C-emap and Mio PDA

[timturner]

Passing through Palermo airport about a month ago, I saw a GPS Marine navigation "package" for sale. It was a Mio 168 with C-eMAP software. Priced at 699 euros. (I've got a pretty dodgy picture, if anyone's interested). The Mio 168 I know reasonably well - it's what you might call a "mature" model; but I haven't come across anyone who has actually used C-eMAP software on their PDA "in anger", as it were.

Has anyone used this? And if so, is it any good? The software seems to retail for about 300 euros, and it should run on my existing PDA, so it might make an interesting addition to my sailing, which is basically day-sailing, trips round the bay, sort of thing.

Thanks; Tim

 

[Talbot]

Did that price include C-Map cartography? or just the software to display and use it?

 

[timturner]

Hi Talbot - apparently, it included "one area". There's an Italian site selling the outfit at:

http://www.factotus.it/page/dett/arti/273728/nv/FT/

and C-eMAP themselves have it at:

http://www.c-emap.com/bundle.htm

(but it's not for sale, just information).

No-one used it, then? That's not good............

Tim

 

[Anonymous]

C-Map support is very patchy. I haven't found a single agent from Gib to the Balearics, and have had to send to my chart agent in Falmouth to get cartridges posted out to me. No real problem with that but wouldn't you think that an Italian firm might have proper support in the Med? I only use C-Map because I am stuck with a Raymarine radar/plotter that uses it, and am not ready to upgrade that just yet.

 

[thalassa]

I can't comment on the use of C-Map on the Mio 168, but since it is vector-based, I would expect it to work fairly well on limited memory systems. I've been using -in the cabin- the Mio168 with OziCE and Maptech, and that works well, technically speaking. The Mio is worthless in the cockpit however (sunlight); only marginally better if external-battery fed.

 

[timturner]

The newer PDA's seem better (and I've got a MIO P550 which is okay in normal sunlight). But I'm worried that either no-one has thought it worth paying for, or generally used it. There's someone sells it on Ebay - and I've asked him if he's got any satisfied customers or reviews; to no avail. I'm going to hold back for a while; and see what happens by the next time I might conceivably have more use for it than just a bit of fun - next summer. Thanks again.

 

[gfbalduc]

I saw one on offer at 399 Euros few weeks ago in Brindisi Marina, and for that price I bought it for use as an emergency backup.

The bundle included a c-map cartridge covering the whole Mediterranean, and there are others available for other european cruising grounds. At about 300 Euros each, they are relatively competitively-priced, but they can be used only in PDA's.

Out of curiosity, I tried to run the c-map cartridge on another non-GPS-equipped PDA, and it did not run (apparently it may accept a PDA with external GPS, but I did not try this).

Quality and level of detail of the maps is OK, but the navigation functions are rudimentary: just going from point "A" to point "B", no routes or anything else.

As already noted, like with all PDA's, the screen is all but unreadable in daylight.

At a discounted price it may be Ok as a GPS-equipped PDA for everyday's use which can double-up as an on-board backup navigator, but for the full price and as a primary navigation tool, I don't see it worthwhile.

 

[timturner]

Thanks Gianfranco - that's actually really useful. I've got the PDA already, and it's primarily a business tool; with GPS to stop me fighting with the previous onboard vehicle navigation system (or "wife", as she's otherwise known); I thought it might be both useful and entertaining to have the software available for onboard use. I crew on a boat where the plotter is out of sight of the tiller - with no repeater; and I sail in a boat with no electronic nav aids at all; so from my point of view; this looks like it might well be a worthwhile addition to my armoury.

On another "issue", okay the 168 is now getting a little long in the tooth; but 399 euros for the pda and gps package including maps of the med? That's a very good deal indeed.

Thanks again;

Tim

 

[robinoliphant]

Tim
After a few problems C-Map UK suggested I download the latest version of the C-eMap software. So now I can run the product on my PDA.
I am normally pretty generous to suppliers of innovative products. On board I have C-Map on my chart plotter and at home I have the laptop version so I am fairly familiar with C-Map and very fond of chart plotters in general.
But I regret buying C-eMap as I don't think I would use it. I would go back to my 10 year old monchrome hand held GPS with no cartography in preference.
I don't think C-eMap is a marine product or designed by a mariner. Even the waypoint icon choices range between a P for car park; glass of beer for a pub location or a house for a hotel. Placing a waypoint is quite a basic requirement but you cannot place the waypoint at a specific Lat/Long and once the waypoint is placed you cannot move it. It is truly unfit for purpose. I would put it in the top 3 of the worst marine purchase mistakes I have made. I relied on my experience with C-Map and assumed C-eMap would be similar.
Sorry I cannot be more positive.
Cheers
Robin