to download. You will
then be asked to download the chart or download all "USA East".
If you want all the charts, go for the download all. If you are just interested in the one chart you selected,
select "Yes".
The charts that you have downloaded will now show up in bold.
There are three indications at the top of the chart display.
The magnifying glass will allow you to search by number or name. The Triangle will
show charts that intersect with your position. The Clock will show you the most recently opened charts.
If you want additional charts other than the free NOAA charts you can purchase these through X-Traverse.
This process is complicated, so follow below.
You will need an X-Traverse account to purchase and access your charts. This account will cost you
$10.00 per year and allows you access to your charts through the iNavX app. Access to Grib weather files
and transfer of waypoints and tracks can also be done through your account.
Once you have your X-Traverse account you can then purchase
additional charts. Make sure you purchase the iPad charts for download. They offer a wide range of
Navionics, CHS Canadian Charts, Fish"N"Chips, HotMaps, NV Verlag and Hilton fishing charts.
To access and download your purchased charts in your iNavX app you need to add your X-Traverse
account information to the app. Go to "Preferences" and select "X-Traverse Account". This is where you will
add your email and password for your account.
Next select "Show Account Information" this will retrieve your account info showing you what products you
have activated for use by the iNavX app.
You will next need to go back to the Charts list and select "Add More Charts to Menu". The next menu
should show you the list of charts. The charts you purchased should show up as bolded. I purchased
Navionics Gold Marine Charts 2011. Select this and another display will show the charts in that package.
Turn "ON" the charts you purchased.
Go back to the iNavX menu and select the chart you turned on to view you charts. Select your chart title
and download you your iPad.
My next post will cover the charts display and navigation screen features for iNavX.
iNavX Part 2: Chart Display and Waypoints
This is part two of a tutorial for the marine navigation app iNavX. I have owned the app for about a year and
have explored most of its functions and features. Each new release seems to brings more features and
added functionality.
In this post I want to cover the details and functionality of the Chart display interface and show how to
create and edit Waypoints.
Chart Interface:
The chart interface contains a series of banners and bars to facilitate navigation around the app. These are
overlayed on the chart that you presently have selected for navigation. On the bottom of the screen you will
find soft keys for Charts, Waypoints, Routes, Tracks, Instruments, Forecastsand Guide. On the top you will
find a compass and instruments banner. Other navigation features on the screen are a + and - sign for
zooming in and out of the displayed chart.
An icon in the middle right side of the screen has two blue arrows. This allows viewing of the chart in full
screen. Tapping this will make the top menu banner and the bottom soft keys disappear, hit it again and
they return.
On the top left side of the instrument banner you will also see
a small blue dot with a greater than sign. Tapping this allows you to either display or not display the
compass and instrument banners. On the upper right side of the instrument banner is an lower case i in a
gray dot. Selecting this allows you to bring up the settings window for the instruments as shown in the
image to the left.
In the instrument banner you can swipe left and right with your finger to see additional instruments. Multi
touch functions of pinching in and out will zoom the display in and out.
On the top right side of the gray chart banner you will see a gear icon. Selecting this will take you to the
chart display settings. Here you can modify viewing, position and color of many items on the chart display.
Settings for Icons, Velocity vectors, night vision, waypoints, routes and tracks can all be set.
The "Long Tap New Waypoint" feature can be turned on or off here also.
In the lower right side of the display there is another lower case i, selecting this will give you information
about the chart on display.
Here you can select the chart options for removal, updating, emailing, Tweeting, printing and opening the
chart as a PDF file.
Waypoints:
Waypoints are the building blocks of navigation and the routing function within the app. In iNavX there are
several ways to create waypoints.
The first is to simply tap the chart once where you want to place a waypoint. A small window will then pop
up with options of More Detail, Goto, Zoom In, Zoom Out and Maps. On the upper right corner of the
window you will see a green waypoint maker icon. To place the waypoint at this location tap this icon. You
will then notice that the waypoint will appear on the screen with a name like WP0001. If you want to move it
simply tap the waypoint name on the screen until it highlights grey and then move it around to where you
want it. Tapping it a second time will bring up a menu to go to the waypoint, add it to a route, edit it, zoom in
and out or map it.
Another way to create a waypoint is the use the "Long Tap New Waypoint" function. This has to be enabled
in the chart view setup by selecting the gear icon in the top right of the display. To use the function simply
tap and hold for 2 seconds and a new waypoint appears on the chart.
This may seem like a lot of detail but it will become second nature when you start adding waypoints and
building routes.
The third way to create a waypoint is to hit the Waypoints soft key at the bottom of the display. The
Waypoints screen includes Import/Export, Remove All Waypoints, New Waypoint and Port Search. On the
bottom you will see a list of waypoints.
Import/Exports is a way to save or retrieve your waypoint and routes with your X-Traverse account. Your
email and password for your X-Traverse account must be entered in the Account view under Preferences.
You will need an internet connection to transfer the data to and from your account.
Remove all waypoints is pretty self explanatory. Selecting this will wipe out all your waypoints. Your are
prompted again asking if you want to remove them, if so, select "Yes".
The New Waypoint selection will create a new waypoint near your present position. This new waypoint "pop
up box" includes several options.
You can change the waypoint name by selecting the Name field and typing the new text. Actual latitude and
longitude can be entered if you know the GPS coordinates. A short description can also be added. Hit
the Position button to use your current position. The Lock button allows you to lock it from deletion until
unlocked. Showcan be switched on or off to display the waypoint on the chart. The Arrival buttonallows
you to set the arrival distance setting. If this waypoint is used in a route and you are within the arrival
distance the app will advance to the next waypoint in the route.
Scroll to shows the waypoint on the Chart view display. The Camera icon in the upper right corner allows
you to take a picture or use a picture from your devices camera roll and attach it to the waypoint. Open in
Maps will bring up the waypoint and allow you to view it in Google satellite, street maps or both. You will
need an Internet connection to display the Google maps.
The Goto Button, when selected, starts the navigation from your current position to the selected waypoint.
iNavX shows a solid blue line on the chart display and shows the bearing, distance, crosstrack error and
time to go in the instrument banner on the top.
Another great feature on the Waypoints page is Port Search. Here you can search for a marinas, points of
interest, resorts and navaids. Selecting the Position button on the top of the page will list all locations within
50 miles. This feature will only work with the Navionics charts. The NOAA charts will not have this data. The
data base is local so no Internet connection is needed for the Port Search.
As you can see, iNavX has a very full featured chart display and waypoint functionality. They seem to have
thought of everything. You can see why it is one of the most popular charting and navigation apps out
there.
Next time I will cover routes and tracks. Stay tuned!
iNavX Part 3: Routes and Tracks
In part 1 of the tutorial, I covered "Getting Started with iNavX". In part 2 I showed you the many
features of the the main iNavX Chart display. I also showed you how to create and edit Waypoints in
several different ways. In this 3rd session I will cover the creation and editing of Routes and Tracks.
Routes:
A route is simply a collection of waypoints that make up the path to your destination. To create a route
select the Routesoft key at the bottom of the main Chart display. On the route display you will see a + sign
in the upper right hand corner. Selecting this will take you into the route creation and editing page. The
new route will be given an name like RT001. You can change the name of your route by tapping your finger
in the route name field and typing in the new text. Here I have renamed the route to Cape Coral - Naples.
Next we need to add some waypoints to define the route. This can be done on the main Chart page or in
the route creation display.
Lets first use the routes creation display. Select the Routes soft key, you should now see the Cape Coral -
Naples route listed.
Edit this route by tapping anywhere on that line and it will take you to the route editing display. You can start
adding waypoints by tapping the + sign on the upper left side of the screen.
A list of waypoints will come up for you to select from, tap on the waypoints needed to create the desired
route.
Another way to create a route is to do it graphically on the Chart display. First we need to select the route
and make it active. Go to the Route page and select Cape Coral - Naples by tapping the greater than sign
in the blue dot on the right side of the screen. A pop up will show that it has been selected.
Next go back to the Chart display and create the first waypoint with a single tap near Sanibel Island. Tap
the green marker in the upper right corner of the popup to create WP0001.
Next, double tap the waypoint name and a pop up window will give you the options ofMore Detail, Goto
WP0001, Add WP to Route: Cape Coral - Naples, Edit Waypoint, Zoom In, Zoom Out and Maps. We want
to select the second option Add WP0001 to Route: Cape Coral - Naples. Selecting this will add the
waypoint to the route.
Single tap to create waypoints 2, 3 and 4. Double tap to add them to the route. This will take us down the
coast to our destination which is Naples.
You will notice that a dashed blue line connects the waypoints from start to finish.
To navigate to the first waypoint in the route, select the GoTo button on the upper right side of the route edit
display. A solid blue line will be shown on the chart from your current position to the first waypoint.
You will now see a red dot over the Waypoints soft key and the first waypoint on the chart display will also
be highlighted in red. The route will automatically advance to the next waypoint in the route if the boats
position is within the arrival distance of the waypoint. If the arrival distance is set to None no automatic
advancement will occur. You can manually advance to the next waypoint by selecting the Next button in the
Routes display.
When a route is active, the waypoint being navigated to will have it's bearing, time to go, distance and
crosstrack error displayed in the Instrument banner. A solid blue line will show the track of the vessels
current position to that waypoint.
To backup and protect all your waypoints and routes, iNavX has the ability to Import and Export your
data to your X-Traverse account. This is basically Cloud storage for your waypoints and routes. You will
need to sign up and purchase an X-Traverse account on the Internet for $10. Enter your account login and
password in the iNavX app under Preferences.
The Import/Export function is on the Waypoints display. Selecting this will give you the option of several file
formats to export. You can export or email in GPX, KML and KMZ formats.
Learning to create and edit routes is key to making the most of your iNavX app. Spend some time
practicing creating waypoints and routes and saving them to your X-Traverse account.
Tracks:
Tracks are simply a digital recording of the path that

your vessel has taken over time. iNavX will record up to the last 500 miles traveled. To start Tracking
select the Track soft key at the bottom of the main navigation display. The Tracking display has the options
to Export, Remove, Track Back,Record and Background Recording options.
Export allows you to download your tracks to your X-Traverse account in a GPX or KML file formats. Tracks
can also be exported to Facebook, email or opened in iNavX. This is a fun way to share your adventures
with your family and friends and backup you tracks. Your Facebook account will need to be linked to your
X-Traverse account under Preferences. An Account button also exists on the top of the Track display. Use
this to link your Facebook account.
The Remove option is the way to delete unwanted track logs. Track Back is a powerful tool that allows you
to create and navigate to a track back waypoint. This allows you to navigate back on the track you
previously traversed.
To start Tracking select Hi, Med, or Lo in the Record section. To stop tracking select Off. The Hi setting
records up to 50 NM at the highest resolution. Med records up to 250 NM and Lo records up to 500 NM.
The recorded tracks and statistics for those tracks are listed below on the Tracks display.
Another neat feature is the Background Recording. Even with with the iNavX app suspended it will continue
to record track information. Make sure to have your device plugged into power, if not, it will drain your
battery rather quickly. This feature will only work with the devices Location services.
I hope you are following all of this. If you have any questions, please comment. As you can see, Routes
and Tracks are two powerful tools that iNavx has to help you navigate. My next post will cover
Instruments.
~~~~Sail On~~~~~
iNavX - Part 4 Instruments and NMEA Data
This is part 4 of a tutorial for iNavX. We have covered quite a bit in our previous posts so check them out to
get up to speed on this great app.
This app is not only a great charting app but it has an extensive instrument display package built in. Many
of us have instruments on our boats. The power of this app is that you can put access to that instrument
data in the palm of your hands anywhere on your yacht.
The app will display data from the on board Location Services of your iPad or iPhone or from your boats
WiFi TCP/IP connection. Locational services can be turned on by selecting the Settings icon in your iPad or
iPhone. The app will then use the internal GPS and locational services. If you want to know more about
how Locational Services works, please view the following article from by Glenn Fleishman from MacWorld.
He has forgot more than I will ever know about the iPad.
One of the most important features of the app is the ability to receive NMEA data using TCP/IP and display
it as instrument data. A computer or a WiFi multiplexer running a TCP/IP server can broadcast any type of
NMEA data that is connected to it.
iNavX will accept two types of instrument data. Most of us are familiar with the the original instrument
protocol, NMEA 0183. The app is also able to display NMEA 2000 data which is the newest supported
protocol by most marine manufacturers.
iNavX has a user guide which displays the NMEA 0183 sentences, NMEA 2000 PNGS and datum
supported by each communications protocol. The complete table can be found here. It is very extensive so
I did not repeat it here.
The NMEA 2000 supported PNGS offer a few more monitoring data points in addition to most of the NMEA
0183 monitored values.
Now that we know what we can display, let look at the app and see how we do it.
On the main Chart display you will see Instruments as one of the main soft keys at the bottom of the
screen. Selecting this brings you to the instruments display.
If you have Locational Services turned on in your device some data will show up. Course information will
include Heading(HDG), Rate of Turn(ROT) and Speed Over Ground(SOD). Position information will
include Altitude(ALT), Connection Type(CON), Horizontal Position Error(HPE), Latitude(LAT),
Longitude(LON), Universal Time(UTC) and Vertical Position(VPE) accuracy.
Tapping one of the instruments will bring up a pop up window to highlight the data. This pop up can be set
to display either digital or analog instruments.
The main Instruments Display shows a list of active data being displayed from Locational Services or a
TCP/IP connection. I will show how to set up a TCP/IP connection later.
The image to the right shows the Locational Services data from my iPad. Individual instruments can also
be selected here to display either digital or analog displays.
Here you can see the Heading(HDG) pop up showing the analog compass in addition to the digital heading
display. If an optional display is available a gray arrow will shown on the right of the digital display.
On the Instruments display, you will see a gear icon in the upper right corner of the display. Selecting this
will bring up a pop up window showing you the instrument settings.
You will see the complete list of available data and the ability to enable or disable the display of the
instrument. The data will only be displayed if the switch is toggled to "ON" and the device is receiving that
type of data through Locational Services or a TCP/IP connection.
The pop up window only shows a few of the many available instrument types available for display. Page
down to see the rest.
The instrument display can also be reached through the iNavX screen or viewed on the Chart display in the
instruments banner.
The instruments banner is a convenient way to view the data along with your real time position on the Chart
Display and the compass banner on the top of the display.
Tapping one of the instruments in the banner will bring up a pop up window showing the digital or analog
display of the value. A setting in the instruments display will allow you to set either analog or digital
instruments.
This feature is helpful to highlight the Depth instrument while you navigate a shallow area or bring up
Speed Over Ground (SOG) while you are racing in a regatta to maximize your performance.
One of the most powerful features of the Instruments package is the TCP/IP capability. In the Instruments
Settings pop up you will notice a gray TPC/IP button on the upper left side of the screen.
Select this for an additional TCP/IP settings window. The Host setting will be the IP address of the device
broadcasting the NMEA data. The Port number must match the port of the host TCP/IP server. In this case I
am using Franson GPS Gate software on my laptop with port number 20175. More on setting up GPS Gate
later.
The Bookmarks icon in the upper left corner brings up a list of previously used Hosts and Ports. This is
handy to save the most recent settings.
The Account button will allow you to log in to an Automatic Identification System (AIS) server if you have
subscribed to one. SiiTech is one popular site providing ship positioning using the Automatic Identification
System AIS data.
The Disconnect Alarm will warn you if the TCP/IP connection is lost. Enable Waypoints allows you to import
and navigate to active waypoints or routes of your NMEA data server or software. This feature will not work
with Locational Services. Turning the Locational Services selection ON will use the position, speed and
course of the device. You will see this data highlighted in yellow on the bottom display. All other NMEA
data coming from the TCP/IP connection will continue to be processed and shown in green.
iNavX can connect to a computer or a WiFi multiplexer with the TCP/IP settings to provide instrument data
to your iPad or iPhone. One simple way to connect to your on board laptop is through an adhoc connection.
Adhoc connections use the WiFi card in you laptop to connect the iNavX app.
Setting up an ad hoc network is fairly easy. For Windows 7 See below.
1. In Windows 7, open the Network and Sharing center by clicking the WiFi icon in your system tray.
2. Select Open Network and Sharing Center on the bottom of the pop up.
3. Select Setup a New Connection or Network
4. Select a Set up a Wireless ad hoc (Computer to Computer) network and select Next
5. You will be prompted to create a Network Name, Security Type and Security Key.
6. Click the Save Network box if you want to use it again at a later date.
7. Select Next and the network should show up in the list of available wireless connections.
8. Select the new connection and select Connect. It should say waiting for connections.
9. Go into iPad or iPhone Settings menu, under WiFi and you should see your new network listed
under Choose a Network. Select the network to connect.
The iNavX app will need the IP address of your computer. In Windows 7 it is found under the Network
Connections setting. Search for it in Help and Support if you cannot find it.
1. Open Network Connections. Use help to Help and Support to search for it if you can't find it.
2. Select the active network connection you created earlier, double click to bring up the status of this
connection.
3. Click Details. Your computer's IP address appears in the Value column, next to IPv4 address.
The iNavX website has several tutorials on connecting numerous types of software and WiFi hardware
devices. Please check these out for the device or software your connecting to. Many new devices are being
developed to provide NMEA WiFi data on boats.
In this test I used Franson GPS Gatesoftware on my laptop and a

USB connected GPS to provide data to the iNavX software. GPS Gate is fairly easy to set up
and broadcast any NMEA data you may have on your PC to the iNavX app. It also allows setting up virtual
com ports that let you connect to multiple pieces of software with one GPS source. Run the Setup
Wizard to find the Input data source. The Wizard located the com port that the GPS is connected to. In this
case it found it on COM5.
Select the Output tab in the GPS Gate software. Add the TCP/IP
address of the laptop here and select a port number. With the IP address and Port number put into the
GPS Gate program and the same IP address and port entered into the TCP/IP setting of the iNavX app we
should be ready to communicate.
Go back to the iPad and the iNavX app. Now select the Link button to turn the connection ON. Green
highlighted data will start streaming into the the black window on the display. Going back to the Instruments
page you will see under Connection (CON) that it now says TCP/IP. This will verify that the data is coming
from your laptop.
It takes a bit of work getting all the pieces put together to make the TCP/IP NMEA data work. Once you do
it is amazing to see that data streaming to the device. Not many other apps have the ability to do NMEA
data streaming to the level that iNavX does. Sit down and give it a try, if you have problems give me a
shout I would be glad to help.
46 comments:
1.
Na D.WhitneyFebruary 10, 2012 at 6:43 PM
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a
paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s
rare to see a nice blog like this one these days..
Pfeilring Cuticle Scissors, Nickel Plated, 9cm, .77-Ounce Package
1.
MarkFebruary 11, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Thanks for stopping by and your kind comments. My English teacher would be proud.
This is a standard layout customized with some of my graphics and style. Stop back soon!
~~~SailOn~~~
Mark
2.
AnonymousMarch 22, 2013 at 12:43 PM
My problem is that I cannot seem to download NOAA raster Region 10- USVI and Puerto Rico from
my iNavX app or from my Fugawi X-Traverse account. It's just not an option, much like in your
example above. Is there a way to import the chart for use in the app? I've downloaded the RNC files
from Noaa...
Thanks!
Thomas
MarkMarch 23, 2013 at 9:27 AM
If the USA East NOAA charts do not show up in the list, tap Add More Charts to Menu. Select NOAA
US Marine Raster Charts. Turn on USA East. Hit Save.
The Puerto Rico charts are available in the app under NOAA USA East. They are all the way at the
bottom of the list. I just downloaded chart 25671_1 which is West Coast of Puerto Rico. The USVI
are listed there also.
Hope that helps, stop back soon!
Mark
Reply
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AnonymousMay 25, 2013 at 7:39 PM
Hi, If I already own other raster charts used in windows could I not copy the files and use them on
the ipad. Is there a clear file directory where the charts are stored and used by the app that could be
taken or added the BSB and KAP files?
Reply
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MarkMay 27, 2013 at 6:35 PM
Anonymous,
I do not think you can use the raster charts on your computer. I am not sure what file structure
iNavX uses to store the files. I have not seen any discussion about this either.
It is kind of a pain to get an XTraverse account and pay the $10 bucks, but I think that is the only
way to get the charts.
Mark
Reply
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AnonymousJune 6, 2013 at 5:30 PM
I've been testing this app before my boat purchase. When I'm in chart mode and scrolling to the end
of a chart, is there a good way to load the next chart in the route?
Like google maps are not segmented by charts. Seems impractical to have the functionality of
digital and be limiting scroll to the chart you are on.
How are you going from chart to chart?
I don't know if while you are underway it automatically changes or not since I haven't been able to
test it.
Basically I'm creating routes on land.
Thanks
Reply
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MarkJune 8, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Anonymous,
If you are using just the free NOAA raster charts the app does not automatically go from chart to
chart. This is called chart quilting.
If you buy the Navionics charts through an X-Traverse account the vector charts will automatically
show the entire region that you purchased without having to select another chart. The vector charts
are very nice to read and navigate by. I would suggest buying the region that you plan to sail in
most of the time.
I purchased the 1XG USA & N. Bahamas set. It includes the entire US, Great Lakes and the
Bahamas.
Mark
Reply
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AnonymousJuly 23, 2013 at 1:52 PM
Mark,
I have an ipad 2 without true gps. If I add the Bad Elf gps device will it work fine with inavx?
Knighthawke2k
Reply
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AnonymousJuly 23, 2013 at 1:55 PM
DUH! I found it! I need to learn to read first and ask questions later.
Sorry bout that.
Knighthawke2k
Reply
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AnonymousSeptember 10, 2013 at 7:52 PM
Mark does this app work on 3g?
Reply
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1.
MarkSeptember 10, 2013 at 8:43 PM
It works on 3G and without any internet connections also. Charts are downloaded to the device so
it will work offline anywhere in the world. All you need is a GPS which most iPhones and 3&4G
iPads have.
Mark
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Do you prefer it over the Garmin Bluechart? Some of the reviews point out that you can't navigate
and get depth and wind on the inavx,i find that hard to be true after reading your reviews.
Tim
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MarkSeptember 14, 2013 at 8:18 AM
Tim
iNavX does allows you to navigate to waypoints and routes using the GOTO feature. It provides
bearing, distance and cross track error as you navigate to the desired waypoint or route. It can
even control your autopilot which Garmin BCM cannot. Check out this video on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7POAPsK-SY
The iNavX instrument package does allow you to display a vast array of NMEA instruments. More
than any other app. These can be sent to the iPhone or iPad using TCP/IP/UDP over WiFi. Garmin
does not allow display of WiFi data unless your connected to a Garmin Chartplotter.
Garmin BCM falls short of being a full blown navigation package. It only displays your position on
the charts. It allows you to create waypoints and routes but it does not navigate to the waypoints
and routes like iNavX does. It is more of a planning app.
Good Luck
Mark
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S SalloumNovember 30, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Hi your blog is very useful. I was wondering for autoroute application in south florida what do u
recommend. Thx
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Mark MesserliDecember 1, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Salloum,
iNavX has a great routing function. It is easy to create routes by selecting waypoints. You can then
follow them with autopilot control if needed.
Navionics HD USA for iPad is about the same price with less functionality. It does have an
autorouting feature that can be purchased for an additional 4.99.
Hope this helps.
Mark
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Hi
I live on the west coast in Vancouver bc canada so I need Canadas charts. It looks to me like I have
to pay 10 dollars per year for the xtraverse acct and 169 dollars per year for the chart I need??
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Mark MesserliMarch 30, 2014 at 8:26 AM
The Canada and SE Alaska charts for the iPad are $54.99.
https://www.x-traverse.com/product/TD-NAV-2XG-IP-2011.
You will need an xTraverse account to download the charts. The account allows you to save
waypoints and routes and backup your files.
Once you download the charts to your device they are yours. No need to buy again.
Mark
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Mike OstlerJuly 28, 2014 at 5:20 PM

Three years ago I purchased Canadian charts that now reside on my Mac Pro laptop. I also have the
CDs. How can I transfer these to my Ipad/Inav?
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Mark MesserliJuly 29, 2014 at 10:07 PM
Mike,
iNavX will not work with your purchased charts. You have to set up an account with xTraverse.com
and purchase charts through this website. There is no other way to get charts into iNavX.
SEAiq Open is an app that will accept a wide range of chart types including S-57, S-63, CM93, iENC,
BSB, and KAP. This developer allows charts to be uploaded and used in the app. Check out the
SEAiq Open app in iTunes. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/seaiq-open/id529514298?mt=8
Mark
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AnonymousAugust 4, 2014 at 12:20 PM
I am wondering, do I have to get an x-tracverse account or is that only of I want more charts?
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Mark MesserliAugust 9, 2014 at 3:24 PM

Yes, you will have to get an xTraverse account. iNavx does not allow downloading of chart any
other way. The NOAA raster charts are free to download. You will have to buy all other chart sets.
Have fun!
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AlexSeptember 16, 2014 at 10:40 PM
I was wondering if the iNavx will work without any internet connection? If yes how? Will the marine
gps be accurate?
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Mark MesserliSeptember 20, 2014 at 8:31 AM
Alex,
Yes iNavx works just fine without an Internet connection. It was designed for offline use. Your
device must have a GPS in it to work. Most iPhones and iPads with cellular service have a GPS in
them. If your iPad does not have cellular capability you will need a separate Bluetooth GPS device
to allow GPS tracking to work.
Mark
The weather and tides features do require an Internet connection to download data. All other
features work independent of the Internet.
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Paul ChanceDecember 7, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Mark, thank you for your review. About how big in MB/GB is the set of NOAA USA West or the CHS
for east/west coast Vancouver Island or the Navionics 2XG you referenced above? I'm new to the
iPad and don't want to overfill it.
I have downloaded the free NOAA USA West and now understand, because I am only interested in
the Puget Sound area (and Vancouver Island, BC), that I probably don't need many of the charts.
How do I delete them?
If I get the Navionics set, it will give me seamless (quilted) movement and I won't need any of those
NOAA charts (for the San Juans and Puget Sound south of there) at all - right?
What would be the visual difference between what I see with the Navionics vs what I would see
using the CHS charts? Or for that matter, Navionics vs NOAA?
Basically it would cost about $510 for a CHS set that covers the same area as the Navionics set. So
I'm wondering what I'm giving up - what would I be missing by (aside from spending a boatload of
money) if I didn't get the CHS charts?
Thank you for your time if you answer this. I know it isn't iNavX specifically, but I have purchased
the app and will be using it.
It looks like X-Traverse as dropped that $10 fee; at least for now.
Paul
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Mark MesserliDecember 8, 2014 at 8:07 PM

Paul,
Great to hear from you! I am not familiar with CHS charts but they seem very overpriced to me. I
would go with the Navionics set. I have them for the U.S. and the Bahamas. Very detailed, colorful
and full of information. You don't need to down load the full set all at once. You can just download
the charts you need for your area.
Full chart sets are 100 to 400 Mb. Individual charts are 10to20 Mbs.
Go with the Navionics, Garmin uses them too so they must be good!
Mark
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UnknownApril 4, 2016 at 1:10 PM
Paul --
I just renewed my CHS charts for Vancouver -- the CHS RM-PAC02 set covers all of Vancouver
Island East, and was $139.95 (Regular price is $149.95.) It's not necessary to buy the $500 set for
the Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound. I also noticed that the $10 x-Traverse fee seemed to be gone.
After using the NOAA raster charts for awhile, I also bought the Navionics Gold USA charts, which
covers Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, plus a lot of other areas. Wish I'd done it 3 years ago
-- amazing difference with the vector charts!
And, Mark, great site!
Cheers, Vic Owen
Kirkland, WA
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Vic OwenApril 5, 2016 at 10:46 AM
An update to yesterday's post...

I also bought the Navionics 2XG for Canada, to get the Vancouver Island area. Much more readable
than the CHS charts. And, I didn't realize it until I downloaded the Canada Navionics charts that
they cover all of Puget Sound & the San Juans, as well -- I didn't need the 1XG USA pack for the
PNW. My bad for not digging a little deeper!
Vic
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David CastilloDecember 29, 2014 at 9:47 PM
I don't see the Compass rose on the charts. Yet, the courses are in True and need to add or subtract
for variation since the language of the boat's compass is in magnetic. Your reply please.
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Mark MesserliJanuary 2, 2015 at 10:39 AM
David,
I am not sure what charts you are using in iNavX. There is a setting that can change your bearing
readings to Magnetic.
Select Instruments then select the gear/settings icon. The True Bearing setting will allow you to
switch between True and Magnetic settings. When the selection in on the True bearing will be
shown. When the setting is off the Magnetic bearing will be show.
There is also an option right below the True Bearings setting call compass deviation. I you know
the deviation for your area you could add it manually here.
Thanks for the question and spread the word about my blog to all your boating friends. Appreciate
your support.
Mark
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Graham BreezeSeptember 4, 2015 at 2:09 PM
Mark, I hope you can help as I too am a fan of i-navx. My issue is how to manage the power as the
ipad2 seems pretty hungry. At night I would like to leave i-navx running in the background so the
anchor alarm and tracking functions continue to function but the screen is turned off. If I use the
sleep button on the side the whole application seems to stop working. Do you have any
suggestions? Thanks, Graham
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Graham,
I would try a few things. Go into Settings on your iPad and look for the iNavX app icon. Here select
Location and set to Always. This will enable the GPS location services even if the app is running in
the back ground.
I found this on the iNavX website,
Anchor Alarm
The "Anchor Alarm" will trigger (audible and visual alert) if enabled and the position changes more
then the selected distance. "Test" can be selected to simulate the alarm. In order for the Anchor
Alarm to work, iNavX must be active (i.e. running) and have a good position fix (as indicated by
"HPE:" in the Instruments view). The Anchor Alarm perimeter is plotted on the chart. "AAD:" in the
Instruments view will display the amount of drift. Use the "Anchor" button to set the approximate
location of the anchor relative to your position. Make sure the Anchor Alarm perimeter distance is
greater then the distance to the anchor, otherwise the alarm will trigger immediately after enabling.
The "Scope" button can be used to get a recommended amount of anchor rode to deploy.
Anchor Alarm audio will repeat until "Cancel" button is selected or the Alarm view is dismissed
with "Save" button. To make sure the audio alert can be heard, confirm: The "Mute" button is not
turned on AND The Volume slider in the device "Settings" "General" "Sounds" "Ringer and Alerts"
is at maximum level. "Change with Buttons" can be enabled to allow the buttons on the side of the
device to control the volume level.
There are other Anchor alarm apps out there that may suit your needs better. Check out DragQueen
Anchor Alarm and Anchor are two that have more features. You will most likely have to keep your
iPad or iPhone plugged in to keep from running your battery down.
The Anchor app did alarm when the screen was powered down. I think that is what you were
looking for.
Mark
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RafaelOctober 9, 2015 at 4:45 PM
I just purchased iNavX and downloaded the NOAA Gulf of Mexico chart but can't get
coastal/intracoastal waterways depth nor navigational aids/markers...how can I or do I need to get
different charts?...I apologize for the simplistic question but I just can't figure it out...
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Mark MesserliOctober 11, 2015 at 4:05 PM
Rafael,
Is sound like you bought charts on x-Traverse but can't see them on your device. Read the last
section of the post I did above. You have to login with your x-Traverse account in the iNavX app and
enable the charts you want to see. Have you done this? Is so you should be able to see the charts
you selected. As you zoom in the makers and depths should show up. When you are zoomed out
the chart should have some red outlined boxes on it to show you the charts for the Gulf. If you
don't see the red outlined boxed you have not enable any charts to view.
Mark
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Hal SmithJanuary 17, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Sorry to be such a dolt. I'm ready to download INavx but am still foggy on downloading charts. Can
I go to NOAA for the free charts or do I go thru x-traverse? Can I price things before I open an
account? In your estimation is it to go with the paid charts vs NOAA for quality/quilting? Hal
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Mark MesserliJanuary 18, 2016 at 12:32 PM
Hal,
No, charts for iNavX can only be downloaded through the xTraverse site. I did a post about the
NOAA charts a while back,(http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/2014/05/ inavx-adds-noaa-raster-chart-
quilting.html). At that time they were free. It now looks like they cost $9.99(https://x-
traverse.com/product/TT-TILE-NOAA-RNC) This link takes you to the page to buy the charts. There
is a good description of how to download the charts there also.
Good luck.
Mark
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Hal,
There are many good tips, tricks, question and comment on this message board. The author of the
software GPXNavX is pretty active and will answer most questions.
Mark
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Here is the link to the message board.
http://www.macsailing.net/fbb/showforum.php?fid/23/
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HalMarch 11, 2016 at 12:05 AM
Mark, I mistakenly downloaded the Alaska charts not realizing they were not quilted. Now I have
hundreds of charts I want to delete but when I hit delete the title goes gray but are not gone. I want
to get the quilted charts. but I'd rather not hold all those charts in memory. Any solutions? Hal
Smith Thanks, Hal Smith.
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Hal,
Check this article out on MacSailing. Turning off a region does not delete the charts. Follow the
instruction on the link.
http://www.macsailing.net/fbb/showtopic.php?tid/1156/
Good luck
Mark
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Joel TrimbleMay 5, 2016 at 2:51 PM
Hello I am in northern Haiti and just downloaded the app for my 6plus , what chart do I need to
download for here?
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Mark MesserliMay 12, 2016 at 9:05 PM
Joel,
Great to hear from you! Charts can be downloaded from the xTraverse website for iNavX on the
iPhone. Check out this link to the Caribbean, Central and South America.
https://www.x-traverse.com/product/TD-NAV-3XG-MB.
Best of Luck! Sign up to become a follower and share the site with your friends.
Sail On!
Mark
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Claus JensenMay 29, 2016 at 9:45 AM
Hello Mark,
After the last update of iNavx I am no longer able to find the "Update" button that enable me to
update just the Charts that I have selected. Now it appears that my choices are limited to update
just 1 chart at the time OR all the charts in the region.
Where is the Update button hiding?
Thanks in advance...
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Mark MesserliMay 29, 2016 at 11:26 AM
Claus,
Thanks for the question. I will try to answer it. If not email the developer and they will help you out.
ios-support@inavx.com
Updating charts can be done for individual charts or chart sets. I assume you are talking about
Navionics charts sets and not the NOAA charts. From the iNavX charts menu select the chart set
you want to update. A list of all your charts will then show up. The top selection says Update Chart
List, this will delete all the charts on you device and then you will need to download new charts. If
your subscription has run out you will need to update that to activate your charts with the new
version
You can also select one chart to update. This will delete the chart and download the new chart.
If that does not work email the iNavX developers they will surely be glad to help you out.
Mark
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Claus JensenMay 29, 2016 at 12:22 PM
Thank you Mark for the quick reply.
I guess I was not very clear in my post, so this is what I sent to ios-support@inavx.com:
"
After the last update of iNavx I am no longer able to find the "Update" button that used to enable me
to update just the NOAA Charts that I have selected. Now it appears that my choices are limited to
update just one chart at the time OR all the charts in the Region I have selected (USA West)
I have an X-Traverse Account and I am trying to update from the NOAA US Marine Raster Chart
menu. The only option is the "Automatically Detect Available Charts" which lets me add other
regions that I do not use.
So - if for example I only use a subset of the charts in the USA West Region how do I update them
easily without getting the whole region. I know I can go thru the long list one by one, but surely
there must be an easier way. Where is the update button?
Thanks in advance...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ _/) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Claus,
I do not use the NOAA charts and was not aware the new version took away this feature. Thanks for
letting us know. I hope the iNavX developers will help you out. Let me know if they fix your issue.
Mark
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54 comments:
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Richard ThompsonMay 30, 2012 at 9:00 PM
why doesnt inavx offer the option of inputting waypoints in the common
hddd.mm.mmm format
like gpsnavx and other nav programs???
when you transfer your saved waypoints from gpsnavx to inavx it automatically rounds your saved
waypoint up or down, thus changing / adjusting your saved waypoint...
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Richard, Good question! GPSnavx is written by the same guy who wrote iNavx. The options for
iNavx can be founds here http://www.inavx.com/help/waypoints.htm
It might be that you have the wrong setting. Check your units setting under Preferences to make
sure you have it set to D.M.M.
If not there is a good message board at MacSailing.com
http://www.macsailing.net/fbb/showforum.php?fid/23/
You could ask the question. The developer is very reponsive and will answer your question.
Good luck!
Mark
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Bob FoeryJune 25, 2012 at 2:56 PM
Hi there. There are times when I'll want to "project a waypoint" by going a specific distance at a
particular heading. Is it possible to enter a waypoint by project it from a current position or another
waypoint?
Thanks very much!
Bob Foery (bob.foery@gmail.com)
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Bob,
Great to hear from you! Hope you enjoy the site.
Try tapping the screen twice to get into the measuring mode. A gray dot with a green dot inside will
appear. You can then drag your finger in the direction of your heading. The latitude, longitude and
heading show up in the blue bar on the top of the screen.
You can then manually create a waypoint with these coordinates. I hope this helps, give it a try and
see if it works for you.
Consider becoming a follower of the site to keep up to date. I appreciate your support by clicking
on a few Google adds in the right column.
Sail On!
Mark
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InspirationNovember 7, 2012 at 9:12 PM
Hi,
When I look at the new waypoint pop-up I do not see a position button. Do you know why it would
be missing.
Regards,
Shirley
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PeschiFebruary 20, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Is there a possibility to show only a few waypoints? In the settings, there is only the ability to show
the waypoints or not or with a route. But some waypoints are just marks with no relation to a route,
i. e. wracks, which I want to mark. But when I switch to show the waypoints, they will all be shown,
so that the chart is full of them. It would be nice to categorize the waypoints.
Do you know, what I mean?
Regards
Michael
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MarkFebruary 20, 2013 at 6:57 PM
Michael,
Welcome, I am not quite sure what you are talking about but I will give it a shot.
Waypoints are markers for a specific latitude and longitude location that you create. I think your are
talking about Nav aids or soundings.
There are several settings for waypoints. You can Show Waypoints as a title or icon, you can show
waypoints all/Route/or none. Show Route All/selected or none.
Other settings to declutter the screen include Show NavAids, Show light sectors, show soundings.
Turn some of these off to make the screen easier to read.
Become a follower of the blog to keep up on the latest posts.
Stop back soon.
Mark
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AnonymousApril 14, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Hi,
Love the app and don't go boating without it. Quick question - hwo do I get a 3-digit display on in
the DM.M format?
For example on my phone and boat GPS I get 40 53 056 , while on iNavx I only get 40 53 05
Thanks, bob
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MarkApril 16, 2013 at 6:01 PM
Anonymous,
The only setting I found for the lat/long are under the setting menu (gear icon in the upper right of
the screen)under units. Using my iPad, it appears there is only 1 decimal point for the DMS format.
There are 3 decimal points for the DMM format. If I use my iPhone there are only 2 decimal points
for the DMM format. Must be a space saving feature for the smaller format of the iPhone.
Mark
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JoeLenaJune 17, 2013 at 7:24 AM
I have a question perhaps you can help: When I am setting waypoints, or creating routes, after I add
something in a desired location the chart always reverts back to my current location. Then I have to
go back and find the location I am adding waypoints to. Happens everytime, very annoying. I
cannot see a way to stop this. I just want to stay at the location I am creating a waypoint/route for
and not have to scroll all around to get back.
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JoeLena
Welcome, hope you find the site interesting. To solve your problem tap the settings icon in the top
right of the screen. The first setting is for the Position Icon Location. Select None, this will stop the
location from changing back to your current location.
Good luck and become a follower of the site.

Mark
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AnonymousNovember 3, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Trying to preset waypoints by going to the Waypoint tab. But the Lat Long are filled in and will not
allow me change them. Lock waypoints is off. There is an ok button when I use the scroll Lat/Long
but it does not work. Pos Icon Loc is off.
When I start a new waypoint the waypoint if filled in with current location. When I touch the Lat or
Long it brings up the Lat/long scroll bar on the bottom. When I spin it to the correct Lat Long the
"OK" is not highlighted and does not work
any ideas?
Thank you
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Mark MesserliNovember 5, 2013 at 4:22 PM
That's an easy one! The OK and the Cancel are a scroll bar too. Just move the scroll bar to the ok
position and it will save the changes you made to the lat, long and name.
Some of these things are not obvious, thanks for the question and stop back soon.
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AnonymousNovember 6, 2013 at 7:56 AM
Oh Boy Bang head here!

Really enjoy your site!
Thank you!!
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SailorDecember 24, 2013 at 5:28 AM
hi I dont find a MOB button!?
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Mark MesserliDecember 25, 2013 at 8:46 AM
Sailor,
From what I gather it looks like Apple prevents apps from being relied on for life saving measures.
iNavX did not put an MOD button because it would be in violation of the developers agreement.
Apple Developer Program License Agreement:
◾3.3.8 For Applications that use location-based APIs, such Applications may not be designed or
marketed for automatic or autonmous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices;
dispatch or fleet management; or emergency or life saving purposes.
You basically can do the same thing as an MOB button by creating a waypoint of your current
position. Tap the GPS position icon. Then tap the GoTo option from the popup window. This will
take you back to this position to retrieve your crew member.
Chartplotter manufacturers do not have to deal with Apple so they are free to do what they want.
Merry Christmas!
Mark
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SailorDecember 25, 2013 at 10:46 AM
thank you mark! this is very strange and I don't know any marine navigation software without a
MOB button. but ok, I'll do it as you described!
merry x-mas
sailor
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Yes, it is kind of a round about way of doing it. I don't pretend to know all the hoops Apple make the
developers jump through, it must be a liability issue or something. I don't know of a chart plotting
app that has a MOD button on it. On the other hand as you pointed out MOB is standard on all
stand alone chart plotters.
Maybe the app developers could call the button something else like return to location (RTL) or
something like that to get around this limitation. Seem silly to me too.
Great to hear from you! Become a blog follower by clicking on the link on the right side of the
screen. The more the merrier.
Mark
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SailorDecember 27, 2013 at 5:21 PM
I also use the openCPN chart plotting app http://opencpn.org/ocpn/, it has a MOB button in the
menu bar.
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Sailor,
I have been following openCpn for years. It is a great program for Windows. They however do not
offer an app version that will run on an Apple iPad or an iPhone that I am aware of.
Mark
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Fast GrandadJanuary 7, 2014 at 4:25 PM
MOBA, available from the App store, is a standalone Man Over Board app which 'does what it says
on the tin'. It gives LAT/LONG, distance and bearing to point and time since button press. Just a
real shame it can't be an integrated part of one of the great navigation apps. Maybe Apple haven't
sussed what it does or have relaxed their policy.
I haven't used it yet but plan to have it running in the background when we go sailing in the spring.
Paul
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Paul,
I am familiar with MOBA and reviewed it last February. http://i-

marineapps.blogspot.com/2012/02/moba-man-overboard.html
If you read the iTunes page it advertises itself as a geo-location app. It simply returns you to a
marked GPS location. The author was smart enough not to mention it as a Man Overboard App. I
guess their are ways around Apples rules.
Mark
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Carlos FerraudiJanuary 26, 2014 at 5:26 PM
Hi Mark,
Is there a way to save the Google Image with the waypoint to have access to it off line?
Carlos,
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Carlos,
There is no way in iNavX to save the Google image. You could try exporting the waypoint and
opening it in Google some how.
How about taking a screen shot of it and save it in your photos.
Anyone else have any ideas? That is all I have.
Mark
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AnonymousFebruary 19, 2014 at 2:41 PM
Hi,
I'm trying to enter waypoints manually by lat/lon.
When using the add waypoint feature, I can enter name and desc, but the keyboard doesn't pop up
when I click the lat or lon filed.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
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Mark MesserliFebruary 22, 2014 at 1:45 PM
Anonymous,
The name and description are edited with the keyboard. The Lat and Lon are edited with your finger
on the screen spinner wheels. Go to Waypoints and select New Waypoint or an existing waypoint.
Tap you finger in the Lat or Lon box and you will see the value pop up on the bottom of the screen.
Place your finger on the degrees and move the spinner wheel selection up or down to change the
degrees. Next move to the minutes and do the same. The values are changed with your finger not
the keyboard. Once changed move over and select OK to save the settings.
Hope this helps.
Mark
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UnknownMarch 8, 2014 at 5:47 PM
Hi,
Great Blog! What are the main advantages of buying xtraverse charts vs the free NOAA Charts?
Thank you,
Greg
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Mark MesserliMarch 9, 2014 at 8:03 PM
Greg,
INavX offers free NOAA charts. These are ok but the vector charts offer many features beyond the
raster charts. The raster charts are not quilted so you have to select a new chart as you travel from
one area to another. Vector charts allow layers of information that can be displayed as you zoom
into on the chart. Vector charts can be zoomed in with no distortion. Items on the chart can
selected to reveal additional details about the item. Marinas, points of interest and warnings are
presented in detail. Water depths can be shown with different shadings along with depth
soundings.
I know people who like the raster charts because they look like the old paper charts that they used
for years. I prefer the added features and look of the vector charts myself.
It basically comes down to what you like personally. You can go to the Navionics site and view their
charts online to see if you like them better. http://www.navionics.com/en/webapp
I think once you try the vector charts you will like them.
Mark
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On chart for savu savu area of fiji, (50 navionics) soundings do not appear. How I can I get
soundings. Only in large scale Nakema creek do soundings appear. Also in vanuabalavu gps was .4
miles off. Is there any way to correct for this like in Cmap? Thanks for your help
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Most chart manufacturers are very responsive to customer request. If you have data that shows
that their charts or off I am sure they would want to know that. Contact Navionics through their
website and note the GPS accuracy problem. The sounding issue might be that they do not have
the data to produce the soundings.
Go to http://www.navionics.com/en/customers to submit your charts cartography problems for your

chart plotter or mobile app.
Mark
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AnonymousNovember 2, 2014 at 11:57 AM
Hello, and thanks for the very informative blog!
This is a VERY minor point, but when naming Waypoints, how many characters does the software
allow? My Garmin handheld unit allows 10 characters per name, I think, and many of them wind up
being confusingly abbreviated as a result. All the screenshots I've seen for iNavX seem to show
only 6 characters per name. (Maybe I'm looking at the wrong screenshots, or have missed this
information.) What is the max characters per name, please?
Thank you!
Jim
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Mark MesserliNovember 2, 2014 at 7:43 PM
Jim,
Welcome to the site! iNavX allows a whole lot of characters to define the name. I typed in 300 and
stopped there. When the Waypoint is displayed on the chart only 14 of those characters display in
the pop up box when you tap on the waypoint for more info.
I think most people abbreviate them so they don't take up a lot of space on the chart. It looks like
iNavX is pretty flexible to accommodate long names if you want them.
Stop back again soon. Share the site with your boating friends. Spread the love!
Mark
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AnonymousOctober 1, 2015 at 1:02 PM
How about punctuation, such as quotation marks, in the name of a waypoint? I'd like to mimic buoy
names, such as GR C "SB". Without quotations these look like gibberish.
Thanks!
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LeighdiveNovember 18, 2014 at 8:58 PM
Hi
I am after how many waypoints this app can store. My gps in my boat ran out at 3000. I have notice
most chart plotter apps have at most 1000. I want to get an ipad with a chart plotter app thats has
the most amount of waypoints possible. I notice it doesnt seem to be mentioned on most and is the
biggest issue for me as i use it for fishing and is easy to use thousonds of marks
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Mark MesserliNovember 22, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Leighdrive,
Welcome to the site. I am not aware of any limitation on the number of waypoints in iNavx. I found
in some of the forums a comment from the developer that there is no limitation on the number of
waypoints in a route. So I would guess their is no limit. I will continue to research, but I thinks it
could handle your 3000 easily.
Mark
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Paul ChanceDecember 7, 2014 at 7:42 PM
I tried to buy the MOBA app and it said it was incompatible with my iPad. I have a WiFi only iPad
and use a Bad Elf external GPS. I'm guessing the app author assumes that if you have a non-
cellular iPad that you don't have a GPS so his app wouldn't work. Or maybe it is incompatible with
the new iOS 8.1 as your mention of it was last January. Looks just like want a want, a "re-
geolocation finder" :) Any ideas on making it happy with my iPad Mini w/Retina + Bad Elf?
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Paul,
Welcome to the blog! Sorry, no cellular plan, no onboard GPS for your iPad. Send MOBA an email
requesting It to work with WIFI models. Sorry I couldn't help,
Mark
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boomerMay 29, 2015 at 11:13 AM
I need to be able to enter my own waypoints with a keyboard not the rotary
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Paul ChanceJuly 7, 2015 at 5:05 PM
You can edit the name and description fields with the keyboard (virtual or external) but you must
use the spinners - no demonstration - to enter the waypoints. That is not so bad if you can
approximate the waypoints on a chart. But if you are planning trip with 15 or 150 waypoints, that's a
lot if finger dragging.
My problem with the spinners is my data is in DD MM.MM and the last spinner is MMM so that's
about 1000 numbers. And it doesn't wrap around. So if you are on .725 and you need to spin to .040,
you have to spin all the way down from .725 to .040; you can't spin up passed .999 to get to .040.
I finally bit the bullet and brought up a chart. Then I created the way point with a tap, then another
tap to highlight it. Then I moved it with my finger, watching the Lat/Long display until it was close.
Then I tapped to bring up the window that allows editing, then I tapped the Edit option, and then I
played with the spinners - including spinning an Ok vs Cancel (though sometimes my figure with
spin that to the wrong choice and it fires automatically.
But I got'er done :)
Can I change the default waypoint icon so it comes up as Tent?
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Paul,
Great to hear from you! Sounds like your found a work around for you problem. All the apps work a
little differently. Some make waypoint entry easy and some it takes a few steps. Garmin BlueChart
Mobile is not may favorite app but it does have some features that other apps do not. I like the
Nexrad Radar especially.
Appreciate your comment and feedback. I hope you find the site useful. Share with all your friends
and check out the Google adds to support the site.
Mark
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Paul ChanceAugust 3, 2015 at 1:20 PM
Mark,
I discovered two issues on the Broughton trip. First, the Garmin BlueChart Chip didn't show many
of the land masses in the area - and I mean big island. We started at the Burdwood Group and my
waypoints only showed up as tent icons in open water.
The iNavX and Gaia apps on my iPad did show the islands (after carefully downloading charts of
the desired area before the trip), but - and I believe this is an iOS 8.x bug - when I'd turn the iPad off,
it would change the setting of BlueTooth - turning it off too. If BlueTooth was on when I turn the
iPad off, I expected it to be on when I turned the iPad back on.
That's important when using a bluetooth connected external GPS like Bad Elf. I don't recall what
iNavX reported when I "asked" it to show my position but Gaia said it was getting bad coordinates.
That lead me to believe the GPS was connected but messing up somehow. Bad Coordinates and No
Coordinates are two different things.
Neither app suggested, "The GPS is not connected" which would have lead me to check the
bluetooth setting sooner.
It's unfortunate that the "working" length of the iPad is 10 hrs or less. Just because of the charts
alone, I would replace my Garmin - demoting it to "backup". It was very disconcerting to see my
campsite waypoints "floating" on the water. But the charts in iNavX assured me they were, in fact,
on land. We stayed in the Burdwood group, the Fox Group and Mound Island before heading over
to Kaikash Creek and finally back to Alder Bay
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Paul,
That is unfortunate about your Garmin Plotter. Are you sure you have the latest chart updates for
it? Garmin gets its charts from Navionics which is the same supplier for iNavX. Hard to believe they
could be that different.
I have not had the Bluetooth issue that you mentioned. Usually Bluetooth will remain on when the
screen saver comes on. I totally powered mine down and the Bluetooth setting still showed it on. I
have to latest version of iOS.
It just goes to show you it is good to have a back up to verify things. Thanks for you comments.
Become a follower and share the site will all your sailing and boating friends.
Mark
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Paul ChanceAugust 12, 2015 at 7:04 PM
Mark,
The problem was with missing data on the BlueChart chip, not a Garmin Plotter (I was using a
GPSMap76CSx).
The BlueTooth problem occurs when the iPad is turned off - not when it goes to Standby. If you
have BlueTooth on (Settings) when you turn the iPad off, you must manually turn BlueTooth back
on when you turn iPad back on. It doesn't preserve its "ON" status.
I'm sorry I wasn't clear about those two points.
Paul
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AnonymousFebruary 27, 2016 at 6:43 PM
Mark just getting started. Bought INavX and choice to get charts appeared, so I tapped and
obtained all Alaska Charts. They are not quilted. (This also occurred without me going x-TRaverse!)
Not sure how to get to next chart to appear to plan routes. Will chart automatically appear when I
am on a trip? Also I cannot find a compass or intsrument banner on top of chart.Hal Also not sure
what the "Comment as" means.
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Great to hear from you! Check out my post back in 2014 about getting the quilted charts. http://i-
marineapps.blogspot.com/2014/05/inavx-adds-noaa-raster-chart-quilting.html
Good Luck!
Mark
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Anonymous,
To get the instruments and compass bar, go to the top left of the screen and you will see a blue
plus sign (+) and an arrow, tap the arrow to toggle the instruments and compass bar on and off.
Thanks for the question. Share my site with your friends and become a follower.
Mark
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What does the red dot on the compass banner indicate?

Thanks,
Lionel
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When you are in navigate mode such as navigating to a route or to a waypoint, the red dot shows
you the compass heading to maintain to reach your destination.
Mark
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HalMarch 17, 2016 at 10:50 PM
Thanks for previous tips. I find in setting waypoints by tapping I end up with undesired waypoints
because the screen thinks I'm tapping when I'm scrolling. Is there a sensitivity setting? Also I have
the cellular model and "location" is enabled but it is not picking my location.
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Hal,
All iPad cellular (3G/4G) models have an assisted-GPS receiver that works independently of a
cellular phone company subscription or Wi-Fi service login. iNavX can receive the GPS positioning
data and show you where your boat is in real-time on a chart.
On your iOS device main screen, tap Settings app, then select Privacy, Location Services. Make
sure Location Services is set to ON for both the iOS device in general, and for the iNavX app in
particular. With Location Services enabled, the iNavX app is able to present your present position
on a chart based on any incoming GPS data from any compatible source.
Make sure to share the site with your friends and click on a few adds to help me pay the bills. Much
appreciated for you support.
Good Luck!
Mark
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UnknownMay 3, 2016 at 1:08 PM
Hi there- As stated above, outstanding blog. I am trying to get the blue bar to appear when I double
tap the screen and "project" a distance. It used to appear but now does not. Any advice?
Many Thanks,
Bryan
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Mark MesserliMay 12, 2016 at 9:14 PM
Bryan,
This a known issue and iNavX just released version version 4.7.4.
Among other things, it "fixes distance measurement tool display".
Update the app and you should be good to go!
Mark
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UnknownOctober 23, 2016 at 2:05 PM
Hi, we are participating in offshore races where we need to ensure we don't stray into defined
exclusion zones (e.g. we must stay 15nm away from a given coastline). Is there a simple way to plot
points and join them with a line, to give a visual on the chart of the exclusion area?
Thank you.
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Mark MesserliOctober 29, 2016 at 8:08 PM
Thanks for stopping by the site and the question. Please become a follower to keep up to date on
all my posts.
iNavX had a bearing and measurement tool. Tap twice on the screen some distance offshore to
enable this. Put the tip of your finger on the green dot and start dragging it to the shoreline, a
second red dot will apppear. Place the red dot on shore. Look at the top of the screen to see the
distance. You can adjust the green dot to be 15 miles offshore. Note where this point is. Go back
and tap once on the screen to create a waypoint. You can hold your finger on the waypoint to adjust
its positon. Place other waypoints along the shore and check them with the measuring tool as you
go. This is kind of a crude way to do it but it is the only way I know how. Once you have it set up the
waypoints shold stay visible on your chart.
Hope this helps!
Mark
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36 comments:
1.
DonnyPMarch 26, 2012 at 6:03 PM
Hi Mark,
Great info and great layout of your blog!! I have the Navionics App, but am frustrated with its limted
capibility and especially no track-up feature. I really like when I plan a route it will tell me total fuel
based on pre-set boat cruise speed and fuel burn. Does iNavx have something like this? Thx-Donny
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MarkMarch 26, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Donny,
Thanks for checking out the blog and I am glad you find it helpful. iNavX does not have a fuel burn
estimator, but it will display your actual fuel rate and fuel level if you have that instrument on board
connected to a NMEA 2000 network. It has a NMEA 2000 display point for FLR which is the Fuel
Rate datum.
I like both of the apps. Navionics is quick and easy to use while iNavX is a little more involved in
getting set up if you need the advanced features. It all depends what your using it for.
Stop back soon, more great apps are on the way!
~~~SailOn~~~
Mark
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SV-AquadesiacMarch 31, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Hi Mark,
Nice tutorial. It is easy to read and the screen shots are very helpful. My Admiral (Wife) and I are out
cruising. We've been out for 2 and a half years now. We love using the iPad as the cockpit chart
plotter. We are also using the Navionics app and like it but we really need to see the AIS output on
the iPad. Also I would like to be able to share the routs between MacENC and iNavX without and
internet connection. Where we cruise an internet connection is a luxury and usually found only in
port. Often, because of weather I need to modify the route underway. Is there a way using and ad-
hock WiFi setup?
Thanks in advance.
Salty Doug Simms
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MarkApril 4, 2012 at 10:04 AM

Doug,
Great to hear from you and nice to see your living the dream. Alot of people say that the iPad is not
ready for the primetime cruising environment. I would like to hear more about how you use it and
keep it charged. Do you have a special case or enclosure to keep it dry?
Do you want to display AIS data in iNavX? That is done by setting up an ad-hock network with your
computer. You will first need your computer connected to your boats network.
Your question is a good one, that would be a nice feature to have. I am not familiar with MacENC so
I am not sure if you can transfer files between iNavX and MacENC. I will do a little research and see
if I can come up with an answer.
Keep in touch and stop back soon.
Mark
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MarkApril 4, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Doug,
Found a post on the macsailing forum discussing this issue. Looks like there is no way to transfer
routes back to MacENC without X-Traverse and the internet. Transfering from MacENC to iNavX
using the TCP/IP is explained here.
http://www.gpsnavx.com/iNavX/help/macenc.htm
Hope this helps.
Mark
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SV-AquadesiacApril 4, 2012 at 4:34 PM
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the quick replies. I did see the instructions for MacENC after I posted to your blog. I will
probably make changes on the Mac then upload them to the GPS and iPad. Although, if there are
rough seas I would rather not go below for very long, if you know what I mean.
To answer your questions:
I have a RAM mount in the cockpit that will hold an iPad with a water proof cover. However, the
cover does not allow for a power connection and the iPad requires power when the display is on all
the time so I haven't use the cover since Nov. 2011.
I purchased the 3G iPad which has the GPS built-in. (It is not clear from the Apple website that the
WiFI version does NOT come with a GPS.)
It works very well as a cockpit chart plotter. It is mounted under the dodger so it is visible during
the day on full brightness and with it dimmed all the way down it is useable at night. I would prefer
a dimmer screen when there is no moon.
I am using the Navionics program & charts and using the squeeze-spread gestures for zooming and
a finger for panning so it is much easer to use than any other chart plotter made.
ONE last question:
I do hope iNavX uses the squeeze-spread gestures for zooming and a finger for panning. Is that
true?
Best.
Salty Doug
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Doug,
Thanks for the info on using the iPad for cruising. I find more and more people are using it to
replace not only their chart plotter but many other devices on board like laptops, cameras and
instrument displays. For the price, you could go through several iPads and still be money ahead.
I have the 3G iPad 2 and purchased it for the internal GPS also. Works great with alot of navigation
programs.
iNavX does use multi-touch gestures as you described. It has all of the Navionics functionality and
more. Where are you guys cruising?
~~~Sail On~~~
Mark
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CJJuly 9, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Hi- Is there a trick to turning on the ipad/iphone gps while the 3g, 4g, and wifi is turned off? My old
iphone would drain the battery trying to connect, if you left the 3g turned on away from shore. Sail
fast! Live slow! Thanks. best regards, -chris
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MarkJuly 11, 2012 at 4:27 PM
Chris,
Great to hear from you! Hope you enjoy the blog. Become a follower to keep up on all the new great
apps. Support the site by checking out some of the great Google adds.
The iPhone and iPad 3 and 4G models have a GPS that can operate independently of the WiFi and
Cell data services. It runs through locational services. The WiFi and celluar connections only help
the GPS find a location quicker. Apple calls this assisted GPS. The GPS will work with WiFi and
cellular data connections off.
Go to Settings/WiFi and turn it off. Go to Settings/General/Network and turn off your cellular
connection.
I checked it out with many of my GPS apps and the still all work fine. Give it a try.
Hopes this helps
Mark
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Chris,
I think I understand your question better. Turning off WiFi and cellular data does not turn off the
cellular connection. The only way to do that that I know of is turn Airplane mode on. That kills
everything. With Airplane mode turned off you can turn WiFi back on which seems to enable
locational services and the internal GPS. I turned my WiFi router off and my apps seemed to give
coordinates in this mode.
Check it out and let me know.

Mark
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HermanJuly 15, 2012 at 6:23 AM
Turning airplane mode on is also necesarry if you want to connect to an external bluetooth gps
which you can place in the cockpit.
Steps:
1. Turn airplane mode on
2. Turn external bluetooth gps on
3. Turn blutooth on ipad on
4. Turn wifi on
Kr Herman
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shimspaceJuly 29, 2012 at 8:44 PM
Mark:
Relatively new to boating, and live in coastal CT. I have an 18' center console and enjoy trips up &
down the coast (Westerly, RI, from Mystic, CT, etc.). There are many rocks/ shoals to look out for
and have been looking for a reason to purchase an iPad besides web-surfing & e-mail checking.
Which software do you recommend for relatively simple GPS/ Nav for power boating? Navionics for
iNavX? Also, which signal if I'm moving fast (Cell, wi-fi, or 3G) would provide me with the most
reliable real-time satellite feedback? I was considering the Garmin 541s, but would love the double-
duty of the iPad. Thoughts? Thank you.
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Sfour SohaSlokiAugust 3, 2012 at 8:01 AM
Try flytomap for 2 reasons:
1. Great Price
2. Their webviewer(viewer.flytomap.com to check before you buy)
I used navionics which is good but expensive.
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Shimspace,
Navionics and iNavX are both great apps. I think you will find Navionics easier to download and get
started. iNavX has a greater variety of maps for download from their Xtraverse site. The price is
about the same for either app on the iPad.
Navionics has a crowd source feature that allows other users to post local knowledge on
navigation obstructions and points of interest
iNavX's strength is in the NMEA data and instrument display. I like the way they handle waypoints
and routes better too. They both use the same charts so no comparison there.
If you are out on the water you will only be able to connect to the internet with a cellular
connection. I you have an iPhone no problem. If you are buying an iPad make sure you bet the 3G
or 4G model. These will have the GPS chip for navigation. You do not need a cellular connection to
use Navionics or iNavX mapping and GPS functions. They use the locational services feature that
accesses the GPS chip of the device. If a cellular connection is available it will improve the
accuracy of the app.
Both apps are great, you won't be disappointed with either one.
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Tradewind25August 13, 2012 at 8:32 AM
Just used iNavX for the first time "in anger" during a three week cruise around the Hebrides (West
coast of Scotland). I had hoped to record my track over the whole voyage (ideally in medium
quality) but soon fell foul of the 250 mile limit. Apart from switching to low quality, is there any way
that the software can be configured to hold more track data? (I have many gigs of free space on my
iPad so I can afford to record lots more data than at present.)
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MarkAugust 14, 2012 at 8:30 AM
Tradewind25,
The longest setting is 500 miles in the present software. Switch to the low setting to get 500 miles.
Any other change would have to be requested of the app developer.
Ideally you should break it up into shorter legs recorded with separate track files. Why do you need
it all in one track?
Mark
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Bashar DahabraAugust 16, 2012 at 7:42 PM
Hello Mark,
I am planning my next Bareboat charter in Gocek, Turkey using the iNavX. I am currently in Amman,
Jordan.
Whilst in the Chart Mode and setting up WayPoints, the Chart keep re centering itself on Amman,
Jordan. Is there any way to disable this re centering feature and continue to work on the Turkish
Coast Line even though I am positioned in Amman, Jordan ?
Thanks
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SV-AquadesiacAugust 16, 2012 at 11:57 PM
Hi Bashar,
I think there is a setting (button with the gear) in either the Charts screen or the Instruments screen
that controls the View Centered on Boat. I looked in the tutorial and the settings pages are not up to
date.
If you can't find the control, you could go to the the iPad Settings and disable Location Services
while you are entering your Waypoints & Routes. (Double clicking the iPad's Home button switches
between applications.)
Best.
Salty Doug
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SV-AquadesiacAugust 17, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Hi Mark,
In the Tutorial, the setting page screen shots are the same for Instruments and Charts. Are these
screen shots up to date?
Best.
Salty Doug
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MarkAugust 17, 2012 at 8:25 AM
Doug,
Thanks for stopping back with the question. I have some screen shots of the instruments and
charts settings in Part 2 of the tutorial, Chart Display and Wayponts. Screen shot 2 shows the
instruments setting and screen shot 3 shows the charts settings.
http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/2012/02/inavx-part-2-chart-display-and.html
These are two separate settings pages that can be reached using the Gear icon in the upper right of
the screen. When you are viewing the chart page hit the gear icon to view the chart settings. When
you are viewing instruments hit the gear icon for instrument settings.
Hope that helps
Sail On!
Mark
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Jeff BechtelApril 11, 2013 at 8:52 PM
If you want to browse the chart without inavx constantly returning to your current position (living
room), is it as simple as turning off the GPS?
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AnonymousAugust 26, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Hi Mark,
I have acquired an Ipad and navx, on recommendation of Practical Sailor's articles, to plan a trip to
the Bahamas this winter, (Outside - Long Island, NY to Norfolk then ICW to Key Largo). I have
successfully created waypoints and routes. However, when reviewing them I have difficulty when a
route moves off one chart and onto another. At times I can click the edge of the chart and call up
the adjacent chart and at times I click and do not get a link to the next chart. What's the trick?
Thanks,
Ralph
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MarkAugust 30, 2013 at 4:13 PM
Ralf,
I have had others complain about the iNavX NOAA charts not being seamless. I only use vector
charts when I use iNavX so I have not seen this problem. I would contact the developer or email
them to see if there is a fix in the works.
iNavX is a great choice. But not all apps are perfect. I suggest bugging the developer to get the
change made. If enough people complain things usually get done. The old squeaky wheel gets the
grease saying.
Mark
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dshepherd2September 15, 2013 at 7:52 AM
You mention Tracks, but not how to activate them on the chart. Can you please elaborate?
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MarkSeptember 15, 2013 at 11:18 AM
dshepard2,
Select the Tracking menu option on the bottom of the screen. Start tracking by selecting a Hi,Med
or Low option. Stop tracking by selecting OFF. Your tracking points will be listed at the bottom of
the screen. Select a tracking point from the list that you want to see and a pop up box will display
the tracking data with Date, time Lat/Lon, COG, SOG HDG, distance, average speed and elapse
time. To display the track on the chart select he curved arrow icon in the top left of the tracking pop
up. If you have moved a fair distance while recording your track it will show up on the chart as a
dashed line. If you did not move it will only show the waypoint of where you started tracking.
Hope this helps. Consider becoming a follower of the blog to help support the site.
Sail On
Mark
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AnonymousSeptember 20, 2013 at 1:07 AM
As Mark pointed earlier in this thread, "iNavX's strength is in the NMEA data and instrument
display." I have been scouring the web for information on iNavX instrumentation (specifically
boat/tracking speed). It looks as if you need a TCP/IP connection to get the correct NMEA data
which, by all accounts, would require you to have a WIFI system in place (via a laptop or WIFI
multiplexer on board). Is there a way to get the NMEA data to run these instruments with only an
iPhone...possibly utilizing 3G/4G connection? In short...is there a work-around to the onboard WIFI
situation?
Running a small fishing vessel in NYC area (always in cell range)
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MarkSeptember 25, 2013 at 8:04 PM
Anonymous,
Thanks for your comments and question. The only way to get NMEA data from your boats
instruments to an iPhone or iPad is via a multiplexer and a WiFI network or from a laptop with an
AdHoc WiFi connection. I do not know of any work around at this point.
If no WiFi is available the iNavX app will use the iPhone or iPad's GPS and locational services to
provide speed, course heading, altitude, latitude and longitude. A 3/4G connection is not even
needed to do this. If you view the instruments bar in the iNavX it will show the CON: as Loc.Mgr.
This is showing that WiFi is not connected and the app is using locational services. If you have
WiFi and TCP/IP connected it will show TCP/IP in the CON: window.
The way it stands now, if you want to display data from your ships instruments you will have to
invest in a WiFi and possibly a multiplexer setup. I talk a little more about some of the NMEA to WiFI
options in this blog post.
http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/2013/02/marine-data-to-wifi.html
Good luck, and thank for commenting. Become a follower of the site by selecting the Join this Site
icon in the right column above.
Mark
Reply
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carnelianJuly 28, 2014 at 5:23 PM
Hi - I see that you state that Background Recording of tracks can eat up the battery fast. Can there
be a little more detail on this? For an iPhone 5S, would it kill the battery in 1 hour? 4 hours? More?
It would be very helpful to know this.
Thanks
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Corneian,
The battery drain problem happens with the use of any of these GPS tracking apps. I have sailed up
to 3-4 hours and have still had about 50% battery left. If you are going long distances you will need
a charging source to keep your device working.
Some of these apps will continue to run in the background and will drain your battery if you don't
pay attention to the usage.
Mark
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AnonymousFebruary 2, 2015 at 3:57 AM
For any free conversion tools to make gpx to kml and vice versa, I suggest trying this one
http://gpx2kml.com/ which can offer fast conversion, with no need to install the software program.
Reply
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goyoricoFebruary 17, 2015 at 6:09 AM
Apologies if this is a duplicate, as log-in failed half way
Great blog and information, very helpful as I learn to use the iNavX
When cruising, the chart is always oriented north up. I'd prefer it oriented to my direction of travel,
is there a setting that I can change to enable this capability?
Thanks
greg
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Greg,
There is a circle icon with an arrow in it at the bottom of the chart display. When it show a green
outer circle it is North up. Tap it once and it should change to Blue and follow your direction on the
chart. Thanks for the question. Make sure to to become a follower of the blog and share it with your
friends.
Mark
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John SiegelMarch 23, 2017 at 8:26 PM
I like the app alot. However, I'm having difficulties editing a route. I can add waypoints and
rearrange them. But, for the life of me, I'm unable to delete them from the route page. The edit
button does nothing.
Reply
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BebsMay 23, 2017 at 3:39 PM
Hi I'm using iNavx on iPad and I'm very happy with!
However there are some functions I do not find there: Setting up my Course to Steer taking into
consideration the info from the almanach such as currents and tides. Is that possible?
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Bebs,
If you set up a waypoint to navigate to, the app will automatically calculated the course to steer.
Select the
Go To button and the app will calculate the course. It will also provide you the bearing and
crosstrack error due to wind and currents. As long as you steer to the course you will get to your
waypoint.
Hope this helps!
Sail On /)
Mark
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Emily BrianApril 16, 2018 at 1:18 PM
Helpful information. Lucky me I discovered your web site accidentally, and I am surprised why this
accident did not came about earlier! I bookmarked it.
Click here : Used Track Excavators
81.
20 comments:
1.
Indian Surgical IndustriesFebruary 15, 2012 at 2:11 AM
Hi there. Nice blog. You have shared useful information. Keep up the good work! This blog is really
interesting and gives good details. instrument tray, Autoclaves.
Reply
2.
turbojoe78May 9, 2012 at 8:24 PM
Mark, Do you know if the Navonics gold charts purchased through x-traverse and used with the
iNavX app on a ipad 3 wi-fi only will work with a seperate bluetooth GPS receiver like the GNS 5870
MFI BlueTooth Receiver?
Thanks
Joe C
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Joe,
I wrote about this device in my blog here. http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/p/gps-for-itouch-or-

ipad.html
They claim it will work with any Apple device.
I have no experience with the new iPad, but I see no reason it would be any different.
I have heard good things about the Dual XGPS BlueTooth receiver also. I have a short write up
about it on that same page.
Good luck!
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Joe,
The iNavX site http://www.inavx.com/ has a list of external GPS units that it is compatible with. Page
down the website to the Questions and Answer section.
Mark
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coxjamApril 13, 2013 at 10:24 AM
I purchased a Bad Elf GPS that plugs directly into my iPad 1 device. Will the iNavX app on my iPad
automatically recognize this and translate that information on the "instruments" tab?
Reply
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Coxjam,
Yes iNavx is compatible with the bad elf device. See the bad elf site.
http://bad-elf.com/compatible-apps/
The iNavX site also lists it as compatible too. http://inavx.com/
Mark
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Alex DonJune 15, 2013 at 9:25 AM
what a fabulous tip - thanks so much!
boat anchors
marine anchors
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Koen van GilsJuly 23, 2014 at 7:56 AM
Thanks for all great info on your blog.
It is clear that all of your NMEA data can be made available and integrated with iPad navigational
apps. What I still cannot find out is whether it will also work the other way around: If you connect
your iPad over Wifi to your NMEA network
- Can then you use your iPad GPS as the primary GPS (will the iPad feed its GPS data to the NMEA
system and will that be correctly interpreted)?
- Can you use your navigation app (ie InavX or Navionics) to send routing data to your NMEA
autopilot?
thx Koen (using an autohelm 4000 pilot with a Raymarine ST290 instrument system)
Reply
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Koen,
Welcome to the site, great to hear from you!
There are a few apps that can control autopilots. iNavX and NavePlay are the two that I know of.
Navionics will not. Check out this video on iNavX running an autopilot.
http://www.tmmarineelectronics.com/TME/Movie3.html.
Here is the Instrument page from the iNavX user manual. Selecting the AP(auto pilot repeat) button
will send NMEA to your autopilot.
Here is my review of NavPlay. http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/2014/04/navplay.html
iNavX and SEAiq can both act as a NMEA server and broadcast data to other devices. Check out
this link to see the SEAiq NMEA and AIS section of the users manual.
http://doc.seaiq.com/NMEAHelp.html
These apps are getting more features all the time. Become a follower by clicking on the link in the
right column to stay up on the latest developments.
Sail On!
Mark
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michael geeJanuary 13, 2015 at 3:26 AM
Hi
I use inavx with digital yacht soon to vesper marine . With navonics whilst cruising Philippines
Borneo and Thailand on iPad 2. Find it great a couple of things I am having problems with when I
load gribs i lose the top information bar. Also I don't seem to be able to get the ETA for the total
route ..maybe it is not a feature. The features I like is the ability to put in notes on the waypoints
especially the end of the route and photos from Google earth
Reply
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Matthew BrownSeptember 22, 2015 at 7:31 PM
What are some good options for a NMEA0183 to wifi to connect the autopilot and displays on the
iPad iNavx app? I was reading that connecting too many things will cause some wifi multiplexers to
scramble the data and it might not work correctly.
I would like to connect my macbook at the nav station below and use the ipad at the helm. although
the iPad would be very mobile and could be used below deck also. I am just looking to plot on the
laptop and mirror or repeat everything to the iPad and vise-versa if possible. I hope you understand
what I am trying to communicate..
A USB connection could be another option for the macbook but not for the iPad.
Reply
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Mark MesserliSeptember 24, 2015 at 8:26 PM
Matt,
Great to hear from you! Marine data to WiFi is a popular topic. I wrote a post a while back about all
the multiplexers some connected by USB and some to WiFi. Check out my post.
http://i-marineapps.blogspot.com/2013/02/marine-data-to-wifi.html
Brookhouse has been around for quite a while making multiplexers to WiFi. Digital Yacht and
ShipModul are a few others. Another one I ran across recently is DMK Yacht which has Seatalk,
NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 to WiFi. Actisense has many multiplexers to NMEA and USB also.
There are many options out there. I would start with those first.
Let me know what you end up buying.
Sail On
Mark
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dingoDecember 13, 2016 at 4:09 AM
Hi,
I have a iPad Pro 12 inch (with no inbuilt gps) with inavx installed I am trying to connect a Trimble
R1 GNSS receiver GPS unit. The unit connects no problem with bluetooth, but I'm having problems
with Inavx interacting with it, is there some configuring i need to do under tcp/ip or nmea in order
for it to use the unit.
Help appreciated..
http://www.trimble.com/mappingGIS/R1-GNSS-Receiver.aspx
Thanks
Harry
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Dingo,
The iNavX site has a list of compatible GPS units that will work. Below is a quote from the iNavX
site listing the devices that they say are compatible.
"We support the Bad Elf GPS, the Dual XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS / Dual XGPS170
Universal Bluetooth GPS, the Garmin GLO, and the Magellan ToughCase"
Others may be listed in the MacSailing site.
http://www.macsailing.net/fbb/showtopic.php?tid/1440/
One other thing you could try is to go to the Instruments page and click the TCP/IP icon in the
upper left of the screen. In th lower section of the Host page is a setting called Location Services.
Try toggling this on and off to see if it makes a difference. If Locational Services is on it will try to
use the iPads internal GPS.
Hope this helps, become a follower and share the blog with your friends.
Mark
Reply
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dingoDecember 26, 2016 at 7:22 AM
Thanks for the reply Mark, the Trimble R1 is fully compatible with the iPad Pro (non cellular) maybe
not so with INavx, I've tried a number of things, turning off airplane mode and wifi, bluetooth on,
toggling location services off and on. With approved GPS units does the name appear in the
location services when it recognises or is using the device connected?.. I have got a lat & long
reading just not exactly sure it is coming from the the device in question.
Thanks again for your help and Happy New Year..
Harry
Reply
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Tony ThompsonAugust 12, 2017 at 1:30 PM
Hi Mark, this is a bit of a twist on a previous question. I have a Garmin NMEA2k system which does
not have its own GpS. I was hoping that the garmin glo which is sending data to the Ipad and
subsequently to the vYacht wireless router would also send the data to the nmea2k system. I can
see this data transmitted as 0183 data but none of the 2k instruments pick up COG or any of the
GPS related information. Do you know if the GPS information picked up by iNavX is transmitted to
an NMEA 2k system or is that a one way street. pS all of the NMEA2k data shows up on the ipad.
Thanks Tony
Reply
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Mark MesserliSeptember 12, 2017 at 7:29 PM
Tony,
I don't think iNavX will forward your NMEA 0183 GPS data onto a NMEA2K network. The NMEA2K
would not know how to read the NEMA0183 sentences. The protocols are very different.
Sorry I was not much help!
Mark
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Tony ThompsonSeptember 19, 2017 at 10:20 AM
Thanks Mark, I found that I could send 0183 data to one of the Garmin displays through an
alternative plug but it seems it would have been better to have a NMEA 2000 GPS that could send
the info back to the IPAD rather than the other way around.
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Dennis SchmelzerMarch 20, 2018 at 1:57 AM

Hi,
Whe will the TCP/IP function be available on the android version?
Reply
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1.
Dennis,
I was not able to find anything about a release date for the TCP/IP update. The iNavx website says it
is in the works. Contact them directly for an update. At least they finally released an Android
version.
Sail On
Mark
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34.

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iNavX Tutorial

1. iNavX - Getting Started

2. iNavX - Charts and Waypoints

3. iNavX - Routes and Tracks

4. iNavX - Instruments and NMEA Data

iNavX - Getting Started

Lets re-visit some of the features of this great app:

• All NOAA RNC marine charts free to download.

Let get started using this great app.

There are three indications at the top of the chart display.

Next time I will cover routes and tracks. Stay tuned!

iNavX Part 3: Routes and Tracks

Tracks are simply a digital recording of the path that

iNavX - Part 4 Instruments and NMEA Data

Setting up an ad hoc network is fairly easy. For Windows 7 See below.

In this test I used Franson GPS Gatesoftware on my laptop and a

Na D.WhitneyFebruary 10, 2012 at 6:43 PM

Pfeilring Cuticle Scissors, Nickel Plated, 9cm, .77-Ounce Package

MarkFebruary 11, 2012 at 12:20 PM

AnonymousMarch 22, 2013 at 12:43 PM

MarkMarch 23, 2013 at 9:27 AM

Hope that helps, stop back soon!

AnonymousMay 25, 2013 at 7:39 PM

MarkMay 27, 2013 at 6:35 PM

AnonymousJune 6, 2013 at 5:30 PM

How are you going from chart to chart?

Basically I'm creating routes on land.

MarkJune 8, 2013 at 8:26 PM

AnonymousJuly 23, 2013 at 1:52 PM

AnonymousJuly 23, 2013 at 1:55 PM

Sorry bout that.

AnonymousSeptember 10, 2013 at 7:52 PM

Mark does this app work on 3g?

AnonymousSeptember 10, 2013 at 10:25 PM

MarkSeptember 14, 2013 at 8:18 AM

S SalloumNovember 30, 2013 at 10:54 AM

Mark MesserliDecember 1, 2013 at 9:39 AM

Hope this helps.

AnonymousMarch 29, 2014 at 9:47 PM

Mark MesserliMarch 30, 2014 at 8:26 AM

Mike OstlerJuly 28, 2014 at 5:20 PM

Mark MesserliJuly 29, 2014 at 10:07 PM

AnonymousAugust 4, 2014 at 12:20 PM

Mark MesserliAugust 9, 2014 at 3:24 PM

AlexSeptember 16, 2014 at 10:40 PM

Mark MesserliSeptember 20, 2014 at 8:31 AM

Paul ChanceDecember 7, 2014 at 7:00 PM

Mark MesserliDecember 8, 2014 at 8:07 PM

UnknownApril 4, 2016 at 1:10 PM

And, Mark, great site!

Cheers, Vic Owen

Vic OwenApril 5, 2016 at 10:46 AM

An update to yesterday's post...

David CastilloDecember 29, 2014 at 9:47 PM

Mark MesserliJanuary 2, 2015 at 10:39 AM

Graham BreezeSeptember 4, 2015 at 2:09 PM

Mark MesserliSeptember 5, 2015 at 11:34 AM

I found this on the iNavX website,

RafaelOctober 9, 2015 at 4:45 PM

Mark MesserliOctober 11, 2015 at 4:05 PM

Hal SmithJanuary 17, 2016 at 3:10 PM

Mark MesserliJanuary 18, 2016 at 12:32 PM

Mark MesserliJanuary 18, 2016 at 12:36 PM

Mark MesserliJanuary 18, 2016 at 12:37 PM

~ _/) ~