SEAiq professional navigation on iPad

A few days before going on a long trip from Toulon to Noumea, my friend Christophe Mahé introduced me to this application which had gone completely unnoticed by me. I sincerely thank him ! As it is never too late to do well, a few discussions with the developer allowed me to install this application on my iPad with all its options. SEAiq went live on the AppStore in April 2012. Its developer, Mark Hayden, is a Californian computer engineer living a good part of his time with his family or alone around the world aboard his Super Maramu, the happy man.

SEAiq Open (¹) is the only application on iPad / iPhone for using vector charts ENC IHO official standards S-52, S-57 and S-63. With information database included in these charts, and update systems , SEAiq transforms the iPad into a real ECDIS (²) professionnal.

SEAiq is available in three versions :

• SEAiq USA and SEAiq Free : reserved for American boaters who can automatically download NOAA RNC and ENC charts (²) Who, it must be repeated, are universally free. SEAiq Free allows you to try the SEAiq USA version before you buy, and unlock all functions with a purchase in-app (9 €).
• SEAiq Open : the standard version supporting ENC charts already mentioned, Inland ENC, CM93, raster charts BSB/KAP (MapTech) and offering all Premium functions. You can test this version for free for a week (can be reinstalled several times) before unlocking the Premium option with a purchase in-app (18 €).
• SEAiq Pilot : Open version with advanced functions for coastal, harbour and river pilots ($200).

Ergonomics

Don't dream, we are here with an application whose sole purpose is to be functional. The interface is sadly professional, but available functions via gestures of the iPad are complete : tap to get Latitude/Longitude, Bearing and distance from a place, double-tap for context menu, two-finger swipes for zoom+/- and chart rotation, etc,. Simple and effective. A top banner or right side drawer are alternate to display navigation and NMEA data (if connected). No transparency effects or drop-down window, but a simple display and three color levels for the display modes day, twilight or night.

In use, however, a difficulty appears : lack of display responsiveness. S-63 ENC charting is encrypted and application has diificulty in display charts when zooming or drag the chart. It often takes several seconds before the display be refreshed. It is inherent in this charting format. In return, processing of the data displayed on the charts (texts, objects, informations) has been very carefully from the developer and provides a close reading of raster charting. You can see this in the screenshots above.

Although the application is only in English, Extremely comprehensive and detailed text help helps you understand how it works, starting with the purchase and downloading chats is a true way of the cross (Navionics charts purchase on X-Traverse website is a breeze compared !).

Settings

Might as well say it right away : the settings are plethora ! I counted almost 80 regarding the general display, the units, types of cards, the ship, waypoint management, routes and tracks files, measuring tools, NMEA data, AIS targets, imports/exports, and many more, nothing seems forgotten.

Functions

Once again iit is difficult to find fault with the application, As for the provided features for the wealth of settings that affect. In addition to the basic functions regarding waypoint management, routes and tracks files, SEAiq provides :

• Full access to data associated with vector charts.

• VRM and EBL display (³) on the chart as a radar by simple fingers gesture (requires a little learning).

• Operating GPS iPad / iPhone or external GPS NMEA (if connected)
• Client / Server NMEA function : display of received data (client mode) and share data with other devices (server).
• Using GPS location while tethering from another device (iPhone / iPad) if only iPad WiFi.
• AIS target display realistic representation, prediction of route and rate-of-turn. Alarm for the appearance of a new target. Displaying target data, with CPA/TCPA.
• Transfer of waypoints via TCP to a plotter.
• Automatic display of weather data from NOAA or manual request by email (Wind and Pressure).
• Importing and exporting routes in GPX format.

• Support community database ActiveCaptain.

• Access to the global tides app AyeTides (like iNavX) to display nearby tide stations.
• Adjustable anchor alarm.

And I'm definitely forgetting something again.

To conclude

As you can see from this quick lookup SEAiq is a rather reserved application for leasure boaters, professional or experienced, who wish to have a formal charting can be updated. For those who sail in the Pacific Ocean, the application allows the passage of the antemeridian, what iNavX does not do with Navionics cartography. It is such an application we will find on the navigation room of merchant ships. No wonder an advanced version is offered to professional pilots.

However, you should be aware that ENC maps do not cover all regions of the world in detail, and comparisons made in several areas of the globe with Navionics show a lack of details as you move away from the main routes and areas frequented by merchant shipping. In addition, to cover a large trip, the number of “cells” to purchase to have general maps to the most detailed maps can represent a significant budget. The first thing to do, before starting with such an application, is to go to the website of ChartWorld et d’explorer l’imposant catalogue des cartes ENC et leurs prix.

That being the case,, SEAiq est pour moi une heureuse découverte, un grand bravo à son concepteur.

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(¹) La terminaison « iq » pour « intelligence quotient », par exemple « intelligence à la mer ».
(²) Les définitions de tous ces acronymes se trouvent dans le Glossary.
(³) VRM (Variable Range Marker) draws a distance circle around the boat (or an object) pour évaluer la distance de tous les objets rentrant dans ce cercle. EBL (Electronic Bearing Line) mobile line to know course and distance between two points or between the boat and a point on the chart.
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