One additional benefit of the SonarCharts “Live” development, is that with the release of Version 7.4 of the Navionics Boating App, you can now run the app on a Wi-Fi Only iPad or even the iPod Touch.
Until now the Navionics App has needed the iPad or iPhone to have its own internal GPS in order to calculate and display the boat’s position when not connected to the internet via Wi-Fi. All iPhones have an internal GPS, as do the more expensive “3G” versions of the iPad, but now with V7.4 of the app all iPads and also the very cost effective iPod Touch can run the app and get GPS data wirelessly from our Sonar Server, assuming it is connected to the boat’s GPS.
So even if you do not intend to collect your own depth data using the Sonar Server, you can still benefit from improved battery life (not using the devices internal GPS) and being able to use the app on cheaper Wi-Fi only devices, by connecting a Sonar Server to your boat’s navigation system.
Sounds good. How do I connect the Sonar Server to the GPS on my boat and on my iCom GPS Radio?
Hi Malcolm, are you just wanting to get GPS data on to your Wi-Fi only iPad or iPod or do you also want to get depth data on there as well to enable the Sonar Charts Live?
If you only want to use the Sonar Server to get GPS data on to the Wi-Fi Only iPad or iPod, then this should not be a problem, just connect the NMEA0183 output of your Icom Radio (assuming your radio has built-in GPS). If you let me know the model of Icom radio you have, I will work out which wires you need to connect together.
Best regards
PAUL
Hi POaul,
I have an IC_M423G with GPS.
Appreciate your input
So if you take NMEA Output wires White(+) and Brown(-) of the Icom 423G and connect these to the NMEA Input wires Yellow(+) and Green(-) of the Sonar Server, then you will be able to transmit the GPS data from the Icom to your Navionics App running on your Wi-Fi only iPad.
There will not be any depth data, so Sonar Chart data collection will not take place but at least you will be able to get position on your Wi-Fi only iPad when out at sea and not connected to the internet.
Best regards
PAUL