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If you are a yacht owner that enjoys cruising the blue-waters, you know how critical a reliable navigation system is to a trip’s success and the safety of those on the vessel. The entire navigation system includes GPS, weather charting, course-plotting and successfully identifying and avoiding mobile and stationary hazards.
That raises the question of which, in the INavX versus Navionics debate, is the more reliable navigational tool for yacht skippers.
Fortunately, there is plenty of information to consider when determining the system that works for you.
iNavX
INavX is the “#1 handheld chart plotter and the only chart plotter on your phone that delivers charts from your favorite chart providers.” Practical Sailor, Cruising Magazine, and Cruising World have praised the app as a critical tool for open sea navigation. The app also states that it is the only app that provides access to charts from the following:
- C-Map
- Blue Latitude
- Explorer
- Waterway Guide
- Delius Klasing
- Overlays from Theyr and GRIB file weather data
The app features:
- Advanced chart plotting and navigation
- The ability to print charts
- A display feature to show real-time vessel performance (speed, course, bearing, waypoints, etc.,) depth, speed, wind, and battery usage
- GRIP weather forecasts
- Tidal information
- Anchor and AIS alarm
- Tracking log history
Navionics
Navionics has been around much longer, starting in 1984 in Italy. It is a leader in providing electronic charts for the “leisure boating market.” Its cartography database is the world’s largest and includes oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and ponds. It also has GPS chart plotters via a partnership with Garmin.
In addition, Navionics offers:
- Sonar charting
- Community edits from end-users
- Boating information, including input from end-users (marinas, fueling locations, anchorage, hazards, etc.)
- Extensive US government charts, including NOAA overlays
- Dock-to-dock auto-routing
- Chart creations tools
- Plotter sync to tie in with mobile devices and PCs
Navionics also updates thousands of times daily, gathering information from Hydrographic sources, Public and private surveys, and end-user contributions and offers chart and map overlays include satellite with sonar chart shading, relief shading, 3D and panoramic views and photos.
For navigation, it charts AIS, weather and tide information, and the ability to connect to other boaters to compare navigational information.
iNavX Versus Navionics – Which One to Choose?
The best app to choose depends on what you are looking to do.
For Very Casual Boaters
iNavX is probably the best. It is a great handheld chart plotter that is highly transferable and updatable. There is a small charge to download the app but that gives you access to NOAA and vector charts from companies like Navionics, Waterway Guides, NV Charts, etc. There are also optional Theyr and GRIB file weather data.
If you are the type of boater that takes occasional overnights or goes out on the ocean frequently for day trips, iNavX is the better choice. iNavX provides enough details and access to charts but not so much that a relatively inexperienced boater will become overwhelmed. It also is easy to navigate.
For more Serious Boaters
The choice here is Navionics. Not only does it offer more features as part of its baseline subscription, but the active end-user updates are priceless. It also has more access to heavy-duty charting, which is why many professional sailors and commercial anglers rely on the Navionics system.
As a navigational tool, Navionics is perfect for the serious boater that spends a lot of time on the ocean and sails longer trips. It is a great tool if you are taking your vessel on a multiple-day trip that will encounter fuel and marina needs, navigation hazards, commercial traffic, etc. The other app can do all that, but not to the level of detail that Navionics provides.
Best pick – In Terms of Navigation
Again, this depends on what you are planning and how you will use the app.
If you need general charting and navigational aid, iNavX is difficult to beat and its charts are all the latest in terms of accuracy.
If you need more detailed nautical charting over longer spans of the ocean or up-to-date nautical information, most people will probably find Navionics a better bet.
Both can be used for either, but each has its own specialty.
Which one is perfect for Passage Planning: INavX or Navionics?
Both are excellent for Passage Planning, especially if the boater is a stickler for the four steps of Passage Planning (Appraisal, Planning, Execution, Monitoring.) Both offer real-time updating of your status, easy plot tracking, and helpful auxiliary tools like weather overlays. If there is an advantage of one over the other, active end-user input gives Navionics the edge.
In Terms of Charts, Which One Is The Best?
This also depends on the seriousness of the boater. If you were sailing across the ocean to a foreign port, Navionics is the better choice because it has more chart features and they are updated almost constantly.
If you are sailing a relatively shorter distance where precise plotting and charting is not necessary, iNavX is easier to use and understand, even for a novice. iNavX does have a lot of charts that can be purchased.
According To Pricing – Who is The Winner?
This one is counter-intuitive. iNavX starts with an app purchase and then subscription options, including chart purchases. Navionics’ app download is free, but it has several subscription options once you get beyond basic chart mapping.
They both end up costing about the same, but if you are looking to get by with as little expense as possible and can live with basic charting on general waterways, Navionics is the better choice.
Wrapping Up
The debate over what app is better depends on your needs. If you are planning on the occasional overnight or day trips, then INavX is the way to go. If your course is longer, includes several nights or you are looking for a commercial navigation tool, Navionics is your better bet.
Both, though, are constantly improving, which means you really cannot go wrong with either if you are looking to ensure safe passage to you, your vessel, crew, and passengers.
