TZ iBoat – Marine Navigation

TZiBoat is where I plan routes and what I use when on the water. The browser access is brilliant for checking and refining. Auto pilot connection, weather, AIS… search, live navigational lights feature. So good.

Edit 2: Always evolving making boating life easier. Edit: So impressed, around 6 weeks later the chart has been updated with the depth we experienced. After trialling 2 apps over Christmas, contacting both for support well TZ iBoat wins hands down (the other well known app just shook this issue off with no assistance to fix). Will continue to use this app both very affordable and extremely easy to use lots of amazing features and very easy to deal with, thank you Simon from TZ. ………… Communication is great if there’s an issue with depth. However not sure how long it takes for charts to be updated. Watch this space!

Edit: So impressed, around 6 weeks later the chart has been updated with the depth we experienced. After trialling 2 apps over Christmas, contacting both for support well TZ iBoat wins hands down (the other well know app just shook this issue off with no assistance to fix). Will continue to use this app both very affordable and extremely easy to use lots of amazing features and very easy to deal with, thank you Simon from TZ. ………… Communication is great if there’s an issue with depth. However not sure how long it takes for charts to be updated. Watch this space!

On board I have the TZiBoat app. Typically it has all my accurate routes; the ones I have adjusted to be just right. I also see these routes on the desktop at home when logged into the web app. All the existing routes update across my devices and I can create new ones on the desktop as well. The desktop displays with the TZ chart - so so good!! At present I export the routes to a card to put into my Raymarine plotter, but in my wish list I’m planning to migrate to their plotter (professional) Timezero application which I believe allows you to join routes.

I really like the features of the new version of this app (apart from slow boot up) But it’s simply not competitive when it comes to purchasing charts at more than 10 times the cost of the competition! Another legacy software company that may get left behind… Edit. Now with TZ Maps. Solving my biggest concern. So I’ve taken another look and as a commercial skipper and also a live-aboard cruiser. I’ve used all the top 4 brands MFD. And a lot of PC/IPad navigation software. And Time Zero has always been best practice in my opinion. And TZ iBoat is the best option at the moment for an all in one iPad navigation app. And I look forward to see what new features are to come from the long time marine navigation specialists.

Can’t figure this thing out at all. It’s like everything is totally counter intuitive.

I really like this this app. But here is to many pros and cons. I do understand people have to money.

I downloaded the app but it doesn’t show the depth you need to buy it

This is a good program but overly complicated to operate. I have the DRS4W radar and iAISTX transponder. The initial setup of all this is somewhat complicated and requires time to get right. But it will work. The greatest problem with TZ iBoat is, it’s complicated routing procedure, turning routes on and off. The worst iBoat “feature” is assuming in the bottom right hand corner box of the screen assuming that the user always wants to record or visualise a trip. There must also be a better way to turn tracking and routes on and off, and program/store a route. It would be better to always show course and speed in its place. If you do not use routes every day, it’s almost impossible to remember how to program and use them in TZ, and using the top selection bars to turn on and off. Suggest use words rather than forgettable symbols. If I was to say anything to the TZ program designers, it would be that everything needs to be simplified down to the most basic level. The routing creation, selection, turning on and off is cumbersome. The assumption that you always wish to record a trip in the lower right hand corner is clutter on the screen. (Consider reversing the position of the start stop box with the “swipe right” instrument information that appears on the left of the screen.) The connection of an AIS transponder and to the DRS4W in the instruction manual could be expanded upon. The description of how to interface the DRS4W with the AIS data, and the radar could be expanded upon. However, it’s incredible that you can have charts, radar and AIS on the windscreen. All of that said, and despite its quirkiness, the TZ program does seem to do everything it’s intended. However, if you cannot remember how to operate the routes, then this function will not work for the user who wishes to quickly program the route. If you do recall how to do it, then the routing procedure is very difficult. Navionics routing procedure is much easier.

Loading gpx files for search and rescue into TZ2 is a breeze. Makes for accurate coverage without the need to enter points whilst underway.