Best pda nav/gps software ??

[wallacebob]

Hi, seen a few posts about PDA software.
It seems a cheap solution, when I have already got a PDA (with TomTom) and a GPS module.
Has anyone had good or bad experiences with the systems on offer, i.e. C-emap, Neptune Navigator Pocket Planner, Navstation and Maptech Navigator.
The cheaper end , £40, may do all I need for simple coastal navigation and tides.
Are they useful, or just a gadget to stare at when there is a decent view for free? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[emnick]

I used memory map for some time, all went well until I lost the PDA over the side! I used a bluetooth GPS it really worked well. I could not get tides on the PDA though. Memory map (maptech chart folios not cheap though.

 

[alahol2]

I've used Memory Map with Maptech charts and OS maps for sailing and walking. Had it for the last couple of years and it's a great toy. I use it 'in anger' every time we go walking and it always gets me where we want to go. Sailing, as you say, you can normally see where you want to go or are steering a course. I've used it once in thick fog to short tack close in along the shore to keep out of shipping and the tide, it was brilliant. If I could afford it I'd have a full size plotter but in the meantime...

 

[Refueler]

Ozi-Explorer on main PC, I'm not a fan of the PC version but you need a registered version to work with the WinCE version .... WinCE version on the PDA (Mio 168). Excellent plotter that lets you use own scans or commercial stuff.

As to Tides - Belfield has CE version on the Cd as well as PC full.

For road use - I have iGo installed - TomTom decided that Eastern Baltic was not to be covered ... iGo has much better coverage - but wish it had TomTom's menu system and voices - my old TomTom - I had John Cleese and Joanna Lumley ....

 

[earlybird]

I bought a Navman PDA as a low cost Car Satnav/ HH chart plotter combination using OziCE. Works well, but I wouldn't go this route again. The PDA is hopelessly vulnerable to water ingress and requires great care on a boat, esp. as the virtue of a small plotter is to use it in the cockpit. Also, battery life is short so it really requires connection to the boat battery. It's internal battery self-discharges over a period of about 2 weeks, if this is allowed to happen, programmes run from the SD card have to be re-initialised.

 

[ashanta]

I have software from Neptune navigation for my HP Ipaq and I think it's tremendous. I have a pocket planner with charts for the channel and south Brittany and I have tides tables (even for my mooring at Starcross) in graph and data form for the next 50 years (if needed) it provides simple to use route planner using waypoints and gives optimum time for departure by the hour.
IMHO I prefer the Pocket PC to a laptop on board for space and hanling reasons I use it purely as an aid as I still carry out my chartwork regardless .
I have internet access at hotspots to keep up to date with my emails when away.

 

[Inselaffe]

I have used Pathaway for 2 years behind the East Friesian islands in North Germany (Riddle of the sands) 1 year in Brightlingsea & 1 year in Lisbon.
I have only good things to say about it.
Very versatile & I use it together with the paper charts that I have scanned in, which works really well.
Scanning is not a problem, calibration software is easy.
Mine is the Palm version, but the pocket PC version is now the main version.