# Circle Of Position Navigation — Sun Navigation > Sun-based navigation system for boats, independent of satellite signals. (iPhone/iPad app by Helmut Hoffrichter.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-of-position-navigation/id1540967031 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Helmut Hoffrichter](https://appshunter.io/developer/1540967033) - Category: Navigation, Travel - Price: $8.99 - Rating: 2.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 6 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 712 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2021-07-12 - Data updated: 2026-08-28 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-of-position-navigation/id1540967031/reviews.md ## What is Circle Of Position Navigation? The app enables navigation with the sun and is comparable to satellite navigation on a chart plotter. A sextant is needed because, unlike satellites, the sun does not emit radio signals. The distance to an observer must therefore be measured manually with a sextant from the earth. For a position determination only the times and the sextant readings of two observations to be entered. The position is immediately displayed as a ship symbol on an electronic map. A track of the journey is displayed based on the positions determined and the data from an integrated dead reckoning module. So, the app can be used by anyone without any knowledge of celestial navigation. The sun cannot be confused with any other star and is available all day. Navigating with stars requires specialist knowledge so that stars can be reliably identified. At night the height of stars cannot be measured because the horizon is not visible. With this app it is now possible to have a real second independent navigation system on board that anyone can use immediately, even in stressful situations and without prior instruction. Celestial navigation is a demonstrably a valid and safe navigation method. Sailors should always be able to master and use classic celestial navigation. A failure of satellite navigation is difficult to imagine, but not impossible. A lot of money is spent each year on buying and maintaining yacht safety equipment in case of rare incidents that normally do not happen, but very little is done or available in the event of satellite navigation failure. This app makes it very easy to meet the requirements for navigational safety of the ship and crew. It is professional system and makes it possible to check the functionality of the on board satellite navigation electronics with a totally independent system. For some sailors, classic celestial navigation is even a passion, finding the way only with the help of the heavens. After all, sailing itself is a historical form of travel. The app based on the ideas of the renowned German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss in 1809. His solution was way ahead of its time. A position is calculated from the heights of two celestial bodies, or the sun at two different times and entered on a nautical chart. Satellite navigation works similar way. Since there were no computers at that time sailors invented graphical approximation methods and only these methods are in use to this day. They are extremely complex and time-consuming and require a high level of knowledge of mathematics. In our modern times this greatly reduces the general appeal of celestial navigation as a backup system for safety at sea. Compared to the commonly known graphical Marcq St. Hilaire method this app offers considerable advantages: 1. 1.There are no errors when measuring heights above 70 degrees. 2. 2.The time between two observations of the sun can be much shorter. 3. 3.To calculate a position, no DR-Position is necessary. 4. 4.The calculation algorithm is precise and is not an approximation. The app includes the following functions: 1. 1.Automatically altitude corrections of sextant readings. 2. 2.An additional use of the noon latitude is possible. 3. 3.Module for dead reckoning with track recording. 4. 4.Map-download-function. 5. 5.Zoom function from the whole Earth down to the yacht harbor. 6. 6.Distance measurement from the ship's position to a destination. 7. 7.Representation of circles of position on the globe. 8. 8.Navigation simulator beside to an ongoing navigation. 9. 9.Sun almanac until 31. December 2040 in a data base. 10. 10.Detailed description in a help file. Never before has it been so easy to navigate with the sun. No mathematics, no drawing and no searching in complicated tables. With this app celestial navigation becomes fun instead of arduous. Even if the accuracy of astronavigation takes getting used to at first, with this app and a cheap plastic sextant you are safer on the sea. ## Key features - Sun navigation system - Independent backup navigation - Electronic map display - Journey track display - Dead reckoning module - No celestial navigation knowledge needed ## Recent user reviews (6 of 6) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-of-position-navigation/id1540967031/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Great app! Please also support artificial horizons 😊 *2025-04-05* Great having an app that does true calculations, not based on inaccurate graphical "intercept" methods. And that also does not need an "assumed position" to start the calculations. Two features would be nice: supporting an artificial horizon by having a third option besides upper and lower ("centered"), and, maybe also allowing for a third measurement. ### 3/5 — Bitte ach in Deutsch *2024-06-27* Leider hieß es mal in einem Yacht bericht ... eine Gratis App .... 
OK, um sonst ist der .... 
Aber dann, für den Preis würde ich mich über eine Aktualisierung mit möglichkeit der Spachwahl: Deutsch freuen! ! ! Dürfte ja nicht das Problem sein als Lanzmann und deckt auch weite Teile Europas ab ;-) Danke für Ihre Inititive dies zu programieren. BG peter ### 4/5 — Kein Karten-Download möglich *2024-02-20* Download scheitert am timeout - egal wie groß der Kartenausschnitt gewählt ist. 20.02.2024 **Developer response:** Um die Karten weiter in der gewohnten Weise nutzen zu können, war ein Wechsel des Kartenservers nötig geworden. Im Zusammenhang mit dieser Arbeit wurde die bisher tiefste Zoomstufe entfernt, wodurch die Karten jetzt wesentlich schneller geladen werden können. Die Version 1.0.3 enthält diese Änderungen und ein Kartendownload ist wieder möglich. ### 5/5 — Download Maps nicht möglich *2024-02-15* Die App an sich ist cool. Leider ist es mir bisher nicht gelungen eine Karte herunterzuladen. Es kommt seit Tagen immer time out Fehler. Am Internet Zugang liegt es nicht. Downloads funktionieren problemlos. Man sieht auch keinen Fortschritt. Eine Meldung bei Apple wurde bisher nicht beantwortet >48h her. Hier könnte etwas mehr Service Abhilfe schaffen. **Developer response:** Um die Karten weiter in der gewohnten Weise nutzen zu können, war ein Wechsel des Kartenservers nötig geworden. Im Zusammenhang mit dieser Arbeit wurde die bisher tiefste Zoomstufe entfernt, wodurch die Karten jetzt wesentlich schneller geladen werden können. Die Version 1.0.3 enthält diese Änderungen und ein Kartendownload ist wieder möglich. ### 2/5 — Would be a great app, if it provided a result *2022-09-20* I take sextant readings, but get no results. I’ve tried everything. Needs work ### 5/5 — Hilfreich und gut gemacht *2021-07-13* App eignet sich sowohl zum spielerischen Herumexperimentieren bzw. Übung des Umganges mit dem Sextanten als auch zur seriösen Ortsbestimmung mit dem Sextanten (Sonnenstand) für den Notfall, wenn das GPS-Signal aus irgendeinem Grund nicht mehr verfügbar sein sollte. Einzige mir bekannte App, die rein mathematisch den Ort bestimmt ohne notwendige vorherige Schätzung der Position. Vielen Dank an den Entwickler ## Frequently asked questions about Circle Of Position Navigation ### What is Circle Of Position Navigation? Circle Of Position Navigation is a paid app that offers a sun-based navigation system for boats. It functions as an independent backup to satellite navigation, allowing users to determine their position using manual sextant readings and display it on an electronic map. ### How does Circle Of Position Navigation work? The app requires manual sextant readings of the sun's height and the time of observation. These inputs are then used to calculate and display the user's position as a ship symbol on an electronic map, with a track of the journey also being shown. ### Do I need to know celestial navigation to use Circle Of Position Navigation? No, the app is designed so that anyone can use it without prior knowledge of celestial navigation. The sun is used as the celestial body, which is easily identifiable and available all day, unlike stars. ### What are the advantages of Circle Of Position Navigation over traditional methods? Compared to traditional graphical methods, this app offers advantages such as no errors when measuring heights above 70 degrees, shorter time between observations, and no DR-position being necessary for calculation. ### Is Circle Of Position Navigation reliable as a backup system? Yes, celestial navigation is a demonstrably valid and safe navigation method. This app provides a real, second independent navigation system that can be crucial in the event of satellite navigation failure. ### What devices is Circle Of Position Navigation compatible with? Circle Of Position Navigation is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed for use on iOS platforms. ### What is the price of Circle Of Position Navigation? Circle Of Position Navigation is a paid app, priced at $8.99. This one-time purchase provides access to its full functionality. ### How often is Circle Of Position Navigation updated? The latest version of Circle Of Position Navigation is 1.0.4, last updated on January 6, 2025. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.0.4 — 2025-01-06 updated dead reckoning algorithm, fixed small errors ### 1.0.3 — 2024-02-23 changed map server ### 1.0.2 — 2023-07-01 Added automatic date change ### 1.0.1 — 2021-07-14 New name that better matches the essence of the application ### 1.0 — 2021-07-09 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Circle Of Position Navigation | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Celestial Navigation 360](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/celestial-navigation-360/id6747285959) | — | Free | Navigation | | [Anchor Sentry](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anchor-sentry/id1422478182) | 4.0 (4) | $3.99 | Navigation | | [Ocean Signal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ocean-signal/id1453183713) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Navigation | | [Sextant Calculator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sextant-calculator/id6757097850) | — | $1.00 | Navigation | | [Navarea Warnings (Navtex)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navarea-warnings-navtex/id1368856370) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Navigation | | [CH16](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ch16/id6761360179) | — | Free | Navigation | ## Related topics [celestial navigation 360](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/celestial-navigation-360) · [ez celestial navigation](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ez-celestial-navigation) · [navigation student](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/navigation-student) · [sextant navigation](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sextant-navigation) · [helmit](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/helmit) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*