Navionics

Overview

Navionics produces electronic navigational charts and mobile applications for the leisure boating market, covering oceans, seas, rivers, and over 40,000 lakes. Its cartography is available for GPS chartplotters and apps on Apple and Android devices. Acquired by Garmin in 2017, it combines its data with Garmin's mapping systems while retaining its brand.¹²⁴

History

Navionics was established in 1984 in Viareggio, Italy, pioneering the world's first electronic chart display for boating. It grew to become a leading provider of marine cartography with offices in the US and India. In 2017, Garmin Ltd. acquired Navionics, retaining its 350 employees and integrating its charts with Garmin's BlueChart and LakeVü systems.¹²⁴⁷

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Navionics develops its cartography database in-house using field surveys, remote sensing, and crowdsourcing, with production centered at its headquarters in Massarosa, Italy. Offices in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Hyderabad, India, support operations including data processing.¹²

Notable Products

• Navionics+ - Electronic charts for coastal and inland waters with community edits and daily updates.
• Platinum+ - Premium charts featuring high-resolution bathymetry, satellite imagery, and panoramic photos.
• Boating App - Mobile application providing charts, routes, and weather for iOS and Android.
• HotMaps - Detailed charts for over 17,000 US lakes with sonar logs and contour lines.

Reputation

Navionics is regarded by boaters and marine professionals as a top provider of accurate, detailed electronic charts with frequent updates from user contributions. Strengths include extensive global coverage and compatibility with many chartplotters. Some users report customer service challenges, though the core cartography remains highly valued.¹³