NEW - Lake Winnipesaukee iPhone/iPad/iTouch Navigation & Chart App!

Guiness · 08-05-2011, 06:53 AM

Just bought the app for my iPhone. Looks cool! Just need the weather to improve and I will test it on the water.

Guiness · 08-05-2011, 08:34 PM

The app worked great. I certainly did not test all the features but it was easy and accurate. Thanks!

diz · 08-05-2011, 10:43 PM

This week a coworker came back to Mass. after renting a place in Meredith. He had started to explain where it was when I realized I now have a copy of the Bizer chart in my pocket. We quickly pinched, scrolled and flicked our way to the exact location. This little app is really growing on me.

bkgoodman · 08-07-2011, 04:32 PM

Calling all users!

I'd you get a chance, please rate it in the AppStore.

Thanks!

-BKG

DBreskin · 08-07-2011, 09:31 PM

I purchased and used the app today. It's great; much easier than trying to keep track of my location on the paper map.

Two comments:
I found the app would get stuck in portrait orientation sometimes when I had the toolbar visible and changed from portrait to landscape mode. The orientation would change so the portrait view was displayed upright in landscape mode but only took up about 2/3 of the screen on the left side. The right third of the screen was grey.
It would be nice to have the device location icon show as an arrow (or boat outline) indicating direction of travel instead of a red circle.

Island Girl · 08-08-2011, 09:23 AM

Since I don't have the GPS version of an ipad, what would be the benefit of this app over the pdf version of Bizer's map on my ipad?

MassCamper · 08-08-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBreskin

Two comments:
I found the app would get stuck in portrait orientation sometimes when I had the toolbar visible and changed from portrait to landscape mode. The orientation would change so the portrait view was displayed upright in landscape mode but only took up about 2/3 of the screen on the left side. The right third of the screen was grey.
It would be nice to have the device location icon show as an arrow (or boat outline) indicating direction of travel instead of a red circle.

I noticed the same issue in portrait mode. Another suggeston would be a bread crumb option. Also when putting in track routes, after the first route is entered and you pinch the screen to zoom in the program shuts down. If you don't zoom in it's ok.

Besides these minor issues, I think it works great!!

bkgoodman · 08-08-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MassCamper

when putting in track routes, after the first route is entered and you pinch the screen to zoom in the program shuts down. If you don't zoom in it's ok.

Ah! I've never run into that - but I don't know if i've tried that. It sounds like another manifestation of a bug in the mapping kit when it tries to draw a line with only one point in it. I've worked around some similar issues, it sounds like zooming while adding a new route (when it has only one point in it) is another case of that.

Thanks for the report - I will fix ASAP, and am also working on the issue in portrait mode.

-bkg

Slickcraft · 10-14-2011, 08:16 AM

bkgoodman, I understand that the iphone has "some" GPS receivers and also uses cell tower aiding information. I have not been able to find any real data as to iphone tested position accuracy and/or data on number of GPS receivers.

We are considering an iphone and the app looks like a good deal for Winni boaters. That is if the iphone position data is consistently accurate enough. We do have a Standard Horizons GPS unit with the Bizer chip in one boat and the combination is very accurate. The iphone app would be used in a 2nd boat but only if the iphone position accuracy approaches the stand alone GPS unit.

Thanks

bkgoodman · 10-14-2011, 10:12 AM

The whole "cell tower location" (and even "WiFi Station Location") are used only when you have an app that wants to get a vague idea of where you are. An app can request a lower amount of positional accuracy which will use these other techniques. This saves battery life because cell tower location uses less power than running the GPS receiver.

For my app, I crank the accuracy up to "full", which means that you will always be running off of the GPS (as you can tell be the little GPS arrow showing in the toolbar).

As for the accuracy of the iPhone's GPS vs. others - from what I can say from my own experience - it is about as accurate as any other. It does not have WAAS, but unless your doing a precision approach in an airplane, I don't know that that's important.

Aside from that, the only downside I could see on the iPhone vs. another GPS would be the antenna. If you were in some sort of enclosed, shielded cabin, you may be better off with a device that could support an external GPS antenna. (Actually,*can* use an external bluetooth GPS with my app as well. I've tested this and can recommend one that works well. My guess is you really don't need it. [That is more for people with iTouches or iPads with no GPS receivers in them].)

You could obviously experiment yourself with the built-in maps application. My app will have the same accuracy as the phone's GPS when running it.

In summary - I'd say that the accuracy is very good, on-par with any other device and you'll be happy. I have received nothing but very positive feedback from other users, too.

hancoveguy · 10-14-2011, 03:40 PM

I second, third, fourth or whatever number we are at...on the DROID version....Would buy it the second it came out...
HCG

bkgoodman · 10-14-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hancoveguy

I second, third, fourth or whatever number we are at...on the DROID version....Would buy it the second it came out...
HCG

Giving some very serious concideration to an Android app for next spring...

4Fun · 10-14-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkgoodman

Ah! I've never run into that - but I don't know if i've tried that. It sounds like another manifestation of a bug in the mapping kit when it tries to draw a line with only one point in it. I've worked around some similar issues, it sounds like zooming while adding a new route (when it has only one point in it) is another case of that.

Thanks for the report - I will fix ASAP, and am also working on the issue in portrait mode.

-bkg

Very good App... How are upgrades handled for those of uss that bought early?

kauriel · 10-14-2011, 10:36 PM

I also vote for an android app! Be sure to let us know if one is developed!!!

08-05-2011, 06:53 AM	#1
Guiness Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 63 Thanks: 25 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Downloaded Just bought the app for my iPhone. Looks cool! Just need the weather to improve and I will test it on the water.

08-05-2011, 08:34 PM	#2
Guiness Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 63 Thanks: 25 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Good first run! The app worked great. I certainly did not test all the features but it was easy and accurate. Thanks!

08-05-2011, 10:43 PM	#3
diz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Laconia Posts: 141 Thanks: 125 Thanked 35 Times in 20 Posts	Useful even on dry land, too! This week a coworker came back to Mass. after renting a place in Meredith. He had started to explain where it was when I realized I now have a copy of the Bizer chart in my pocket. We quickly pinched, scrolled and flicked our way to the exact location. This little app is really growing on me.

08-08-2011, 09:23 AM	#6
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,358 Thanks: 18 Thanked 577 Times in 183 Posts	This app vs. pdf Since I don't have the GPS version of an ipad, what would be the benefit of this app over the pdf version of Bizer's map on my ipad? __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

10-14-2011, 08:16 AM	#9
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,386 Thanks: 1,260 Thanked 2,148 Times in 983 Posts	Accuracy question bkgoodman, I understand that the iphone has "some" GPS receivers and also uses cell tower aiding information. I have not been able to find any real data as to iphone tested position accuracy and/or data on number of GPS receivers. We are considering an iphone and the app looks like a good deal for Winni boaters. That is if the iphone position data is consistently accurate enough. We do have a Standard Horizons GPS unit with the Bizer chip in one boat and the combination is very accurate. The iphone app would be used in a 2nd boat but only if the iphone position accuracy approaches the stand alone GPS unit. Thanks

The Following User Says Thank You to Guiness For This Useful Post:
bkgoodman (08-05-2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to diz For This Useful Post:
bkgoodman (08-05-2011)

08-07-2011, 04:32 PM	#4
bkgoodman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 66 Thanks: 27 Thanked 16 Times in 6 Posts	Calling all users! I'd you get a chance, please rate it in the AppStore. Thanks! -BKG

08-07-2011, 09:31 PM	#5
DBreskin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wolfeboro NH Posts: 283 Thanks: 143 Thanked 121 Times in 76 Posts	I purchased and used the app today. It's great; much easier than trying to keep track of my location on the paper map. Two comments: I found the app would get stuck in portrait orientation sometimes when I had the toolbar visible and changed from portrait to landscape mode. The orientation would change so the portrait view was displayed upright in landscape mode but only took up about 2/3 of the screen on the left side. The right third of the screen was grey. It would be nice to have the device location icon show as an arrow (or boat outline) indicating direction of travel instead of a red circle.

10-14-2011, 10:12 AM	#10
bkgoodman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 66 Thanks: 27 Thanked 16 Times in 6 Posts	The whole "cell tower location" (and even "WiFi Station Location") are used only when you have an app that wants to get a vague idea of where you are. An app can request a lower amount of positional accuracy which will use these other techniques. This saves battery life because cell tower location uses less power than running the GPS receiver. For my app, I crank the accuracy up to "full", which means that you will always be running off of the GPS (as you can tell be the little GPS arrow showing in the toolbar). As for the accuracy of the iPhone's GPS vs. others - from what I can say from my own experience - it is about as accurate as any other. It does not have WAAS, but unless your doing a precision approach in an airplane, I don't know that that's important. Aside from that, the only downside I could see on the iPhone vs. another GPS would be the antenna. If you were in some sort of enclosed, shielded cabin, you may be better off with a device that could support an external GPS antenna. (Actually,can use an external bluetooth GPS with my app as well. I've tested this and can recommend one that works well. My guess is you really don't need it. [That is more for people with iTouches or iPads with no GPS receivers in them].) You could obviously experiment yourself with the built-in maps application. My app will have the same accuracy as the phone's GPS when running it. In summary - I'd say that the accuracy is very good, on-par with any other device and you'll be happy. I have received nothing but very positive feedback from other users, too.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to bkgoodman For This Useful Post:
Slickcraft (10-14-2011), VitaBene (10-14-2011)

10-14-2011, 03:40 PM	#11
hancoveguy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 276 Thanks: 95 Thanked 65 Times in 30 Posts	I second, third, fourth or whatever number we are at...on the DROID version....Would buy it the second it came out... HCG

10-14-2011, 10:36 PM	#14
kauriel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, N. MA Posts: 290 Thanks: 119 Thanked 62 Times in 44 Posts	I also vote for an android app! Be sure to let us know if one is developed!!!

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