Magic
Well-Known Member
Looking at computer based charts (charting software) interested in peoples views, opinions, and experiences.
Looking to run on my tc4200 tablet pc.
Looking to run on my tc4200 tablet pc.
Computer Based Charts
- Thread starter Magic
- Start date
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Use Maptech..... very happy with the standard 'Offshore Light' package that comes FOC with the chart packs.... and can also use the charts with open source software 'Seaclear' that supports AIS etc....
not too heavy on the processor, and v easy to use.....
not too heavy on the processor, and v easy to use.....
Magic
Well-Known Member
Okay, admit muppet on this stuff in comparision to you lot, and am thinking of using computer based stuff more to check what I am doing manually at this stage.
Does that change your view at all? If you could provide some links would (I'm lazy) save me a few google's ;-)
Does that change your view at all? If you could provide some links would (I'm lazy) save me a few google's ;-)
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Sure,
Maptech is here
and Seaclear is here
FWIW, I find it really useful to be able to study charts at home before a passage, and for longer journeys, so plot the waypoints on the computer, and then upload them to the GPS... not only saves loads of time, but also avoids transposition errors... I know you just want to manually check at the moment, but worth remembering for the future....
Maptech is here
and Seaclear is here
FWIW, I find it really useful to be able to study charts at home before a passage, and for longer journeys, so plot the waypoints on the computer, and then upload them to the GPS... not only saves loads of time, but also avoids transposition errors... I know you just want to manually check at the moment, but worth remembering for the future....
steveh
Well-Known Member
Agree with the Maptech. Its very easy to scroll and zoom in and out unlike cmap and other vector charts which I find are rather crude to use.
StoicWarrior
Well-Known Member
Anyone with hands-on experience of more than one chart package? That would be useful and more telling. A comparison of, say, Maptech and SeaPro?
Cutter
Well-Known Member
Nigel Luther is the expert on this and runs a web group that discuss these matters. Problem is finding a summary which is useful for novitiates. I e-mailed him yesterday and he was very helpful. Suspect he will comment on this thread at some stage. His comments to me are worth copying accross
"Maptech Lite with a folio of charts of your choice ..... This is a good
starting point and will be under £100 ... gives tides as well, but that
will stop at year end and need re-licencing to give further tide info. BUT
the charts continue to work indefinitely. Later you can add chart packs as
you wish.
Another is Seapro lite and it was being offered with a full UK folio charts
..... again about £100 and also charts are indefinite woprking ...
Of the two above - I think Maptech is better screen etc., but if Seapro is
still doing the deal with full UK folio .......... then that is very good.
The RYA package is a time limited deal and as you already know hits year
end and just stops. It is the only one that does this."
Hope this helps
"Maptech Lite with a folio of charts of your choice ..... This is a good
starting point and will be under £100 ... gives tides as well, but that
will stop at year end and need re-licencing to give further tide info. BUT
the charts continue to work indefinitely. Later you can add chart packs as
you wish.
Another is Seapro lite and it was being offered with a full UK folio charts
..... again about £100 and also charts are indefinite woprking ...
Of the two above - I think Maptech is better screen etc., but if Seapro is
still doing the deal with full UK folio .......... then that is very good.
The RYA package is a time limited deal and as you already know hits year
end and just stops. It is the only one that does this."
Hope this helps
owen
Well-Known Member
i looked at sailing today comparison and you should look at this for impartial opiniion. i chose seapro lite for full folio of charts and no time limit on use of charts. also can be upgraded in future. in use i have found it great no problems - it does make you lazy . i was plotting on paper every hour ....
. i also bought bellfield tide plotter for £10 excelent value and a joy to use. cheaper than reeds every year .
. i also bought bellfield tide plotter for £10 excelent value and a joy to use. cheaper than reeds every year .
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
I got started with OziExplorer. It uses your own charts, scanned in, and is a great package. Unfortunately, if you expect to expand your horizons, then it becomes non cost-effective to do this, as there is a point at which the number of large-scale charts becomes far more expensive than electronic charts.
I have tried the Maptech, wasn't quite as impressed as others. I tried upgrading to the non-freebie s/w. The quality of the charts is very good, if I remember, they are raster scanned, not vector.
I was convinced by a friend to try MaxSea with CMap NT+/PC charts, which has been v satisfactory. I needed a dongle to be able to run it on (boat-based) laptop, and desktop at home for planning. The dongle is the only downside for me. It comes with a free interface to on-line mapping weather forecasting which is sent by email as GRIB files.
I have also had a go with others, and have come to the conclusion that they are all a bit quirky, as they don't really stick to Windows conventions more or less. They will all do passage planning, interface to the GPS etc. but to zoom, move off track when real-time tracking.. odds and ends like that can sometimes be a bit iffy.
If you have a scanner, you can download software from OziExplorer and try it with your own charts...
OR...................
You could do it the best way, and buy a Yeoman plotter.... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I have tried the Maptech, wasn't quite as impressed as others. I tried upgrading to the non-freebie s/w. The quality of the charts is very good, if I remember, they are raster scanned, not vector.
I was convinced by a friend to try MaxSea with CMap NT+/PC charts, which has been v satisfactory. I needed a dongle to be able to run it on (boat-based) laptop, and desktop at home for planning. The dongle is the only downside for me. It comes with a free interface to on-line mapping weather forecasting which is sent by email as GRIB files.
I have also had a go with others, and have come to the conclusion that they are all a bit quirky, as they don't really stick to Windows conventions more or less. They will all do passage planning, interface to the GPS etc. but to zoom, move off track when real-time tracking.. odds and ends like that can sometimes be a bit iffy.
If you have a scanner, you can download software from OziExplorer and try it with your own charts...
OR...................
You could do it the best way, and buy a Yeoman plotter.... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
bendyone
Well-Known Member
Have a look at Seaclear, free and very good
jimboaw
Well-Known Member
Currently using Maptech Offshore. Prefer it to The Captain for ease of use but the latter has very good tides/currents which do not expire and can be overlaid on the chart. Tried Nobletech but way too complicated for me. One major advantage over paper that I have used often is the ability to confirm precisely your position in a tight anchorage/cable area when other means may be obscured. That said I always have at least some paper back up as well as my spare laptop!!
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