FAQs

You can view KML and GPX files on your iOS devices and take our files with you wherever you go.

KML Files

KML files need Google Earth^TM for iOS devices installed on your device. Once installed follow the procedures demonstrated in this video to open the KML files.

Turn Your iPad^® into a GPS

iPad® models equiped with cellular and Wi-Fi® have a built in GPS chip that allows you to use your iPad® like a stand-alone GPS unit. Customers have reported that installing Navionics full paid version and an app, you can use your unit like a GPS while out on the water. One app reported to work well is Bad Elf which uses the data from KML files. So purchase our KML files for this Navionics^® / Bad Elf combo.

Here are instructions submitted by our customer Ken 9/5/2013:

Here is how to load the Florida Go Fishing ("FGF") reef GPX waypoints files from an existing program on a home windows PC to an iPad^® or whatever Apple^® device is being used.

If the charts are being downloaded from FGF for the first time, just do step 1 and then go to the FGF site and download GPX fies directly onto the iPad^® .

1. Determine (and download to the iPad^®) whatever marine navigation program you want -- from user comments, the best ones for iPads®seem to be iNavX and Navionics. Download charts to the software on the iPad^®. I use iNavX with the NOAA US East and Gulf charts (free) and the Navionics HD South US ($49.99). Now plan to download the FGF gpx waypoints from the PC to the iPad^®.

2. Set up iCloud® on each of the home computer and the iPad®(very easy to do).

3. Set up an iCloud® email (xxxxx.icloud.com) and a password (I use my iTunes account password). For future use, add the iCloud email address to home computer "contacts" list.

4. From home PC email (gmail, comcast, yahoo, etc.), send a new email to the iCloud email address and attach the GPX files obtained through FGF (e.g., lee county, charlotte county...)

5. Then, on the iPad®, open the email sent to the iCloud address. Press and hold the icon for the gpx file until "add to iNavX" (or whatever software has been installed). Hit "yes" and the waypoints automatically load to all of the charts in the software.

That's it; very easy to do.

Note only iPads®with cellular and wifi have built in GPS chips, even though the downloaded software and downloaded charts work without (or out of range) of cellular or Wi-Fi^®.

9/8/2013 A Message from Ken

"I just returned from boating with the iPad as my gps. It works just like a regular marine gps, only better, with tracking, showing current location (a small arrow moves across the chart), speed, ETA, etc. I used both the NOAA charts (just like paper charts) and the Navionics charts (more detail). Everything worked great. The same apps can be used on iPhone as well, for those who are OK with the smaller screen.

My research on several forums showed many mariners choose iPad as their gps for offshore use, travelling from US to England, navigating islands in the Pacific, etc. Most relegate their Raytheon, etc., to backup status. Also, with appropriate connections, the iPad can be a sounding device for depth and fish finding, an engine monitor (temp, rpm, oil pressure, etc.), autopilot, depth alarm, windspeed, appropriate tacking choices for sailboats, and maintain geocaching files, which allows the user to see comments made by users on reefs, marinas, fishing sots, hazards, etc., and also allow the user to post comments.

I'd have to say, all in all, tablets will replace gps only units."

Important: America Go Fishing does not provide support for smartphones or tablets. We also do not provide support for installed apps that display our waypoints. We do not endorse any devices, apps or software mentioned on our website and cannot guarantee they work with your device.