In addition to Vesper Marine's own mobile app, both smartAIS transponders are supported by a growing set of third party mobile apps. smartAIS works with most third party apps so if it isn't listed here look for whether the app supports GPS and AIS data over WiFi (TCP). If so, then it will work great with either the WatchMate Vision or WatchMate XB-8000.
| App | GPS | AIS | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Vesper Marine WatchMate App
 |
 |
|
Vesper Marine's free smartAIS app for configuration, monitoring and remote control. Supports both iPhone and iPad. You can view targets on a "radar" plotting screen with both north-up and heading-up orientations. Besides being a remote control for your smartAIS transponder, it can adjust and mute collision, anchor and man overboard alarms remotely and when used with WatchMate Vision it has the ability to filter targets to reduce the clutter of icons shown by all other apps. It does this by eliminating targets which don't pose a collision risk. Set your anchor watch on both WatchMate Vision and WatchMate XB-8000 and monitor your position relative to the anchor. Adjust anchor position and view "breadcrumbs" of your positions so you can easily visualize your swinging circle. Take advantage of the unique safety-enhancing capabilities in the WatchMate XB-8000. It's the world's first "black box" AIS with built-in collision warnings, anchor watch and man overboard alarms and this app is your control center. Alarms can be managed by this app but most importantly the app does not have to be active or switched on for an alarm to be triggered by the XB-8000. Just hook up our external alarm or another buzzer to the XB-8000. All other apps take time for AIS targets to be received and displayed. This is because AIS transmissions occur on a periodic interval. But the Vesper Marine WatchMate app has instant target acquisition. This means that as soon as you start the app or switch on your iPhone/iPad all the previously received vessel positions and target names are displayed all at once. You can have a list or plot them visually and they all appear immediately. With any other app this takes several minutes. This capability is available because of the unique integration of the WatchMate app with the Vesper Marine XB-8000 and WatchMate Vision AIS transponders. |
| iNavX | |
|
Overlays AIS targets on charts. Free charts available for some regions. Subscription required for other regions and chart formats. Supports Navionics charts. |
| Navionics | |
|
One of the most popular navigation apps available for Android and IOS devices Navionics incorporates nautical charts with map, satellite and terrain overlays, intuitive interface for panning and zooming. Tap on the chart to mark a waypoint or display local information on weather and tides, wind forecasts, currents and moon/sun phases. The app is free, but you must purchase charts for regions and other upgrades such as auto-routing and advanced map options. |
| TZ iBoat | |
|
This revolutionary chart engine app allows for scrolling, zooming and rotating your charts in 2D and 3D mode. Create waypoints and routes, overlay tidal information and satellite photos. Plot your position in real-time and view other targets on the marine charts using the GPS and WiFi of your Vesper Marine smartAIS transponder. |
| SEAiq | |
|
Overlays AIS targets on charts. Compatible with a wide range of charts including ones you make yourself. There are several versions, including free ones, that are available for different chart formats. You can even create waypoints and upload them to many chart plotters over NMEA 0183. All versions work with WatchMate Vision. |
| Aqua Map | |
|
Available for both iOS and Android, Aqua map overlays AIS targets on charts. Download the best up-to-date Nautical Charts to safely enjoy the new boating season. With the Aqua Map Master transform your device in a real ChartPlotter. |
| Weather4D Routing & Navigation | |
|
An awesome weather, routing and navigation app. Overlays AIS targets on charts in day or night mode with the ability to trigger alarms based on CPA and TCPA. Supports the built-in VesperMarine transponder GPS. Displays charts originated by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and digitally processed by GeoGarage. Includes NMEA interface (2000 and 0183) to display instruments data (SOG, AWS, TWS, etc…) and autopilot control. This app provides also weather forecasts which can be animated in 3D HD and weather routing capabilities using GRIB files with over 35 weather/wave/current models and polar data as well as location management. |
| iSailor | |
|
iSailor has been recommended by many XB-8000 and WatchMate Vision owners. It's easy to use and has an excellent night mode. iSailor is free and you just pay for the charts within the app. There is also an in-app purchase required to make AIS/GPS over WiFi available. |
| iRegatta | |
|
Tactical regatta application as well as for cruising navigation. Includes features for navigating to GPS waypoints and keeping tracks. Plots AIS targets on a radar view. |
| NMEAremote | |
 |
NMEA multi-function instrument display with large digits and many pre-configured alarms. Doesn't display AIS targets yet but for GPS and NMEA instruments (wind, depth, speed, etc) this is a nice app. Has specific integration with Vision making it the easiest app to configure. |
| Garmin BlueChart | |
|
Designed to complement a chart plotter. BlueChart Mobile is meant as a trip planning aid, not as a primary navigation tool. Not compatible. |
| Plan2Nav | |
|
Designed to complement a chart plotter. Plan2Nav is meant as a trip planning aid, not as a primary navigation tool. Not compatible. |
Android
| App | GPS | AIS | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Vesper Marine WatchMate App
 |
|
|
Vesper Marine's free smartAIS app for configuration, monitoring and remote control. Supports Android phones and tablets. You can view targets on a "radar" plotting screen with both north-up and heading-up orientations. Besides being a remote control for your smartAIS transponder, it can adjust and mute collision, anchor and man overboard alarms remotely and when used with WatchMate Vision it has the ability to filter targets to reduce the clutter of icons shown by all other apps. It does this by eliminating targets which don't pose a collision risk. Set your anchor watch on both WatchMate Vision and WatchMate XB-8000 and monitor your position relative to the anchor. Adjust anchor position and view "breadcrumbs" of your positions so you can easily visualize your swinging circle. Take advantage of the unique safety-enhancing capabilities in the WatchMate XB-8000. It's the world's first "black box" AIS with built-in collision warnings, anchor watch, and man overboard alarms and this app is your control center. Alarms can be managed by this app but most importantly the app does not have to be active or switched on for an alarm to be triggered by the XB-8000. Just hook up our external alarm or another buzzer to the XB-8000. All other apps take time for AIS targets to be received and displayed. This is because AIS transmissions occur on a periodic interval. But the Vesper Marine WatchMate app has instant target acquisition. This means that as soon as you start the app or switch on your phone or tablet all the previously received vessel positions and target names are displayed all at once. You can have a list or plot them visually and they all appear immediately. With any other app, this takes several minutes. This capability is available because of the unique integration of the WatchMate app with the Vesper Marine XB-8000 and WatchMate Vision AIS transponders. |
| OpenCPN | |
|
Building upon the tradition and experience of OpenCPN for desktop computers, OpenCPN for Android brings many of the same features to the mobile platform. OpenCPN is a great piece of software and highly recommended. It is built and well supported by a worldwide community dedicated to the advancement of electronic charting for cruising, racing, fishing, and workboats. Very easy to use and full-featured with excellent chart support. OpenCPN is used by thousands of Vesper Marine transponder owners and this version for Android works great with Vesper Marine smartAIS transponders. Note: This link is to the official and supported version by Dave Register and we strongly recommend only using the official version. The small charge is well worth it. |
| Navionics | |
|
One of the most popular navigation apps available for Android and IOS devices Navionics incorporates nautical charts with map, satellite and terrain overlays, intuitive interface for panning and zooming. Tap on the chart to mark a waypoint or display local information on weather and tides, wind forecasts, currents and moon/sun phases. The app is free, but you must purchase charts for regions and other upgrades such as auto-routing and advanced map options. |
| Aqua Map | |
|
Available for both iOS and Android, Aqua map overlays AIS targets on charts. Download the best up-to-date Nautical Charts to safely enjoy the new boating season. With the Aqua Map Master transform your device in a real ChartPlotter. |
| Memory-Map | |
|
Memory-Map is a complete navigation app, using a range of raster nautical charts downloaded from the in-app store, or from standard BSB chart CDs. Route planning is easy and intuitive. The app displays a wide range of navigational data, and data from vessel instruments, on a customizable pull-down screen. Tracklogs and NMEA logs can be captured and shared using GPX files. AIS is fully supported, with separate alarm thresholds for class A and B targets. It plots DSC position reports and distress calls and has an anchor alarm feature. |
| SailGrib | |
|
A unique navigation app with GRIB weather overlays downloadable from many different sources. Overlays AIS targets, weather, and tides on marine charts and features weather routing and optimization. It supports AIS targets with alarms and takes full advantage of the built-in GPS capabilities of Vesper Marine transponders by not requiring you to use the GPS in your mobile resulting in much greater battery life. Includes Vesper Marine transponder support built-in and pre-configured making it very easy to get started. A well done and fully-featured app with great weather capabilities. |
| SeaWi | |
|
Excellent navigation app with lots of features and AIS support including CPA, TCPA alarms and buddy tracking. If you have your XB-8000 or WatchMate Vision connected to your instruments via NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 then this app will also display depth, apparent and true wind, and water temperature. Clever data forwarding to remote users if your tablet has internet access. Uses free OpenSeaMap charts with growing world-wide coverage. |
| Sailtracker Polar AIS | |
|
Free app that overlays AIS targets on satellite images. Displays true and magnetic heading, apparent and true wind speed and angle, depth, temperature, current waypoint, VMG, ETA and computes polars. Excellent complement to the XB-8000 or WatchMate Vision NMEA gateway for displaying instrument data. Some features require the paid Pro version. |
| iRegatta | |
|
Tactical regatta application as well as for cruising navigation. Includes features for navigating to GPS waypoints and keeping tracks. Plots AIS targets on a radar view. |
| Plan2Nav | |
|
Designed to complement a chart plotter. Plan2Nav is meant as a trip planning aid, not as a primary navigation tool. Not compatible. |