Smart Phone GPS?

[HarleyK50]

I noticed on the gear thread that some of you are using the smart phone navionics app as a gps. How well does it work? Does it function without 3g coverage? Any other pros, or cons? I am quite interested to hear how this works!!

[Hardyboy]

I have it and it works very well. GPS has proven decently accurate. Once the app is downloaded then you can load the maps and they stay resident on your phone so you can use the app without cell coverage using just the stand alone GPS. You can either pick to have the navionics U.S or U.S./Canada. In my opinion its worth every penney and a few more. I also have the My Tracks app on the phone and between the 2 no longer use my handheld GPS. I still bring it as a backup. Let me know if you want to know more about it id be glad to help.

[HarleyK50]

Are Lake of the Woods, and Rainy lake/river included on the U.S. app? do you have to pay for each chart? is there anything you dont like about it?

[unotrouble2]

Best 20 bucks spent -- i went with us lakes north and yes it includes LOW. no additioanl cost -- the only gripe i have is the numbers for depth are small (i'm getting up there where i need cheater glasses - which i don't bring ice fishing - yet) maybe that's just my phone (I have the Incredible) -- you won't be dissapointed - i'm guessing you, like many will be done using your handheld devices after you get this loaded on your phone.

[fishwater]

Is there anything you dont like about it?

Best $10 any avid angler/boater could spend IMO.

[CAMAN]

is there anything you dont like about it?

Yeah, my phone doesn't have a hole for a lanyard!!

[Hardyboy]

Are Lake of the Woods, and Rainy lake/river included on the U.S. app? do you have to pay for each chart? is there anything you dont like about it?

The U.S. parts of it are included in the U.S. version. If you get the U.S./canada version it includes all of the continental U.S. as well as Canada, Alaska, Hawaii. Once you download the app all the maps are included you just download them and off you go. all the map data is stored to your phone and you dont need cell service to use it. it works with the stand alone GPS .

[fisherman-andy]

[rkpolaris]

the app works great, no need for the H20 anymore

[CJH]

the app works great, no need for the H20 anymore

Me too, just keep in the porty as a backup. Way easier to see on the cell screen that is about 50% bigger as well!!

[fishersofmen]

I bought a Droid mainly for the purpose of using Navionics lake maps. I haven't even hooked up phone service to the phone yet and may not because I like my old phone. I downloaded Navionics several weeks ago and have played around with it. Like others have said you can't go wrong for 10 bucks!!

[FrontenacPike]

I have both the Navionics App as well as the H2Oc. I have only tested the two units side by side on Lake Pepin. I found that on the river that the H2Oc depth was closer on the H2O. I'm not sure if my finding could be skewed being the river is always changing. Another thing I noticed is you can zoom in way closer on the H2O than the droid for pin point accuracy of your position.

One thing I have been messing around with is Google maps and saving locations. Once your location has been found, if you touch your icon marker an option box will come up. From there you will have the option to send your location to others. What I have been doing is selecting text message...title your spot (ex: "20ft, Jumbo Perch") and sending the text message to myself. In your text message you will have a running log of all your locations. The text messages latitude and longitude are linked to the navigation feature on your phone to get back to your favorite spot.

confused...sorry!!!

[Hardyboy]

Not quite, the new Navionics maps on smart phones are download by choice. Meaning its no longer stored on phone unless you choose to pre-load the area maps to save space. The iPhone version has done this for over a year and now just recently updates to Android version with same features. So if you have no access to wireless data make sure you preload the maps first before heading out.

Older Navionics Apps may no longer be available on your App Store to purchase but generally should be able to be re-downloaded even if you wipe your phone or accidently deleted from your purchased history.

[HarleyK50]

Thanks for all the info guys just made the purchase and without even being on the lake I am already impressed.