bendyone
Well-Known Member
Is it possible to use the charts from the Admiralty plotter with Seaclear. Are the charts in a format that can be copied and converted to a usable file type?
Admiralty PC chart plotter
- Thread starter bendyone
- Start date
steverow
Well-Known Member
No, they are in an encoded HDR Format.
As far as I am aware no other plotter on the market including Seaclear can use them.
Seaclear can only use BSB3 and below charts.
Modern BSB's are BSB4 and encrypted.
I dont think that there are now any commercial formats (other than the free US charts) that Seaclear can use.
You will have to scan or screen grab then convert to WCI and calibrate.
Steve.
As far as I am aware no other plotter on the market including Seaclear can use them.
Seaclear can only use BSB3 and below charts.
Modern BSB's are BSB4 and encrypted.
I dont think that there are now any commercial formats (other than the free US charts) that Seaclear can use.
You will have to scan or screen grab then convert to WCI and calibrate.
Steve.
AliM
Well-Known Member
I am getting very frustrated with the Admiralty/RYA package. My GPS has USB output, my PC has USB input (and no serial port), but the software does not accept USB input, and so it refuses to talk to (or listen to) the GPS. Is there any way round this? The help screens were not helpful!
G
Guest
Guest
Virtual port
You will never get connection to any Chart package without a Virtual Com port ....
Open Device Manager and look at Com Ports section ... unplug GPS and see which port disapears ... plug back in again and it will pop up again. Note the Com port number and use that in the software package.
If the software only gives limited port numbers .... then go back and swap ports to a number lower that software can use ... it will probably mean knocking out and re-porting another item.
Always also make sure you plug GPS into same usb port each time - otherwise its hunt the port again ....
You will never get connection to any Chart package without a Virtual Com port ....
Open Device Manager and look at Com Ports section ... unplug GPS and see which port disapears ... plug back in again and it will pop up again. Note the Com port number and use that in the software package.
If the software only gives limited port numbers .... then go back and swap ports to a number lower that software can use ... it will probably mean knocking out and re-porting another item.
Always also make sure you plug GPS into same usb port each time - otherwise its hunt the port again ....
Cactus
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
I was considering buying the RYA software, maybe you could clear up some things about it?
You are really buying a package of charts, with free software. Is this right? And each package covers an area numbered 1-12?
So I cant just buy extra charts on their own - I have to buy the whole package again for different areas?
Does that make any sense??
I was considering buying the RYA software, maybe you could clear up some things about it?
You are really buying a package of charts, with free software. Is this right? And each package covers an area numbered 1-12?
So I cant just buy extra charts on their own - I have to buy the whole package again for different areas?
Does that make any sense??
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
Yes your right, but the software is effectively thrown in on each disc, I have 2 RYA discs regions 2 and 4 the non expiring ones. When running the plotter you just swap discs as you move between regions, you get about 17 admiralty charts on each disc. I find it works well and the GPS is plumbed in through the serial port, it won't drive an autopilot directly though, but I use the GPS to do that instead.
Yes your right, but the software is effectively thrown in on each disc, I have 2 RYA discs regions 2 and 4 the non expiring ones. When running the plotter you just swap discs as you move between regions, you get about 17 admiralty charts on each disc. I find it works well and the GPS is plumbed in through the serial port, it won't drive an autopilot directly though, but I use the GPS to do that instead.
Cactus
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
Ok cheers. It's just annoying that I want an region right on the border between two areas - if you know what I mean!
Maybe I should stick with SeaClear - old skool.
Thanks
Ok cheers. It's just annoying that I want an region right on the border between two areas - if you know what I mean!
Maybe I should stick with SeaClear - old skool.
Thanks
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
Actualy the regions quoted do stretch a bit wider e.g region 4 has the large scale chart for the channel that show the Channels Islands, also goes west as far as Brixham and Torquay and east to Dungeness. I bought mine to cover a passage from the Thames to Poole and regions 2 and 4 just about cover it with only a relatively easy 20 mile gap between Dungeness and Beachy Head.
Actualy the regions quoted do stretch a bit wider e.g region 4 has the large scale chart for the channel that show the Channels Islands, also goes west as far as Brixham and Torquay and east to Dungeness. I bought mine to cover a passage from the Thames to Poole and regions 2 and 4 just about cover it with only a relatively easy 20 mile gap between Dungeness and Beachy Head.
JIM_TEAL
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
I am considering the Admiralty/RYA packsge. It seems to be more cost effective than the others as I have a laptop already. Can anyone confirm if you can easily print hard copy of the charts? I sail single handed most of the time and keep a paper A4 copy in plastic sleeve in the cockpit and would wish to do the same if I buy the package as the PC will have to live below out of the damp/spray.
Thanks for any info
Jim
I am considering the Admiralty/RYA packsge. It seems to be more cost effective than the others as I have a laptop already. Can anyone confirm if you can easily print hard copy of the charts? I sail single handed most of the time and keep a paper A4 copy in plastic sleeve in the cockpit and would wish to do the same if I buy the package as the PC will have to live below out of the damp/spray.
Thanks for any info
Jim
steverow
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
Dont...go for a maptech product like Offshore Navigator instead.
Far more flexible..you can put charts on hardrive...has an autopilot...plus loads of other useful features.
You get what you pay for and as the RYA plotter is cheap you dont get a lot.
Steve.
Dont...go for a maptech product like Offshore Navigator instead.
Far more flexible..you can put charts on hardrive...has an autopilot...plus loads of other useful features.
You get what you pay for and as the RYA plotter is cheap you dont get a lot.
Steve.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
Theres a print function in the RYA plotter, I've printed the A2 charts out from it in A4 size, their just about readable would be ok for a rough guide.
Theres a print function in the RYA plotter, I've printed the A2 charts out from it in A4 size, their just about readable would be ok for a rough guide.
Cactus
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
Cheap is the order of the day I think.. it's only a backup after all.. isn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Cheap is the order of the day I think.. it's only a backup after all.. isn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
G
Guest
Guest
RYA Chart plotter .....
It's basically rec'd such bad reviews and perception is that it is supported more that RYA Yacht Classes use it ...
There are far better packages out there for not much more really and yes - you get what you pay for.
If you are worried about overlaps and borders etc. - then grab Seapro Lite ............... not my cup-of-tea ... but when you think you get entire Round UK in the box .......... ??
So look at it ... RYA - to get same = 12 x £36 ... assume you have RYA discount = £432
Seapro Lite - better facility - Autopilot control, Passthru, etc. - less than £100 ............ no contest.
Now if you are willing to do a bit of work - Seaclear is fine with above AP / AIS / Passthru etc. etc.
Deep questions about RYA plotter - I cannot answer - as having lookeed at it, fired it up and re-checked specs etc. rejected it as inadequate. Maybe as a good intro - but soon the limitations are felt and wallet comes out again.
Maptech Seaclear Seapro Maxsea (expeensive though) Capn Voyager Navpak SOB etc. have all stood the test of time and still in there ... it all comes down to budget and what you like the look of.
It's basically rec'd such bad reviews and perception is that it is supported more that RYA Yacht Classes use it ...
There are far better packages out there for not much more really and yes - you get what you pay for.
If you are worried about overlaps and borders etc. - then grab Seapro Lite ............... not my cup-of-tea ... but when you think you get entire Round UK in the box .......... ??
So look at it ... RYA - to get same = 12 x £36 ... assume you have RYA discount = £432
Seapro Lite - better facility - Autopilot control, Passthru, etc. - less than £100 ............ no contest.
Now if you are willing to do a bit of work - Seaclear is fine with above AP / AIS / Passthru etc. etc.
Deep questions about RYA plotter - I cannot answer - as having lookeed at it, fired it up and re-checked specs etc. rejected it as inadequate. Maybe as a good intro - but soon the limitations are felt and wallet comes out again.
Maptech Seaclear Seapro Maxsea (expeensive though) Capn Voyager Navpak SOB etc. have all stood the test of time and still in there ... it all comes down to budget and what you like the look of.
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
You can screen copy anything on your PC screen (Prt Sc) and past into Word then print...but it's only what you see on the screen. Useful for harbour and other pilotage detail, etc, that you might want on deck in a folder. Actually I quite liked the RYA package if it covers the area you want with one CD. Very easy to use and you're looking at an Admiralty Chart just like your paper one. Big problem for me was having a PC on the chart table (wrong place, power usage and possible damage). I've now got a cockpit mounted plotter...but it was the RYA chart at £49 as a cheap trial of electronic navigation that lead me down this path. I'll still use it for pre-trip planning.
You can screen copy anything on your PC screen (Prt Sc) and past into Word then print...but it's only what you see on the screen. Useful for harbour and other pilotage detail, etc, that you might want on deck in a folder. Actually I quite liked the RYA package if it covers the area you want with one CD. Very easy to use and you're looking at an Admiralty Chart just like your paper one. Big problem for me was having a PC on the chart table (wrong place, power usage and possible damage). I've now got a cockpit mounted plotter...but it was the RYA chart at £49 as a cheap trial of electronic navigation that lead me down this path. I'll still use it for pre-trip planning.
Cactus
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
I bought the RYA package anyway - full report to follow once I steal a cheap laptop from somewhere.
p.s. kudos to Todds Charts, ordered online yesterday afternoon after reading these posts and it's on my doorstep this morning!
I bought the RYA package anyway - full report to follow once I steal a cheap laptop from somewhere.
p.s. kudos to Todds Charts, ordered online yesterday afternoon after reading these posts and it's on my doorstep this morning!
ditchcrawler
Well-Known Member
Re: Virtual port
I was considering the Admiralty Chart Plotter,but I have this morning been in the chart shop at Woodbridge & was given the demo copy of the new Imray system You get a much larger area (East Coast to Holland for me) & it seems pretty simple for circa £55.You can also add a tide programme to do passage planning etc.Have a look at www.imray.com.
You canalso load corrections from the web.
I was considering the Admiralty Chart Plotter,but I have this morning been in the chart shop at Woodbridge & was given the demo copy of the new Imray system You get a much larger area (East Coast to Holland for me) & it seems pretty simple for circa £55.You can also add a tide programme to do passage planning etc.Have a look at www.imray.com.
You canalso load corrections from the web.
G
Guest
Guest
For Notebook to run charting ....
Rugged, small for screen size, put up with quite a lot of abuse and keyboard doesn't sound like a chinese knitting shop ...
IBM Thinkpad 600e or better. You can pick up a good one for 100 - 200 quid .... batterys are easily available from 3rd party e-bay etc. I use a couple of them as Inspectors machines - on / off ships etc. run happily of 12v or supplied charger ... and have a Pentium II with 128+mb and 6Gb disk ... runs windows XP and trials Nav stuff fine ... keep office especially Microsoft Office of it and it runs sweet.
In fact my battery is now duff - it's ex Inspectors machine when he decided he wanted the T2000 Thinkpad .... very nice !! - but 12v direct or via inverter and I have no trouble.
Don't waste money on high spec all singing dancing machines .... even the notebook I'm using now which runs MS Office and all nav progs / Job stuff is only an Acer 1360 ..... £449 .....
Rugged, small for screen size, put up with quite a lot of abuse and keyboard doesn't sound like a chinese knitting shop ...
IBM Thinkpad 600e or better. You can pick up a good one for 100 - 200 quid .... batterys are easily available from 3rd party e-bay etc. I use a couple of them as Inspectors machines - on / off ships etc. run happily of 12v or supplied charger ... and have a Pentium II with 128+mb and 6Gb disk ... runs windows XP and trials Nav stuff fine ... keep office especially Microsoft Office of it and it runs sweet.
In fact my battery is now duff - it's ex Inspectors machine when he decided he wanted the T2000 Thinkpad .... very nice !! - but 12v direct or via inverter and I have no trouble.
Don't waste money on high spec all singing dancing machines .... even the notebook I'm using now which runs MS Office and all nav progs / Job stuff is only an Acer 1360 ..... £449 .....
derekjl
New Member
Re: For Notebook to run charting ....
Well, I was impressed with it when it first arrived, but the more I use it the more frustrated I get.
I've spent every lunch hour this week trying to get a decent A3 size print out that I can actually read, and failed miserably.
I've tried doing a screen grab, but the resolution is dependant on the resolution of the monitor, which limits its usefulness.
The tools panel occupies the same area of screen indendant of the screen size, so severely limits the map area on larger displays.
It can't plot AIS targets - yes , I know it doesn't say it can, but...
I didn't realise that the charts were not compatible with other plotting programs until the package arrived.
My verdict is that it is useful for passage planning at home and for printing a general passage plan, but not much else. Shame, it could be SO much better with just a little effort.
Well, I was impressed with it when it first arrived, but the more I use it the more frustrated I get.
I've spent every lunch hour this week trying to get a decent A3 size print out that I can actually read, and failed miserably.
I've tried doing a screen grab, but the resolution is dependant on the resolution of the monitor, which limits its usefulness.
The tools panel occupies the same area of screen indendant of the screen size, so severely limits the map area on larger displays.
It can't plot AIS targets - yes , I know it doesn't say it can, but...
I didn't realise that the charts were not compatible with other plotting programs until the package arrived.
My verdict is that it is useful for passage planning at home and for printing a general passage plan, but not much else. Shame, it could be SO much better with just a little effort.
derekjl
New Member
Re: Virtual port
Sorry, posted in the wrong section first time around....
Well, I was impressed with the RYA plotter when it first arrived, but the more I use it the more frustrated I get.
I've spent every lunch hour this week trying to get a decent A3 size print out that I can actually read, and failed miserably.
I've tried doing a screen grab, but the resolution is dependant on the resolution of the monitor, which limits its usefulness.
The tools panel occupies the same area of screen independant of the screen size, so severely limits the map area on larger displays.
It can't plot AIS targets - yes , I know it doesn't say it can, but...
I didn't realise that the charts were not compatible with other plotting programs until the package arrived.
My verdict is that it is useful for passage planning at home and for printing a general passage plan, but not much else. Shame, it could be SO much better with just a little effort.
Sorry, posted in the wrong section first time around....
Well, I was impressed with the RYA plotter when it first arrived, but the more I use it the more frustrated I get.
I've spent every lunch hour this week trying to get a decent A3 size print out that I can actually read, and failed miserably.
I've tried doing a screen grab, but the resolution is dependant on the resolution of the monitor, which limits its usefulness.
The tools panel occupies the same area of screen independant of the screen size, so severely limits the map area on larger displays.
It can't plot AIS targets - yes , I know it doesn't say it can, but...
I didn't realise that the charts were not compatible with other plotting programs until the package arrived.
My verdict is that it is useful for passage planning at home and for printing a general passage plan, but not much else. Shame, it could be SO much better with just a little effort.
