eclipsemullet
Well-Known Member
I was wondering whether anyone else uses an Apple laptop to navigate with?
Apple laptops
- Thread starter eclipsemullet
- Start date
srp
Well-Known Member
Yes. Along with a Garmin GPS60.
I use MacEnc and a Navionics chart, (which is not the best chart I have found out since buying it). Go to www.gpsnavx.com - they do a couple of chartplotting programs, plus very good demo software so you can try it out. You can also download a free chart to try (its American, SF Bay I think). I just use the chartplotter to plan routes and transfer waypoints to the hand-held - my boat isn't flash enough to warrant an on-board navigation laptop. You can buy a usb gps 'sensor' if you want to dispense with the hand-held though.
http://www.macsailing.net/ is a useful discussion forum for Mac-based navigation stuff.
I use MacEnc and a Navionics chart, (which is not the best chart I have found out since buying it). Go to www.gpsnavx.com - they do a couple of chartplotting programs, plus very good demo software so you can try it out. You can also download a free chart to try (its American, SF Bay I think). I just use the chartplotter to plan routes and transfer waypoints to the hand-held - my boat isn't flash enough to warrant an on-board navigation laptop. You can buy a usb gps 'sensor' if you want to dispense with the hand-held though.
http://www.macsailing.net/ is a useful discussion forum for Mac-based navigation stuff.
eclipsemullet
Well-Known Member
Have you tried GPS Nav X?
I suppose now that Macs are dual-bootable, one could run MaxSea, but apart from the Course To Steer calculations, I don't really feel the need.
I suppose now that Macs are dual-bootable, one could run MaxSea, but apart from the Course To Steer calculations, I don't really feel the need.
srp
Well-Known Member
GPSNavX (the company) do two charting applications, one being (confusingly) GPSNavX, which handles raster charts; the other is MacENC, which can handle vector charts (ENC's) and raster charts. GPSNavX is about £50 and MacENC is about £90 (from memory, may be wrong).
Both programs are good, and have a lot of the features not found on pc programs at that price. Also the technical support is extremely good - I've had emails back within minutes even on a Sunday!
Both programs are good, and have a lot of the features not found on pc programs at that price. Also the technical support is extremely good - I've had emails back within minutes even on a Sunday!
eclipsemullet
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Also the technical support is extremely good - I've had emails back within minutes even on a Sunday!
[/ QUOTE ]
I'll second that. The Support is top notch.
Also the technical support is extremely good - I've had emails back within minutes even on a Sunday!
[/ QUOTE ]
I'll second that. The Support is top notch.
mcframe
Well-Known Member
http://www.garmin.com/pressroom/corporate/011006.html
"Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced that it will immediately begin to make its line of GPS and mobile electronics devices compatible with Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger." This makes Garmin the first major GPS designer and manufacturer to announce direct support for Mac OS X."
"By the end of 2006, Garmin intends to have made all its popular hardware and software applications Mac OS X compatible."
However, that was in January - I've not heard anything since then - guess I'll hassle them a LIBS...
"Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced that it will immediately begin to make its line of GPS and mobile electronics devices compatible with Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger." This makes Garmin the first major GPS designer and manufacturer to announce direct support for Mac OS X."
"By the end of 2006, Garmin intends to have made all its popular hardware and software applications Mac OS X compatible."
However, that was in January - I've not heard anything since then - guess I'll hassle them a LIBS...
eclipsemullet
Well-Known Member
Yes, I remember reading that. They had better hurry up; 10.5 is supposed be out in the first quarter of 2007.
tangomoon
Well-Known Member
I have an iMac and would not return to pcs they're much simpler. I was wondering which laptop you use as they're pretty pricey.
eclipsemullet
Well-Known Member
We have a two year old iBook which we navigate with on board. We have MapTech chart CDs (3 in all) that cover our entire cruising area.
We use GPS nav X as our charting software. The iBook is hooked up to a Garmin GPS 130 via a Keyspan USB to Serial converter. We also have a plug socket on the chart table.
The whole system is pretty slick. We just need a fiddle, or two, to make sure the laptop cannot slide off. At present we have some non-slip cloth and it does not budge, but one has to keep an eye on it really.
Mac OS X is rock solid. It has never seriously crashed while we have been navigating.
With the other uses a wi-fi enabled laptop can be put to on an extended trip, on-board computing is the way to go. It makes dedicated chartplotters look very expensive and limited in both useage and upgradeability.
IMO, of course....
We use GPS nav X as our charting software. The iBook is hooked up to a Garmin GPS 130 via a Keyspan USB to Serial converter. We also have a plug socket on the chart table.
The whole system is pretty slick. We just need a fiddle, or two, to make sure the laptop cannot slide off. At present we have some non-slip cloth and it does not budge, but one has to keep an eye on it really.
Mac OS X is rock solid. It has never seriously crashed while we have been navigating.
With the other uses a wi-fi enabled laptop can be put to on an extended trip, on-board computing is the way to go. It makes dedicated chartplotters look very expensive and limited in both useage and upgradeability.
IMO, of course....
Seven Spades
Well-Known Member
I have a Raymarine chartplotter and can connct to it using a PC laptop, but it has some kind of pcmia card for the radar. Will either GPSNavX or MacENC work with my Ray Marine kit?
eclipsemullet
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I have a Raymarine chartplotter and can connct to it using a PC laptop, but it has some kind of pcmia card for the radar. Will either GPSNavX or MacENC work with my Ray Marine kit?
[/ QUOTE ]
I am sure it will work with the Raymarine. Drop the developer a quick e-mail: gpsnavx@mac.com
I found their tech support to be excellent.
I have a Raymarine chartplotter and can connct to it using a PC laptop, but it has some kind of pcmia card for the radar. Will either GPSNavX or MacENC work with my Ray Marine kit?
[/ QUOTE ]
I am sure it will work with the Raymarine. Drop the developer a quick e-mail: gpsnavx@mac.com
I found their tech support to be excellent.
