CMAPECS

[slavkod]

Dear all.

this might be already discussed. For my last year trip I have been using CMAPECS navigation SW and charts. Currently I am running on version from 2001.
Questions:

1. Where and how one can update this SW and charts?
2. Have you ever tried to put this on small Palm computer or similar device for usage in the cockpit?
3. How reliable you have found this solution? I do not carry any paper charts and have found this SW appropriate.


Best regards,

Slavko

Slavko

 

[Thistle]

[ QUOTE ]
I do not carry any paper charts

[/ QUOTE ]
How do you cope if the electronics pack up or the battery goes flat. IMHO carrying a few paper charts would be much easier than carrying a completely independant electronic system. Or am I infected with our safety conscious culture to such an extent that I'm being overcautious here?

 

[Anonymous]

See C-Map's UK website which gives all the contact details http://www.c-map.co.uk

It seems that I am not alone in keeping a reasonably comprehensive set of paper charts (albeit not fully corrected or new) as well as C-Map. The idea of going to sea with only electronic charting is scary unless there is 100% backup including the power supply.

 

[steverow]

You need to first find out whether you are using CM93 or CM93/2 charts.
CM93/2 are still available, but the original CM93 are not.
It is possible that you have a "pirate" copy of this software, many copies seem to have originated out of Russia during 1999/2000.
I dont think it will be possible to upgrade the software, unless you want to go to a full ECDIS/IBS commercial system from C-Map costing perhaps tens of thousand dollars.
However, it isnt really neccessary to upgrade the software. Even five years on the software and cartography on the ECS is still ahead of anything on the leisure market for a standard navigator package...OK it doesnt have tide and weather overlays, but then again most of the leisure offerings dont have anything like the functionailty of ECS and additional data such as wind and tide are easily available from other sources anyway
C-Map dont ,as far as I know make their own leisure navigators, preferring to leave this to third party software companies, and just supplying cartography, which is without doubt the finest electronic cartography in the world.

It is possible however to get the latest cartography in CM93/2 format from C-Map,
although these are expensive at about 1000usd for a special area.

Personally I would keep what you have got, and back it up with either paper charts or a second system such as Seaclear where you can scan your own latest charts in.
Then you get the best of both worlds.

You could try PC Maritime in the UK for your CM93/2 charts:

www.pcmaritime.co.uk

talk to them about your options,
and make sure that your version of ECS is compatible first.
Personally I think it's the greatest system since sliced bread...keep it.
You could also take a look at the new C-map MAX cartography..very impressive, but most packages, a far as I know, are not yet geared up to handle it.

Steve.

 

[slavkod]

I have second identical system on board, including laptop, CD and so on. For power requirement we have generator on board (6KVA), two (2) 300W inverters for laptops only. Solar panels and wind generator will be installed in next 2 weeks. There is Raymarine, Garmin and Geonav system on board as well.
We have sailed Med and Turkey to Istanbul with this system without any problem. I have met some boats on circumnavigation which are using only this kind of the system some with no backup whatsoever.
I am confident that with two identical systems i am very much on the safe side. I have to admit that we carry large scale charts for planning purposes.

I hope this explains my approach.

Slavko

 

[slavkod]

Thank you. The charts as it is are great and very accurate. And as far as my experience goes in most of the cases the were more up to date than some of pilot books or even paper chart I had a chance to look in to.

Slavko

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, with that sort of backup I wouldn't be so concerned. I still like to draw a pencil track on a chart, though, but that is personal preference. I can scribble little notes on the chart, which is handy sometimes.

David