Celestial by Navimatics app for iPhone and iPad
Developer: Navimatics Corporation
First release : 20 Sep 2010
App size: 14.18 Mb
Celestial is a complete package for celestial navigation on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. It can perform celestial sight reductions, calculate fixes, present them visually, manage sights on multiple trips and assist in sight planning. It also includes a complete Almanac of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars. All this for the price of the Nautical Almanac for a single year!
In detail:
- Supports quick sight reduction. Enter all sight values to quickly calculate an intercept or to double-check your own manual sight reduction.
- Includes a comprehensive trip manager that allows you to manage sights taken during a trip. Keep your sights with you forever!
- Multiple sights can be grouped and averaged together and a fix can be calculated. Lines of Position (LOPs) and fixes can be plotted on a virtual plotting sheet.
- Running fixes are supported!
- Includes a star finder and times of rise/set phenomena. Plan your sights and be on deck when it is time.
- Includes the complete Almanac of the Sun, Moon, planets, 57 navigational stars, Aries and Polaris for the years 1980-2099.
- Context-sensitive screen help for every screen so you always know what the intended function of the software is.
- Night mode preserves your night vision.
All sight reduction algorithms are based on the algorithms described in the Nautical Almanac (Sight Reduction Procedures). Celestial object positions are predicted using software from the US Naval Observatory.
Visit http://navimatics.com or search for "navimatics" in the AppStore for additional navigation products.
Latest reviews of Celestial by Navimatics app for iPhone and iPad
It works perfectly. I had a problem with the interpretation regarding the Ha value, inputing Hs, IE and HoE. However, Navimatics gave me immediate support. It deserves 5 stars compared to other similar Apps I have bought in vain.
First, my comments are based as a Prof Mariner w/ 18 years of ocean sailing, Academy grad, and current Cel Nav Teacher. Out of the box this app is easy to use, pages are laid out great. Data entry is easy to enter. Use the help section first and you have no problems, even though I went staight into it, it corrected the few wrong entries I made (on purpose), such as Lat & Long number configurations. Use the app in class to check USCG problems. Some differances found with resulting intercept distances, but explainable and sensible based on assumed DR Lat or DR Lat with course and speed. Initially had low memory problem on iP4, but Navimatics Tech support staff returned email off of their web site in less than 24 hours, answered question and apologized, what more can you ask for? I did not use TRIP page function, so can not comment on this page. Txt can be a bit small on iP4, but hey, screen is small, bet this app is awesome on iPad. I have a few more suggestions to send them to make the app more informative, such as the ability to add Zone Discription and have Zone Time displayed in Sight and Almanac pages, but trival issues. Only major addition I would like to see our SAILINGS, but only practical field use ones; Parrellel, Mercator and Great Circle Dist & Initial Course and Lat/Long Vertex points along GC route. I highly recommend this app. A bit pricey, yes, but I feel worth it compared to a Nav Calculator or cost per hour doing cel nav reductions long hand in the field.
Im a professional mariner and have been looking for an app for celestial navigation for a long time. This seems likes good start, I hope some updates will include sailings and compass correction. Although a little pricey, its nothing compared to the $80 app. I gladly took a chance downloading this app, and so far looks good. Im a big fan of celestial navigation and I hope for generations to come this art will be passed on. Now that my cadet days are over, and Im in the world of coastwise tankers I try to do celestial whenever possible to keep my skills toned. I cant wait to try out the app and compare to my long handed calcs.
Pretty much basic. Should make controls more user friendly and add GPS input for time, LAT & LONG as an option. Lacks sight planner and basic navigational mathematics like rhumb line and great circle sailing. No option for imperial/metric input.
I have been practicing celestial navigation since 1968 and have recently looking for a good application for my iPhone and iPad (even old horses sometimes learn new tricks). Celestial by Navimatics is well thought out and a snap to use after just a little practice; I look forward to using it on my next passage. Ive run a bunch of star sights and sun line through the program and they all check out. There are a few tweaks and additions that will make the application even better and their customer service is absolutely the best I have encountered. I will be looking into other programs by Navimatics.