Gear: Garmin Navionics app adds more user-friendly auto-routing
Draft and air draft now part of Navionics’ smarter Auto Guidance+ routing functionNavionics has upgraded its Navionics smartphone and tablet app so it will now use factors such as the boat’s draft and its ability to squeeze under low-headroom bridges when deciding the best route.
Called Auto Guidance+, the upgraded smartphone- and tablet-based app now owned by Garmin can now suggest the best dock-to-dock route based on how much water a boat can safely have under it, and how much air draft above.
“Whether headed out on a cruise, dropping into a marina for lunch or targeting your next potential fishing spot, Auto Guidance+ technology utilises an array of chart data and navigation aids – once your vessel’s information is entered into the app – to formulate the optimal suggested route to follow," Navionics said.
The big change with Auto Guidance+ is the ability to set how close offshore a boat owner is able to go.
The updated app will allow users to set a shoreline distance at one of five settings, ranging from “nearest” to “farthest”. This function also will steer boats around patches of shallow water along the route.
The revised app also includes:
- Faster route calculations with smoother suggested routes
- Better support for larger air draft vessels such as sailboats to help them navigate safely under bridges
- Unlimited waypoints to allow boaters to mark more features as they move around the water
The updated Navionics app comes with an announcement that subscription prices have changed for accessing the service.
A 12-month subscription to the Australia and New Zealand boating app will cost $38.99 for 12 months, up from the $34.99 charged previously.
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