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Getting Started

Bristol Maps is a navigation platform specifically designed for commercial fishermen operating in dynamic terrain such as Bristol Bay, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Southeast Alaska.

Device Recommendations

Recommended

An Apple iPad Cellular model provides the best experience. The cellular model includes an integrated GPS chip. Wi-Fi-only models do not have GPS and require an external device for location data.

For mounting solutions there are various companies that offer quality solutions. Ram mounts are the most common. Joy Factory mounts are recommended for a high end mount.

Installation

Download from the Apple App Store. Available on iPhones, iPads, and M-series MacBooks.

Note

M-series MacBooks require a separate GPS antenna for location data.

Download from the Google Play Store. Available on Android phones and tablets.

Subscription & Pricing

A subscription is required for all use of Bristol Maps. A yearly subscription includes access to all maps and features and will auto-renew. A two week free trial is included to test features and functionality.

  • Pricing: $200/year

To manage your subscription see Subscription & Billing. To create your account see Account Setup.

Features Overview

Bristol Maps provides a comprehensive set of tools for commercial fishing operations:

Real-time map with speed, heading, depth, and compass display.

Weather

Current conditions and hourly forecasts from Visual Crossing.

Tides

Tide predictions from 5,200+ NOAA stations with offline caching.

Waypoints

Save, share, and navigate to custom markers on the map.

Routes

Create multi-waypoint routes for planning trips.

Boundaries

Fishing district lines with proximity alarms.

Grid Overlay

Customizable district grid with shareable codes.

AIS Tracking

Real-time vessel tracking via AIS data.

Offline Maps

Download satellite imagery and NOAA charts for offline use.

Daily Logs

Track catches, deliveries, weather, tides, and location.

Fleet Groups

Share locations, waypoints, routes, and chat with your fleet.

Freight

Track shipments and deliveries from tenders and processors.

Offline Access

Images and maps can be downloaded via the Offline Maps tab. A curated selection of images are included for use at various tide heights. See Downloading Maps for details. If other locations are required please reach out to support@bristolmaps.com.

Various settings and overlays can be adjusted via the navigation menu on the Navigation bar. See the Settings Reference for full details on all configurable options, or explore these specific features:

Disclaimer

This page and subsequent pages contain Amazon affiliate links.