Login at MacSailing.net

Good progress is made on adding N2K support to MacENC. MacENC v8 uses the Actisense NGT-1 USB gateway to connect to a N2K network ..

http://www.actisense.com/HTML/Products/G.../index.php

http://www.blueheronmarine.com/Actisense...rface-7286

If you have a N2K network, are ordering a NGT-1, are a registered user of MacENC, and have an Intel Mac (i.e. Macbook [pro]) send an email to macenc at mac dot com and we will send you an early BETA of MacENC v8 (Supports N2K GPS and Instruments input.)

A conversation with another member stimulated this question. How reliable is the iPhone/iPad gps when it's down in the confines of the cabin. My recollection from my initial use of a Mac onboard some years ago is many (most?) gps have problems receiving the satellite signals through the cabbie roof, thus resorting to careful placement of the gps antenna or a gps antenna mounted outside. Of course these are not practical with the iPhone/iPad. Has reception improved significantly? Myself, I have the wifi iPad and have a Digi-Connect ordered, as I already have external gps antennas for my ais and plotter, plus a backup Garmin handheld all wired in via nmea, so don't 'need' another gps, but I do get questions from others and like to give balanced, pragmatic responses.

Scot

iNavX can request, download and display GRIB weather forecasts.

GRIB are output files generated by computer forecasting models. They are tremendously more compact than regular weather charts and because of their size are very well suited for download via wireless means. The largest producer of GRIB weather is NOAA although other organizations such as the military and research institutions also generate GRIB files. NOAA GRIB files are the best ones suited for marine forecasts.

GRIB files can come into iNavX three ways: X-Traverse or Email or iTunes:

Via X-Traverse

1) From the iNavX main menu, select "Setup".

2) Select "X-Traverse Account".

3) Enter email address used for X-Traverse account and X-Traverse password. Note if you forgot them, then reset password..

https://www.x-traverse.com/sessions/forgot_password

4) Select a Chart that includes the area you want the forecast for.

5) Select the "Forecast" tab.

6) Select "GRIB Parameters".

7) Select "Request Via" and set to "X-Trav".

8) Select "Request GRIB".

9) Select the type of forecast desired.

10) In approximately one minute, select "Import GRIB".

11) If available, the newly requested GRIB will be in the menu ready for selection.

12) Select the local forecast date/time to display. iNavX will open the chart (a smaller scale chart may be loaded) to the GRIB.

13) Pinch to zoom in and out. Keep in mind that GRIB data is on 1/2 degree increments so zooming out may be needed.

14) Use the [<<] and [>>] buttons or tap the date/time to select a different local date/time.

15) Return to Forecast tab and select GRIB (bold font) and select "None" to turn off display of GRIB.

Note: Recommend logging on to X-Traverse.com account. Select "Settings" and enabling "Forward GRIB Notifications". This will send an email when a requested GRIB file is available. The GRIB can also be used in GRIB viewing software such as MacENC.

http://www.x-traverse.com/grib


Via Email

1) Select a Chart that includes the area you want the forecast for.

2) Select the "Forecast" tab.

3) Select "GRIB Parameters".

4) Select "Request Via" and set to "Email" or "XGate". Note "XGate" requires the XGate or AxcessPoint or GO! app be installed on the iDevice.

5) Select "Request GRIB".

6) Select the type of forecast desired.

7) Launch the "Mail" app or the "XGate" or "AxcessPoint" or "GO!" app.

8) Find the email with the GRIB file attachment. If not available, select the respective check for mail action.

9) Hold down the GRIB file attachment until you can select "Open In". Select "iNavX".

10) Select the "Forecast" view.

11) Select the desired GRIB from the menu.

10) Select the local forecast date/time to display. iNavX will open the chart (a smaller scale chart may be loaded) to the GRIB.

11) Pinch to zoom in and out. Keep in mind that GRIB data is on 1/2 degree increments so zooming out may be needed.

12) Use the [<<] and [>>] buttons or tap the date/time to select a different local date/time.

13) Return to Forecast tab and select GRIB (bold font) and select "None" to turn off display of GRIB.


Via iTunes on a PC or Mac

1) Install Awesome files on your iDevice ..

http://www.macroplant.com/awesomefiles/

2) In iTunes switch to your device "Apps" section where you see the "File Sharing".

3) Select "Awesome Files".

4) Select "Add..." button and choose the GRIB (.GRB) file from your Mac or PC.

5) Launch Awesome files on your iDevice.

6) In the "Documents" view of Awesome Files, hold down the GRIB file (Will wiggle) and select "Open In" "iNavX" rom toolbar at bottom. Note: You may have to select "Documents" a second time to see the .GRB file.

7) Select a Chart that includes the area you want the forecast for.

8) Select the "Forecast" tab.

9) Select the imported GRIB from the menu.

10) Select the local forecast date/time to display. iNavX will open the chart (a smaller scale chart may be loaded) to the GRIB.

11) Pinch to zoom in and out. Keep in mind that GRIB data is on 1/2 degree increments so zooming out may be needed.

12) Use the [<<] and [>>] buttons or tap the date/time to select a different local date/time.

13) Return to Forecast tab and select GRIB (bold font) and select "None" to turn off display of GRIB.

iNavX can export waypoints, routes and tracks either to X-Traverse or an email address or an App (i.e. Google Earth) or another iDevice (using AirDrop) or to iCloud. Recommend doing so as a way of backing up.


If exporting to X-Traverse:

1) From the iNavX main menu, select "Preferences".

2) Select "X-Traverse Account".

3) Enter email address used for X-Traverse account and X-Traverse password. Note if you forgot them, then reset password..

https://www.x-traverse.com/sessions/forgot_password

4) Select a Chart from desired region.


Exporting Waypoints/Routes

5) Select "Waypoints" tab.

6) Select "Import/Export".

7) Select "Export Waypoints" or "Export Route". Note: If exporting a route be sure to select it first in the "Routes" view by selecting the blue disclosure button.

8) Select the format to export to. For backing up KMZ (Google Earth format) is recommended as it saves any photos associated with waypoints.


Exporting Tracks

5) Select "Tracks" tab.

6) Select "Export Tracks".

7) Select the format to export to. "Facebook" requires a Facebook account be linked to your X-Traverse account ..

http://www.x-traverse.com/facebook


Exporting to an App (Google Earth)

8) In Step 7 above select "Open In...".

9) Select "Google Earth".

10) To transfer the waypoints, routes, or track to a PC or Mac:
a) Connect iPad/iPhone to iTunes via the USB cable.
b) Select iPad in the "Device" section.
c) Select the "Apps" tab.
d) Find "Google Earth" in apps list.
e) Select "inbox" in the Google Earth Documents.
f) Select "Save To..." button to save the waypoints, routes, tracks to a folder on your PC or Mac.


Enabling AirDrop:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5887

Just seen some great screenshots posted by GPSNavX on Panbo.com.
[image]http://www.inavx.com/images/screenshots/iPad/screenchartcompass.png[/image]

[image]http://www.inavx.com/images/screenshots/iPad/screenchartspeed.png[/image]

[image]http://www.inavx.com/images/screenshots/iPad/screenchartwind.png[/image]

These gauges look great onscreen. I hope they'll be more for Xtrack, depth etc.

How about support for multiple gauges? Will this functionality be available for the iPod?

I could see a nav setup with just ipod touches and an iPad, providing all instruments from a wifi NMEA stream.

iNavX can import waypoints and routes and tracks.

Via email

1) Send an email with a GPX or KML or KMZ file attachment with waypoints, routes, and/or tracks to the iPhone/iPad/iPod running iNavX.

2) Launch the "Mail" app on the the iPhone/iPad/iPod running iNavX.

3) Find the email with the a GPX or KML or KMZ file attachment.

4) Hold down the attachment until you can select "Open In.."

5) Select "iNavX". iNavX will open and the file will be imported.

6) If a route was imported, select the specific route in the "Routes" view by tapping the blue disclosure button next to the route. It's name will turn to a bold font indicating it was selected (which means it will be plotted on the chart).


Via iTunes on a PC or Mac

1) Install Awesome files on your iDevice ..

http://www.macroplant.com/awesomefiles/

2) in iTunes switch to your device "Apps" section where you see the "File Sharing".

3) Select "Awesome Files".

4) Select "Add..." button and choose the GPX or KML file from your Mac or PC.

5) Launch Awesome files on your iDevice.

6) In the "Documents" view of Awesome Files, hold down the GPX or KML file (will wiggle) and select "Open In" "iNavX" from toolbar at bottom. Note: You may have to select "Documents" a second time to see the GPX or KML file.

7) If a route was imported, select the specific route in the "Routes" view by tapping the blue disclosure button next to the route. It's name will turn to a bold font indicating it was selected (which means it will be plotted on the chart).


From a Mac using X-Traverse

1) Download the Mac OS X Traverse application ..

http://www.inavx.net/X-Traverse.dmg


2) Launch the Mac OS X Traverse application.

3) Select "Account" button and enter X-Traverse account information (email/password).

4) Drag GPX or KML or KMZ files into the Mac OS X Traverse application window. Note: Many mapping and charting applications can create these files that contain waypoints or routes or tracks. For example MacENC via the "Waypoints" or "Routes" menu "Transfer To" "GPX File..."

5) Launch iNavX on your device.

6) Open a chart.

7) Select "Waypoints" view.

8) Select "Import/Export" from menu.

9) Select "Account" button. Enter X-Traverse account information (email/password).

10) Your available files will list in the Import/Export view.

11) Select file to import.

12) If a route was imported, select the specific route in the "Routes" view by tapping the blue disclosure button next to the route. It's name will turn to a bold font indicating it was selected (which means it will be plotted on the chart).


Via a PC using X-Traverse

1) Log onto X-Traverse website ..

http://www.x-traverse.com/


2) Select "My Files"

3) Select "Upload New File"

4) Choose the GPX, KML or KMZ file that contains routes or waypoints or tracks and then select "Create"

5) Launch iNavX on your device.

6) Open a chart.

7) Select "Waypoints" view.

8) Select "Import/Export" from menu.

9) Select "Account" button. Enter X-Traverse account information (email/password).

10) Your available files will list in the Import/Export view.

11) Select file to import.

12) If a route was imported, select the specific route in the "Routes" view by tapping the blue disclosure button next to the route. It's name will turn to a bold font indicating it was selected (which means it will be plotted on the chart).

The first Marine GeoGarage universal app is available right now on the App Store with all the 323 raster maps from Linz (NZ).

Click on : Marine NZ

[image]http://a1.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/055/Purple/3e/92/97/mzl.lkcxbgtw.320x480-75.jpg[/image]

[color:blue]Marine GeoGarage[/color] apps are native iPhone/IPad universal applications bringing nautical charts hosted in the Marine GeoGarage Cloud Computing solution to your prefered mobile devices.

That means the applications provide fast, smooth panning and zooming actions with the unique finger gestures of the IPhone/iPad.

No need to download and host the charts in the memory of your device : access to all the nauticals maps when you are online -in wifi- for example.
Then see your GPS position on the maps (online or offline with the cache memory which saved the previous online visits)
Click to enter some waypoints informing you about course and distance from your boat.

Marine GeoGarage apps also proposes land maps from the OpenStreet project (supporting CloudMade tiles).

This basic but high quality product (displaying thousands of updated raster charts from international Hydrographic Services in your hand) is sold to very low price.
[image]http://marine.geogarage.com/attachement/0000/0002/iPad_iPhone.png[/image]

iNavX will use the built in magnetic compass of the iPhone and iPad for orienting the position icon, course up chart rotation, and the compass banners. Unfortunately the compass is susceptible to interference not limited to the angle of the device (i.e. tilted). iNavX can use COG: (Course Over Ground) instead of the compass (HDG for the orientations. In order to have iNavX use the COG:, simply turn "OFF" HDG: in the "Setup" for "Instruments".

Another option is to attempt to correct the compass error. In the "Setup" for "Instruments", the "Compass Deviation" can be adjusted.

Insure your device has an internet connection. This can be done by opening noaa.gov or x-traverse.com websites in Safari.

- A single NOAA chart:
1) Open the Chart.
2) Select the "i"nfo button in the lower right hand corner.
3) Select the action button in upper left hand corner.
4) Select "Update Chart".
5) Select "Yes" to download.

- Recently used NOAA charts:
1) Access the the Chart List for a specific NOAA region, specifically the History - select the clock icon in the Chart list filter button.
2) Select "Update Charts".

- An entire NOAA region:
1) Open any NOAA chart from the region.
2) Select the "i"nfo button in the lower right hand corner.
3) Select the action button in upper left hand corner.
4) Select "Remove All".
5) Select any NOAA chart from region.
6) Select "Yes, All" when prompted to download.

- An entire X-Traverse region:
1) From the iNavX main menu, select "Setup".
2) Select "X-Traverse Account".
3) Enter email address used for X-Traverse account and X-Traverse password. Note if you forgot them, then reset password..

https://www.x-traverse.com/sessions/forgot_password

4) From the iNavX main menu, select the X-Traverse region to update.
5) Select the magnifying glass icon from the Chart List filter button (upper right hand corner).
6) Select "Update Chart List".
7) Select "Yes" and the new Chart list will download. Note: This could take a moment.
8) Select any chart from the Chart List.
9) Select "Yes,All" when prompted to download. In the event a chart doesn't download (downloaded charts will be in a bold font), select the chart and return to step 9.