NaAVIC vs Hip Charts

NaAVIC is a free Electronic Chart System in your pocket that will make marine navigation easy, safe, reliable, and fun. This free app is for recreational boaters who want to navigate the surrounding waters safely while exploring new and interesting locations to fish, dive, eat etc. The app offers a range of features to make marine navigation easier and reliable that are delivered through a clear and intuitive interface designed specifically for mobile devices and tablets. By utilizing a cloud-based approach with data streaming, the NaAVIC ECS enables all members of an expedition to more actively engage in the voyage as well as to share that voyage with fellow ‘marine friends’, hence building a community of like-minded users. Features: - Supports IHO S-57 charts and S-52 presentation - Comprehensive route creation and navigation - Offline navigation - Displays boat position, speed, and course - Notifications and alarms - Find recreational hotspots - Measure distances - Stream additional data layers over the base map - Point of Interest Quick Start Guide: https://naavic.net/NaAVICQuickStarGuide.pdf

Hip Charts brings NOAA ENC nautical charts to your iPhone—completely free. Pan and zoom the map and official NOAA charts load automatically over Wi‑Fi or cellular. Download chart areas ahead of time for offline use on the water, including custom polygon boundaries. Measure distances right on the chart. Choose how charts look: • Default — NOAA’s standard chart tiles; fast and simple • Customized — adjust depth units, text size, harbor/shoreline structures (breakwaters, piers, docks), routes and marina info, and sharper rendering Need help reading symbols? Open Settings → Chart Legend for NOAA’s official U.S. Chart No. 1. Everything in the app is free. No subscriptions, no paywall. This app does not fulfill chart carriage requirements for regulated commercial vessels under Titles 33 and 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations.