Navionics Boating App Aims to Delight Users with Free US Govt. Charts and Greatly Expanded New Functionality
Latest Version of Cartography Leader's Free App Includes Broad New Feature Set
Wareham, Mass. – Navionics, the leader in content and location-based services for the recreational boating and outdoor markets, provides the latest version of its award-winning app, Navionics Boating. Offering free government charts of the US and an expanded feature set that greatly enhances the boating experience, Navionics Boating allows users to record their tracks on the water, create routes, mark waypoints, check weather forecasts, share their data, and more—all at no additional cost. Available also in a free introductory version named Navionics Boating Intro, from the iTunes App Store for iPhone and iPad, and on Google Play for Android Handset and Tablet, the new Navionics Boating allows boaters to enjoy the app right from the start, as well as find, select and purchase award-winning Navionics charts and other advanced content. The best new app to enjoy the summer season, Navionics Boating is a category leader on both the Apple iTunes Store and Google Play.
Free US "Govt." Charts
The app is provided with free "Govt." charts – unaltered nautical charts published by official government sources that include NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) for US coastal and navigable waterways, plus additional shorelines of major lakes and rivers from other public sources. NOAA ENC® are vector data sets that conform to the International Hydrographic Office (IHO) S-57 standard. An incredible value, the Govt. charts feature primary navigational data such as depths, buoys, beacons, hazards, channel markers and more and ensure boaters have a ready-to-use tool as soon as they download the app. A worldwide basemap is also provided that can be enhanced by Map Overlay options for additional water, terrain and street detail.
Navionics+ Value-Added Subscription
A Navionics+ subscription by region offers Navionics Nautical Charts, SonarCharts™ and Community Edits with 12 months of chart updates. Nautical Charts are award-winning vector maps including dynamic tides & currents, nav aids, the largest database of POIs and more available for any region from the United States to every part of the world; SonarCharts™ is an HD bathymetry map featuring extraordinary bottom contour detail that reflects the ever-changing conditions of the sea, lakes and river bottoms; and Community Edits are inputs made by users and shared for all to benefit. Navionics+ can be purchased at a very reasonable price at any time, right from within the app, opening the door to a host of valuable features.
Powerful Tracking
Navionics Boating uses GPS to measure and record performance data. Perfect for tracking a high-paced regatta, a day's fishing excursion or a week-long vacation with the family, the improved functionality measures Speed, Trip Time, Course Over Ground (COG), Distance and more. Data is displayed in a new Tracking Console for quick reference and is fully customizable, allowing boaters to access the metrics that interest them most. Users can initiate tracking by touching the new start button directly on the home screen, pause the recording at any time, playback and review their track, and easily share details of their journey.
Expanded Routing
The app allows the user to plan and create routes, measure distances, mark waypoints, and save data across mobile devices. Wind forecasts include 3-day projections, helpful for planning. An included trial version of Nav Module allows users to access advanced data such as Estimated Time of Arrival, Distance to Arrival and more.
Sharing the Fun
Boaters can easily share more memories of their trips. Using the camera function within the app, photos and videos are automatically georeferenced while recording a trip. In addition, trip images, such as tracking screens or stats, can now also be shared with family and friends via Facebook, Twitter and email.
Integration with On-board Electronics
Navionics Boating now includes Plotter Sync, a new feature that allows individuals to connect their on-board electronics to Navionics servers on the Internet for uploading sonar log data and downloading new charts or updates while on their boat. Owners of Raymarine Wi-Fi enabled plotters – the first of Navionics manufacturer partners compatible with this technology – can now use Navionics Boating on their iPhone or iPad as a bridge for this connection, eliminating the need to remove the memory card from their plotter. Plotter Sync users can now contribute to, and benefit from, the most accurate charting available to boaters by sharing their fishfinder's recorded sonar tracks with Navionics for integration into SonarCharts™ and later downloading the updated charts.
Integration with SonarPhone App
For the first time, Navionics Boating users without chartplotters will have the convenience of viewing live sonar and charts on their iPhone or iPad within the same app. Through a new partnership with Vexilar, Navionics integrates their SonarPhone technology within the Navionics Boating app creating a very affordable wireless option for owners of small to mid-size boats and kayaks. At the same time, users will be able to wirelessly transfer sonar data captured by their SonarPhone T-Box hardware to Navionics servers for improved SonarCharts™, and reap the benefits of their efforts with updated SonarCharts™ after about one week.
"While we're serious about offering the very best cartography, we know how important it is that our app is easy to use and makes life better, even in some small way, for our customers." said Don Black, SVP, Navionics. "And that's the fun part that drives us to keep on developing new capabilities like the ones included for free in this latest version. We want to make an app that everyone will love."
Navionics Boating is easily found for the iPhone, iPad or Android by searching 'Navionics Boating' within the stores. In addition to free US Government charts and powerful no charge features, Navionics Boating users can purchase a Navionics+ subscription for detailed Navionics charts found on plotters in worldwide regions including: US & Canada, USA, Caribbean & South America, Greenland & Iceland, Norway, Baltic Sea, Skagerrak & Kattegat, UK-Ireland & Holland, Central & West Europe, Mediterranean & Black Sea, Upper Volga River, Moscow Area, Lower Volga River, Central Volga River, Canaries-Azores & Madeira, Africa & Middle East, Indian Ocean & South China Sea, China Sea & Japan, Australia & New Zealand, and Pacific Islands. To download from within the app, customers go to 'Menu' and then 'Upgrades & Apps'.
Navionics Boating with free US Govt. charts and enhanced features including Navionics+ is available in app version 7.1 for the iPhone and iPad. For Android, Navionics Boating including free US Govt. charts is available in version 4.0 on Google Play, with Navionics+ upgrade due to be released any day and other enhanced features coming throughout the year. Navionics Boating, loaded with all the standard app features and Navionics+ upgrade options from the full global catalog, will also soon be offered as an app on Microsoft Windows for PC and Tablet. For more information on the all-new Navionics Boating app or to learn more about Navionics and its entire product line, please visit www.navionics.com.
About Navionics:
For 30 years, Navionics® has developed and manufactured electronic navigation charts and systems for marine, inland lakes and rivers, and outdoor use. Navionics operates its US headquarters in Wareham, MA, and has worldwide offices in Italy, UK, India, Australia and Estonia.
