iNavX Part 3: Routes and Tracks

In part 1 of the tutorial, I covered "Getting Started with iNavX". In part 2 I showed you the many features of the the main iNavX Chart display. I also showed you how to create and edit Waypoints in several different ways. In this 3rd session I will cover the creation and editing of Routes and Tracks.

Routes:

A route is simply a collection of waypoints that make up the path to your destination. To create a route select the Route soft key at the bottom of the main Chart display.  On the route display you will see a + sign in the upper right hand corner. Selecting this will take you into the route creation and editing page.  The new route will be given an name like RT001. You can change the name of your route by tapping your finger in the route name field and typing in the new text. Here I have renamed the route to Cape Coral - Naples.

Next we need to add some waypoints to define the route. This can be done on the main Chart page or in the route creation display.

Lets first use the routes creation display.  Select the Routes soft key, you should now see the Cape Coral - Naples route listed.

Edit this route by tapping anywhere on that line and it will take you to the route editing display. You can start adding waypoints by tapping the + sign on the upper left side of the screen.

A list of waypoints will come up for you to select from, tap on the waypoints needed to create the desired route.

Another way to create a route is to do it graphically on the Chart display. First we need to select the route and make it active. Go to the Route page and select Cape Coral - Naples by tapping the greater than sign in the blue dot on the right side of the screen.  A pop up will show that it has been selected.

Next go back to the Chart display and create the first waypoint with a single tap near Sanibel Island. Tap the green marker in the upper right corner of the popup to create WP0001.



Next, double tap the waypoint name and a pop up window will give you the options of More Detail, Goto WP0001, Add WP to Route: Cape Coral - Naples, Edit Waypoint, Zoom In, Zoom Out and Maps.  We want to select the second option Add WP0001 to Route: Cape Coral - Naples.  Selecting this will add the waypoint to the route.

Single tap to create waypoints 2, 3 and 4. Double tap to add  them to the route.  This will take us down the coast to our destination which is Naples.

You will notice that a dashed blue line connects the waypoints from start to finish.

To navigate to the first waypoint in the route, select the GoTo button on the upper right side of the route edit display. A solid blue line will be shown on the chart from your current position to the first waypoint.

You will now see a red dot over the Waypoints soft key and the first waypoint on the chart display will also be highlighted in red.  The route will automatically advance to the next waypoint in the route if the boats position is within the arrival distance of the waypoint. If the arrival distance is set to None no automatic advancement will occur. You can manually advance to the next waypoint by selecting the Next button in the Routes display.

When a route is active, the waypoint being navigated to will have it's bearing, time to go, distance and crosstrack error displayed in the Instrument banner.  A solid blue line will show the track of the vessels current position to that waypoint.

To backup and protect all your waypoints and routes, iNavX has the ability to Import and Export your data to your X-Traverse account.  This is basically Cloud storage for your waypoints and routes. You will need to sign up and purchase an X-Traverse account on the Internet for $10.  Enter your account login and password in the iNavX app under Preferences.

The Import/Export function is on the Waypoints display.  Selecting this will give you the option of several file formats to export. You can export or email in GPX, KML and KMZ formats.

Learning to create and edit routes is key to making the most of your iNavX app. Spend some time practicing creating waypoints and routes and saving them to your X-Traverse account.

Tracks:

Tracks are simply a digital recording of the path that your vessel has taken over time.  iNavX will record up to the last 500 miles traveled. To start Tracking select the Track soft key at the bottom of the main navigation display. The Tracking display has the options to Export, Remove, Track Back, Record and Background Recording options.

Export allows you to download your tracks to your X-Traverse account in a GPX or KML file formats. Tracks can also be exported to Facebook, email or opened in iNavX.  This is a fun way to share your adventures with your family and friends and backup you tracks. Your Facebook account will need to be linked to your X-Traverse account under Preferences. An Account button also exists on the top of the Track display. Use this to link your Facebook account.

The Remove option is the way to delete unwanted track logs. Track Back is a powerful tool that allows you to create and navigate to a track back waypoint. This allows you to navigate back on the track you previously traversed. 

To start Tracking select Hi, Med, or Lo in the Record section. To stop tracking select Off. The Hi setting records up to 50 NM at the highest resolution. Med records up to 250 NM and Lo records up to 500 NM. The recorded tracks and statistics for those tracks are listed below on the Tracks display.

Another neat feature is the Background Recording. Even with with the iNavX app suspended it will continue to record track information. Make sure to have your device plugged into power, if not, it will drain your battery rather quickly.  This feature will only work with the devices Location services.

I hope you are following all of this. If you have any questions, please comment.  As you can see, Routes and Tracks are two powerful tools that iNavx has to help you navigate. My next post will cover Instruments.  

~~~~Sail On~~~~~