- ISailor offers more advanced features, however unlocking each one will incur an extra charge. Weather, tides, and sailing guides all have associated one-year subscription costs, and although NMEA.
- This interactive book provides a step by step guide to using Transas Marine iSailor and Marine Tides Planner, specifically for route planning on the iPad. With supporting iOS8 iPad screen views showing how to add, insert and otherwise manage waypoints and co-ordinates within new or already exis.
Features useful for navigation. The application uses the TX-97 format marine vector charts, rated among the best in the industry. Continuous software improvements and updates. Regular chart updates. Fast operation speed. User-friendly interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
General information about Transas iSailor
I bought the chart folio, but it doesn’t download
How to install application?
How to download a chart folio?
How to purchase charts for Transas iSailor app?
I lost charts after the latest upgrade
Installation of previously purchased charts
Chart orientation
Route planning
User layers (Objects)
ERBL tool
How Transas iSailor determines location?
If I have an iPad without a sim card installed, do I need to have a wifi to use iSailor?
May I use the application when my device is outside of cellphone range?
May I use Transas iSailor charts when my iPhone/iPad is outside of Wi-Fi?
Positioning by connection to the own AIS Class B transiver
Isailor On Macbook
Purchasing of the “AIS” option
Connection to AIS Class B transponder
AIS target presentation on chart
AIS target data
Transas iSailor is compatible with iOS devices ( ipods, iphones, ipads) and supports the following file formats : GPX | KMZ | KML
scroll to topSeveral tips which help:
1. We recommend to download charts when your device is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Please don't close the application until the loading process is completed.
2. If the chart is loaded for a long time (more than one hour) we recommend to reinstall the application and start the loading process once again (tap 'Buy' in the application Charts Store).
Please note that you're charged only ONCE for the folio chosen (if you use the same account). That means that you will NOT pay for the same folio twice. (iTunes stores information about all your purchases). That also means that you may download the same folio both on your iPhone and iPad. And you will not be extra charged.
scroll to topWe strongly recommend that the app should be loaded with your device connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi and to the power supply unit.
- Open the App Store;
- Find the Transas iSailor app;
- Check that the correct current iTunes login account (Apple ID) is used on the device;
- Install the Transas iSailor application on the device.
Chart folios are available in iTunes via iSailor application.
Let us demonstrate the process on the example of free folio download.
You shall follow some easy steps:
2. Then select the folio
3. Press the button “Free” (in case of purchase, it will be the button with the price)
5. The chart folio is loading now
7. In the Chart Store downloaded/purchased folio will be marked as “Installed”
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You can purchase charts for iSailor only via the “Chart store” in-app.
The iTunes has information on all the in-app purchases you made in the “Chart store” section of the Transas iSailor app. Please use the correct current iTunes login account (Apple ID). Always use the same iTunes login account (Apple ID), because it is only in this case that you can use the free 'Restore' procedure for free downloading and installation of all the previously purchased charts in future.
Before starting the purchasing process please check the “Restrictions” and “In-App Purchases” settings on the device:
Run the iSailor app.
Check that the price information are available for the all the 'Paid folios'.
Find the necessary chart folio in the “Paid folio” section and purchase it.
Installation usually takes a few minutes, but sometimes the process is interrupted by network failures or exit from the program, etc.
In such cases, the purchased folio is available in the 'Folios already paid for' section with the 'Free' status.
If the status is 'Free' the download process should be restarted manually.
Just tap on the status and wait until it changes to “Installed”.
Please don't close the application until the loading process is completed!
The Apple iTunes maintains a record of all purchases and downloads made from within the Transas iSailor application. Any previously purchased Chart Folios are maintained as a permanent record. Problems may occur if the iTunes login used during Chart Folio purchase is not identical to the login in information on the device.
In the event that a Chart Folio restore is necessary the following procedure will assist the reinstallation of the Chart Folios as necessary.
1. The first step to “restore” Chart Folios is to identify the iTunes Login credentials used to purchase the Chart Folios. This information is located on the iTunes receipt received after purchase. | 2. When the original login has been identified, ensure that the same login information is currently set on the iPad/iPhone. | |
3. If the login credentials on the device do not match those indicated on the iTunes receipt, delete the application from the device and reinstall from the device itself using the login information as indicated on the iTunes receipt. (It is recommended to download the iSailor application only when connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi). | ||
4. In case if the login in the device matches the one that is indicated on the iTunes receipt or after the iSailor has been reinstalled using the correct login credentials, tap the Chart Store from within the iSailor application. Please ensure that price information is available for all “paid” folios. In the upper, right hand corner of the Chart Store screen is a “Restore” button. Tap this button and confirm the restoration. Please do not close the application until the loading process is complete. | When the process has been completed, check that all previously purchased Chart Folios are available for use on the device. This information is found within the Chart Store (“Folios already paid for” section) and will be indicated by a “Installed” designation. | |
If previously purchased Chart Folios are not restored using this process or in the event that further assistance is necessary, please forward to us an Activity/Application Log from the iSailor application along with copies of any iTunes receipts for Chart Folio purchases.
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The “Location” menu item is needed for following actions:
“North Up” / “Course Up” / “Head Up” buttons – Select the Chart orientation during sailing mode: North Up, Course-Up (by Course-Over-Ground data from internal or external GPS) or Head-Up (at the moment only internal Apple fluxgate compass is supported in Head Up mode);
scroll to topGo to the “Routes & Tracks” layout.
This method can be also used for the route creation in the digital format. I.e. route may be plotted graphically at first – as preliminary route, and later all Waypoints can be corrected manually in the digital format, by their corrections of their latitude and longitude data.
scroll to topTo add new “User Object”, drag icon from the relevant button and drop it on the chart in the required position.
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ERBL – Electronic Range and Bearing Line
The function is intended for obtaining bearing and distance for the centre of the information cursor to the selected point. It operates jointly with switched ON the information cursor: Free “Cursor / Locator Tool”.
To use it, touch the screen to acquire (press and hold) the cursor centre (intersection of lines) and move it to the necessary point on the screen. Touch the screen with the thumb in an arbitrary point. In the touch point, an orange-coloured circle and reference point will appear.
As any of the points moves on the screen, values of bearing and distance from the cursor centre point (intersection of lines) to the point on the circle are displayed in the orange-coloured oval, located in the top right corner of the display.
To turn off ERBL, - short-tap the cursor centre or reference point on the circle.
Own ship referenced ERBL.
The function is intended for obtaining values of bearing and distance from the own ship to the selected point. As the own ship moves, the reference point moves together with the ship.
To use it, touch the own ship symbol and by keeping the finger on the screen move it to the necessary direction. A blue-coloured circle and reference point will appear.
As the own ship or reference point moves on the screen, values of bearing and distance from the own ship current position to the reference point on the circle are displayed in the blue oval.
To turn off, short-tap the own ship symbol or reference point on the circle.
scroll to topTransas iSailor determines location using Apple’s internal “Location Service”. The app can receive a signal about current position from the cell tower, internal Apple’s “Assisted GPS” or external GPS which can work as an internal service.
While being out of range of cell towers, the device defines the position using GPS.
iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone5 are by default equipped with internal “Assisted GPS” unit, which is compatible with iSailor.
There are two models of iPad:
1. iPad Wi-Fi or iPad mini Wi-Fi (without “Assisted GPS” unit. Compatible with iSailor, but always requires an additional external GPS receiver).
2. iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular or iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular (with internal “Assisted GPS” unit. Compatible with iSailor).
If you have an iPad Wi-Fi model you still may run iSailor on it as internal location service in this device is available.
In this case you have to use any external GPS devices such as:
http://xgps150.dualav.com/
http://bad-elf.com/products/gps/
etc.
Please switch on 'Location Service' on your device.
or
Sometimes after the installation of iSailor app on device, information about iSailor is unavailable in the list of apps in Location Services. In this case it is necessary to Power OFF the device. After switching ON please check information about iSailor app in Location Services list again.
Additional important information
Assisted GPS (A-GPS or AGPS) is a very fast system which can improve the startup performance or 'cold startup' of the device with integrated GPS satellite-based positioning system. But in some cases a new devices need to be up to 30 min. (in average 15-25 min.) under the clear sky at first time to receive 'almanac' and other information directly from GPS satellites. Work of internal GPS unit in iPad device inside of the ship, boat, etc. depends on the individual material properties of the hull, which in some cases can block the radio signals from GPS satellites on the path to the Apple's device.
scroll to topAll downloaded nautical charts will be stored in memory of the device.Transas iSailor determines location using Apple’s internal “Location Service”.
The app can receive a signal about current position from cell tower, internal Apple’s “Assisted GPS” or external GPS which can work as an internal service.
While being out of range of cell towers, the device defines the position using GPS.
iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 are by default equipped with internal “Assisted GPS” unit, which is compatible with iSailor.
There are two new models of an iPad 1. iPad Wi-Fi (without “Assisted GPS” unit. Compatible with iSailor, but always requires an additional external GPS receiver).
2. iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (with internal “Assisted GPS” unit. Compatible with iSailor).
If you have an iPad Wi-Fi model you still may run iSailor on it as internal location service in this device is available.
In this case you have to use any external GPS devices such as:
http://xgps150.dualav.com/
http://bad-elf.com/products/gps/
Yes, you may. If your iPhone or iPad has an inbuilt Assisted GPS (models iPhone 3, 3G, 4, 4S; iPad 3G, iPad 2 3G, iPad HD 4G), it will use GPS while being out of cellphone range.
Though even if you have a Wi-Fi only model, you may use an external GPS device or a personal hot spot function (if this option is not prohibited by the network operator) for location data transmission from iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S to iPad.
For more info please read further:
Transas iSailor determines location using Apple’s internal “Location Service”.
The app can receive a signal about current position from cell tower, internal Apple’s “Assisted GPS” or external GPS which can work as an internal service (including iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S).
Sometimes after the installation of iSailor app on device, information about iSailor is unavailable in the list of apps in Location Services. In this case it is necessary to Power OFF the device. After switching ON please check information about iSailor app in Location Services list again.
While being out of range of cell towers, the device defines the position using GPS.
iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S are by default equipped with internal “Assisted GPS” unit, which is compatible with iSailor.
There are two new models of an iPad
1. iPad Wi-Fi (without “Assisted GPS” unit. Compatible with iSailor, but always requires an additional external GPS receiver).
2. iPad Wi-Fi + 4G (with internal “Assisted GPS” unit. Compatible with iSailor).
If you have an iPad Wi-Fi model you still may run iSailor on it as internal location service in this device is available.
Isailor On Mac Download
In this case you have to use the personal hot spot function (if this option is not prohibited by the network operator) connecting GPS from iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S to iPad or use any external GPS devices such as:
http://xgps150.dualav.com/
http://bad-elf.com/products/gps/
Please make sure that the 'Location Service' on your device is switched on.
scroll to topYes, you may. When you buy a chart folio, it is downloaded and saved onto your device. It means that you may use it even when out of cellphone range or Wi-Fi zone.
scroll to topIf you have an AIS class B transponder, you can use its GPS to provide the boat position, speed and course over the ground in the iSailor app.
Please note that the boat position data can only be received via the TCP or UDP from the VDO sentences (VDO#: 18, 19, 24a/24b).
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The iSailor now supports the real-time display of AIS targets (Class A and Class B) on the Transas charts from the own ship AIS transponder (or receiver).
To enable AIS option, it is necessary to make an In-App Purchase from the Apple Store, but once it is done, you will be able to receive AIS target data from any Wi-Fi enabled AIS transponder or receiver. The data connection can be via TCP (single device) or UDP (multiple devices), and its passes the standard VDM sentences, so that all Class A and Class B AIS targets are displayed on the chart.
In addition, AIS-GPS data on your own boat position, course and speed can be received over the same Wi-Fi connection from AIS, providing a more accurate and reliable boat position than you get from the iPad/iPhone’s internal GPS. This also has the benefit of allowing non-3G iPads that do not have an internal GPS to be used for navigation, or even a low cost iPod Touch.
NOTE: Currently only VDO output sentences 18, 19 (from AIS Class B transponders or receivers) are used to provide your own boat position, but in the future other standard NMEA GPS messages (like RMC, GLL, VTG, GGA) will be also supported via Wi-Fi connection!
To get AIS data in the iSailor you just need two things:
1) AIS transmitter or receiver
2) Wi-Fi transmitter
In some cases both elements can be available in one device.
In what follows you can find the following information:
• How to connect Apple device to Wi-Fi transmitter;
• How to connect or disconnect iSailor to/from Wi-Fi transmitter;
• How to look up information on AIS objects (targets);
• How to look up Own Ship Data from AIS;
• Default settings for Digital Yacht or similar devices.
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Lost AIS targets are shown with the “red cross” symbol on top. It means that AIS target information was not updated in the defined time period, given in the below mentioned table. After the corresponding timeout the “Lost AIS target” symbol will be dropped from the chart.
| Type | Status | Lost target timeout from latest received VDM message | Drop target timeout from latest received VDM message |
| Slow speed | Target speed is less than 3kn | 380 sec | 410 sec |
| Middle speed | Target speed is in range of 3-23 kn | 40 sec | 30 sec |
| High speed | Target Speed is more than 23 kn | 30 sec | 60 sec |
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Isailor On Machine
Switch the “Information cursor/Locator tool” ON (use a long tap) and then select an AIS target.
Isailor On Mac Os
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All rights reserved.