Anyone use Boat Beacon for iPad ot Android?

I don't think it would be very useful unless recreational boaters have AIS on their boats which I don't think is very common at this time. Radar, at least for me, would work better than AIS for our area since we don't have an enormous amount of commercial traffic. Until they make AIS mandatory on all boats I don't think it is very useful for recreational boats with them being so maneuverable. Radar set at 1 mile will afford you enough time to alter course and avoid any type of collision. It is typically not commercial traffic that you have to worry about, but the drunks on pontoon boat or day boats that have no clue about navigation or right of way that is the problem and AIS will not help you at all with them. IMO of course.
 
I just downloaded it, back-up AIS..... awesome! And only $9.99 what a deal. I'll let you know how it works.

Thanks for the heads up MM :thumbsup:
 
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/

This one is free....

Also, both of these sites don't actually broadcast AIS via VHF. Meaning, that tug or ship won't see any info regarding YOUR vessel. It's great to gain additional info via these sites for radio contact, speed or direction, but that's about it....
 
I've been using the free mAIS app that works off marinetraffic.com. Same basic thing.
 
That is the name of the app mAIS
 
beachcombersc said:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/

This one is free....

Also, both of these sites don't actually broadcast AIS via VHF. Meaning, that tug or ship won't see any info regarding YOUR vessel. It's great to gain additional info via these sites for radio contact, speed or direction, but that's about it....
Click to expand...
I use this one too, and it works pretty well provided you have a good cell signal.

Turtlesboat said:
I've been using the free mAIS app that works off marinetraffic.com. Same basic thing.
Click to expand...

wish2fish said:
care to share the name?
Click to expand...

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marinetraffic/id421227715?mt=8
 
Yes they do. It transmits AIS through their network just like boat beacon.
 
Once again, these will not show up on true AIS broadcast equipment.... These share within their own company/app, and receive TRUE AIS local broadcasts, which are shown together on a single mapping app.

You will not be seen by true AIS equipment with these apps...
 
Pack66Dad said:
No, not really here is a quote from the Boat Beacon information site: "Transmits as well as receives AIS". Those other programs don't do that.
Click to expand...

This is off the main site page for Boat Beacon

"N.B. This is not an AIS VHF Transponder. Your boat will not show up on other Ship based VHF AIS systems (unless they are linked to a common Global AIS system)."

Unless that captain or harbor pilot is looking at his free or $9.00 app on a 3.5" phone while maneuvering his 900 foot ship going 14kts, your going to be SOL... I highly doubt he's going to open himself up to that kind of liability... Actually, I hope he wouldn't!!!
 
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That's correct, this only allows YOU to see the big ships, the big ships won't see you on AIS. The AIS transmit data on all of these apps only work if you are on the same "network". So if you have a group of boaters, just all download the same app and you can track each other.
 
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