Chart plotter for PC

Sy-Revolution

Sy-Revolution

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I'm looking into going digital instead of using traditional paper charts. Can anyone recommend a system for PC? I'll want to eventually have access to charts covering most areas of the globe and be able to print copies of my plotted course so that I can have a hard copy with me in the cockpit.
Thought C-Map max might suffice......
Any ideas?
 
You should also use the "traditional paper" charts when using electronics, you never know when the electronics will let you down, if you also have your passage on paper you are safe (if you know where you are etc.)

If you don't have paper on board and the electronics decide to pack in you could be in real trouble.
 
[ QUOTE ]
You should also use the "traditional paper" charts when using electronics

[/ QUOTE ]Definitely - so if you get something like OziExplorer and scan in your paper charts you only have to buy the paper charts. There's a bonus in that the PC version looks just like the paper version (so long as you've corrected both at the same time!).
 
It really depends on realistic goals and areas to sail.

You will be quoted : Seapro, OziExplorer, Maptech, Maxsea, Seaclear, WinGPS ..... the list goes on and on .....

Most recc'ds are based on what they have bought and simply that. Very few can afford the luxury of trialing many different - so end up plumping for one and learning that..... good or bad.

If you consider worldwide coverage - then CMap is the one to go for ... they are the largest electronic base and just about cover the world ... Navionics and others follow closely ...

Scanning charts is excellent if you don't mind the time consuming job and limit to actually expected areas ... to do the world would be extremely difficult and expensive.

Illegal downloads are available via p2p software such as Shareaza, which are generally out of date bsb/kap files or others. You can get CM93 with CmapECS - the biggest electronic folio available - but basically 10 yrs out of date.

Personally speaking ... reading your question. It is a great resource and excellent way to plot - giving incredible facility on the pc ... but the coverage you are suggesting - Worldwide is beyond most yotties pockets / capabilities.

Needs careful planning and thought as to which is going to fulfill your needs ... mmmm thinking !
 
Thanks for the replies!
The idea is that , as I do not have any firm plans to visit the entire globe right now, I'd like, if I'm going to invest in an electronic system, to go for one that will allow me to 'unlock' areas to which I'll be travelling close to that time. Am I making sense? My thinking behind going digital is that, say I'm moored in Sri Lanka and I now wish to travel south to Indonesia it may well be easier to find an internet cafe and pay for and download the relevent charts than to try and find paper copies out there.......



Jon.
 
good idea ... will it work ? The downloads if available - would be large ...

I did PM you to chat about possible ways ...
 
As small-boat -champ said there are lots out ther to choose from. I an unlucky to have used several packages and my currently preferance seems to be EuroNav SeaPro but I also have Raymarine RNS and MAXSEA pro aboard as well

Most folks onloy have experiance with the one package they have. I would think you need to get demo versions and do a systematic evaluation.

Just about all of the packages are able to do what you ask. Some use their own chart formats other use CMAP, Navionics, ARCS or some such.
 
Check out PC Maritime's Navmaster systems. These have all possible bells and whistles and can be used with both C-map vector charts and Admiralty raster charts. All the world can be covered.
 
I would endorse Valfreya's choice of PC Maritime's Navmaster software. As well as being very competent software (actually aimed more at professional mariners), they're very nice people to deal with.

But, before you invest in a PC-based system, give some thought to the practicality of using a PC. In particular, think about the screen:

1. If you rely on a laptop screen, it won't have enough brightness for daylight viewing on deck, and the laptop could be somewhat exposed to the elements. But, if you put the PC down below, you won't have the convenience of seeing the display.

2. External daylight-viewable waterproof monitors are available, but expensive (£1,000+).

3. Power consumption (especially if you also opt for an external monitor) can be significant.

4. Holding a PC securely in position so that it doesn't end up in pieces on the floor after a freak wave or gust needs a bit of thought

5.You'll need to wire up a link between your GPS unit and the PC - PC Maritime will send you what you need for this, but it pays to be handy with a soldering iron and not afraid to dabble.

Despite all this, I still think a PC set-up is great (especially for pre-planning at home), and somewhat more future-proof than dedicated chart-plotter systems. If, as seems likely, you're going to be straying far, then having a PC on board could be handy anyway.

If you're the type of person who hates to read user manuals, a PC system is going to annoy you - you do need to be prepared to spend wome time at home having a play with the software in order to get the most out of it, and set it up to your liking.

You can 'unlock' charts with just a telephone call to PC Maritime if you're suitably prepared with some disks. That could work well for you if you don't know what you might need.
 
I show my PC chartplotter setup at:

http://carlten.tripod.com/Navigation/navigation.html

web page

01-003.jpg
 
Yes indeed it works. What you do is request the C-Map NT-PC Discs for your computer. I have those for the Northern Hemisphere only but the Southern Hemisphere ones are the same. These disks have every chart available already on them. What you do, once a registered user, is go on the net, callup the website, stuff in the appropriate disc and pay for a licence for the area you want. They give you a licence no which you put in and it releases the charts from the disc. Simple as that. The navigation system you need that will accept C-Map NT-PC is one of many. Personally I use and very much like Winchart Nexus because its very easy and "instinctive" to use. I found some systems so complex to use that I could not hack it. Nexus will give you everything you need and tidal calcs. The basic Winchart for about £100 is even simper to use but does not do tides or passage planning. All depends what you need.
 
I have the CMap NT disks as well ....... so agree - a phone call can do it ...

My post was related more to the coverage that he may want that is poorly covered and would then need download from a source etc.

Cmap NT does have low detail and poor coverage in less frequented areas ... OK not as bad as many others I can think of.
 
CM93 ... the older commercial chart system ... NT did not replace it as some think .... but later CM92/2, CM93/3 especially reduced chart cover significantly in the greater detail charts ..... so CM93/1 is the greatest coverage possible - apart from paper folios of course.
 
I would have expected the official electronic charts to provide greater worldwide coverage, but have not compared, and certainly with greater reliability - eg those of UKHO, USA, etc, etc. Electronic Charting Systems designed to use official charts will use them all (mostly). Also has the advantage that for several countries (at least USA and NZ) if cruising worldwide, their charts are essentially free. And is the way I would go myself (and have /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).

To the original poster, most of the ECS applications available can be obtained for trial use but usually only with some sample charts and maybe only with a "Demo" rather than live mode. Most trials can be downloaded off the internet.

My own preference is an application that focus's on the fundamental navigation of the boat, some of the applications aimed at the pleasure market try to do everything except trim the sails and cook the meals. OK if one is into the playing with toys thing though.

John
 
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