C-MAP Max charts, Card Reader, Software on Board

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weaver_fish

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I want to be able to view charts on the card via my PC at home. Have downloaded the Software on Board package which seems very good for a freebie. Is there a way of viewing the cartogrpahy without paying out for the world's most expensive card reader... I kinda resent paying £60 for a special card reader (have they just switched some connections?) when I have already paid for the charts!
 
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I want to be able to view charts on the card via my PC at home. Have downloaded the Software on Board package which seems very good for a freebie. Is there a way of viewing the cartogrpahy without paying out for the world's most expensive card reader... I kinda resent paying £60 for a special card reader (have they just switched some connections?) when I have already paid for the charts!

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Unfortunately Chart Co's and Plotter people have cottoned on that the only way to keep their product reasonably safe from pirating is to "spike" the reader.
You cannot cheat a chart card in a off the shelf reader - cause it doesn't read the small bit of code embedded into the card. That is special for only the proprietary reader to do. You can't do anything with the files on the card .... you can "see" them on a pc via any reader that takes the card ... but thats all. You can copy to another card - but they won't work ..... simple. It's called Copyright.

I have East and West North Europe Chart Cards for my Lowrance ... but cannot use them in my PC as I need to buy the LEI Reader at £50 + pp .............. (My Verbatim multi reader cost £12 ... )
 
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This card reader might be worth a try.

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_6&products_id=100315

Would like to know if it can also read the c-map max cartridges

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Extremely unlikely it will read any chart card correctly. It is similar to my Verbatim Multi-write/reader ...

back to the old statement - Garmin Reader for Garmin .... LEI for Lowrance ..... etc. etc.

The only question I have actually is : Will a Garmin or other reader work with a different co's chart card ????? Interesting question ......
 
Thanks for that.... I am quite happy that C-map want to protect their intellectual property and was more than happy to fork out for the CMAP Max UK and Ireland cartridge - its a fantastic product. I just feel a little agrieved that they charge so much for the reader - must be making a few quid on that even with the tweak for security.... and the 2MB user cartridge is also way expensive.

Feels like the honest folks who buy a legit product are being exploited somewhat!
 
I understand that C-MAP will give you a discount on the CD-Rom if you've already bought the cartridge (but not the other way round). I suggest you ring them and speak with Lena. You won't find anyone more helpful. Of course, you could just ditch the cartridge and plotter and stick with a laptop and SOB - works for me!
 
Good question. The short answer is: I don't know. It certainly displays XTE, but I've never looked for an alarm function. However, there is (as far as I know) no demo version. What you download is the full monty (assuming you've got the latest release. So if you can't find it, it may not be there. Do check the latest draft manual though; there are a lot of new features.

Sorry I can't be more helpful
 
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Does SOB ( Digiboat) have a cross track error and COG bearing error alarm? I have downloaded the free demo version and can't find it.

Have you found any problems?

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Join GPS Navigator group on Yahoo ..... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

and ask the author of SOB direct - he's an active member ... along with Maptech, Seapro, Seaclear, Garmin etc. etc.

Groups free by the way !!
 
I have just downloaded the latest version of SOB, and it includes a new speech feature. You can have a voice tell you every X minutes of your choice wheather you are on course or in what direction to steer.

Regards Michael
 
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