Issues with Navionics App GPS Accuracy

[koissu]

I've noticed this since I got the app last year - it always shows my location about 100-200ft north of where I actually am. I can work around it, but I was curious if anyone else experienced this. Just makes it a bit harder to accurately pick my spot for drilling. I've got a flasher but going through the ice only works half the time.

[koissu]

Apparently I cannot delete my own post - I answered my question. Had to turn the 'boat settings' down to 0, I think that will fix it.

[rbobby]

It's also only as accurate as the device your using.
Iphones aren't that accurate under most conditions.

[TroutWhisperer]

Glad you got it sorted out. Navionics on my I-Phone gets me to within 10-20 feet.

[koissu]

Glad you got it sorted out. Navionics on my I-Phone gets me to within 10-20 feet.

iPhone as well. Last year it was much closer - I did a reinstall recently and I think the settings defaulted back.

[perchkiller123]

Just wondering what ponds they have on the app. Other than champ.

[tracker one]

simply bring up the map and zoom in to the ponds you are curious about,if it shows depth contours you're good to go

[flagfishon]

Here is an online version.

http://webapp.navionics.com/#boating@6&key=c%60poGjpm%7DL

[FlyPredatorVT]

I love Navionics! I have found it to be very accurate for me on both iPhones and an Android tablet. I would say I was within 10-20 feet of where it said I was. I have found some really great structure that has been quite productive thanks to the app. I highly recommend it myself.

[keithm87]

It is good for the most part but there are some places where it is VERY inaccurate for depth which for ice fishing isn't a problem, but for trolling is a major issue. If you look at inner mallets bey there is a good example... it is missing the island as you enter the bay. The overlay on some lakes is way off too like on Willoughby.

[FlyPredatorVT]

Keith, that will likely change when Navionics ends up with all the data that Middlebury is collecting right now. Their scans of the lake are unreal! I wish that Navionics (or someone else) had all of that to put into an App... it is truly amazing!

[Ice-n-Snow]

It is hit or miss for me.  I run Navionics on a 10" tablet in my boat and use it like a chart plotter while trolling.  It interfaces with my  Raymarine sonar unit, which automatically updates the depths on the display.   Ice fishing I use an iPhone.  Like Kieth87, I've found some surprising errors trolling on Champlain.  Other places I've found it to be mostly accurate. 

Overall, it is a lot better than nothing and far cheaper and more versatile than a dedicated GPS unit.   

[keithm87]

Yeah its great most of the time, but if your fishing an unfamiliar area with riggers and slide divers down, and trying to run across a hump, or mound it can get interesting quickly when the 30ft on the map turns to 12 in reality and you are scrambling to get your gear up. I hope that the maps do get better. there is no reason with the number of us out there using sonar that it shouldn't over time improve with those readings.

[ice4me]

Are you guys using the Navionics you buy? I have tried to use the free one just to find depths but half the time the contours don't show up.

[keithm87]

Yeah I have the 49 dollar iPad app, and purchased on iPhone and android they are all the same

[Ice-n-Snow]

Yeah its great most of the time, but if your fishing an unfamiliar area with riggers and slide divers down, and trying to run across a hump, or mound it can get interesting quickly when the 30ft on the map turns to 12 in reality and you are scrambling to get your gear up. I hope that the maps do get better. there is no reason with the number of us out there using sonar that it shouldn't over time improve with those readings.

I hear you.  Part of it is the resolution of the maps.   I don't fault Navionics for this because trollers are a small group using the product for a pretty specialized purpose.  99% of boaters don't care if the bottom in a particular area is 5ft or 25ft, so long as they don't run aground. 

For the most part, Navionics works awesome and I'm willing to accept the quirks.  But it can get hairy if you aren't careful.

One day last season we were trolling parallel to the steep bank south of Split Rock.  I was tending lines in the back of the boat and my father in law was driving.  Two rods released almost simultaneously and I thought we had a double.  Before I had time to realize what was happening, I had two downrigger balls stuck on the bottom at the same time!  Wind was pretty stiff and waves about two feet.  And we were uncomfortably close to the ledge.  Talk about panic!  Thankfully, we backed down on the balls and everything eventually came free.  Lost some lures, but nothing too expensive.     

My father in law didn't notice that the sonar read 16ft.  I'd had both riggers set at 45ft!  He was paying attention to the boat icon on the map to navigate along the contour.  He had edged closer to the bank and there was variability in the bottom that Navionics didn't show.  My bad for not telling him that the sonar is more accurate and important than the map.  Live and learn.

[Light liner]

Great tool for finding those spots before heading out.
I love it for scouting, I do a lot of drop shot fishing during the summer months.
It works great to find those pockets or holes fish hang out in during the day.

[KirtH]

Next time this happens turn on your Road Map Navigation and compare the 2 views, see if they both show you in the same location. Got a text message from a guy a while back mad at his Navionics app because it was showing couple 100 yds off of where he was. Told him to turn on his road navigation app and it showed him in the same spot couple 100 yds off. He was having some phone location issues.

[KirtH]

Just one more tip you know you can lakes and ponds with the app before ice season using the Vexilar SonarPhone