[Rhodes22-list] Bluetooth depth finder for Navionics

[Jesse Shumaker]

Hi Allyn,

Are you looking to get a depth finder to incorporate with Navionics for
purposes of their SonarChart functionality that allows you to create
bathymetry maps?  If so, it appears you can use SonarPhone T-BOX with
Navionics for that purpose.  More info is available at the links below:
https://www.navionics.com/usa/company/supported-manufacturers/sonarphone
https://www.navionics.com/usa/support/compatibility-guides/sonarchart-live

I just got Navionics before our trip to Michigan and found it very
helpful.  I was using it on my phone (Samsung Galaxy Active S8 running
Android).  About a year ago, my phone took a significant drop and I think
that may have damaged the GPS receiver inside since it sometimes
loses connection.  For that reason, and also because I'm a bit nervous
about having my phone out in the cockpit since I don't want it to go
overboard, I just got an iPod Touch that I'll pair with a Bad Elf Pro via
Bluetooth to catch the GPS signal.  I ordered a waterproof case for the
iPod touch and a wristband ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z76ZB8G)
to hold the iPod.  I found myself moving around and zooming, etc. so it's
nice to have the iPod immediately available.  Since the Navionics
subscription extends to all of your devices, I also loaded it on a tablet
which I use when planning navigation but I didn't actually have it mounted
in the cockpit.  I might try to add a mount for the tablet in the cockpit
of my R22 next summer.

Of course the depth finder on the charter boat was not integrated with
Navionics on my phone, but I don't think that would have added much value.
I'm always keeping an eye on the depth finder in any shallow area anyway
and you can set alarms on depth finders so it will go off once you reach a
specified depth.

Regarding the iPad setup, if you want a GPS receiver built in, you'll need
to get an IPad with Cellular (from what I have read, that also includes a
GPS chip).  If you go for the wifi only model, then you can pair that with
a GPS receiver such as one of the versions of Bad Elf or Garmin GLO.  You
can download the charts while still on wifi and they are available for use
when you're out on the water without wifi/cell connection.

While I really like the digital charts on Navionics, I found the OpenCPN
preferable when I want to look at NOAA charts in digital format, so I have
both apps loaded.  The learning curve is steeper for OpenCPN.

Perhaps you already know most of this.  I just researched this recently for
my own purposes so I figured I might as well share.

It would be great if you can let us know what setup you end up going with.

Jesse Shumaker
S/V Zephyr

On Thu, Oct 8, 2020 at 7:56 PM Allyn Baskerville <allynb at adsne.com> wrote:

> I’m looking at doing some coastal sailing next year, and I’m leaning
> towards installing the Navionics app on an iPad. I’ve bred searching around
> for a depth finder that will integrate with this setup. I’ve been looking
> around but not really sure what works well. Any suggestions? Thanks
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>