So your "free" app may actually end up costing you a lot more than the one you paid for a few years ago.
This move is also evidence of a shift that is happening more broadly with navigation apps: moving from stand-alone fee-based products to free apps that require add-ons to integrate with chartplotters and other electronics.
Navionics is likely also counting on us buying the add-on modules, such as the advanced navigation or chart updates that you are still required to pay for. We all like free, right? This will help develop a whole new user base, including casual boaters and people that have been hesitant about using mobile apps on the water. What this means for the expense-conscious boater (aka cheapskates like me) is that you can download this app, get a really easy to use navigation tool with straightforward chart data, and immediately use it to navigate around your local waters.
NAVIONICS CARDS FOR FREE
In a move that I for one appreciate, they released a new version of their boating app for free including all the Government S57 charts, and also free trials of their add on Nav module. But when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stopped printing charts in October last year, they began offering free vector and raster chart downloads, which led to the introduction of quite a few new mobile apps that provide free or low-cost charting and navigation. There are several manufacturers of electronic charts for maritime use, the world market leader is the Italian company Navionics. Navionics is introducing a free version of its popular smartphone and tablet navigation app. Chartplotters with electronic charts have become integral to life on board todays boats While they may not fully replace traditional paper charts, electronic charts certainly make navigation much easier.