Further to-Advice sought on choice of PDA/software 26/9/07

[Gin]

Following on from the previous thread and good advice I've now bought a pda-not an iPAQ but a FS LOOX N520 which I hope is capable of much the same - delivery due today.

This, I thought, would let me experiment with the Seaclear software or else the Maptech products, to see which I got on with best.

Two more questions arise:-

1. The cutting/scanning/electronically re-stitching standard paper charts for Seaclear seems demanding to me; I am ploughing through the www.sping.com/seaclear, article.
Is it really viable, allowing for the initial "zero-to-competent" learning curve?-maybe if MikeButler is around he could comment further?

2. Have I jumped into the hardware too soon I wonder- I see that Maptech stuff is delivered on CD and as yet I have no idea how to get from that state to uploading to the pda- maybe I can't? although Skipper_Stu's input implies it is easy to do, unless I've misunderstood.

 

[Danny]

I found that an A4 scanner used with Admiralty folio charts allowed me to scan each chart in quarters and stitch them back together again using a graphics package. I used ArcSoft PhotoStudio 2000 (because I'd received it bundled with something, was familiar with it, and it did the job).

You need to be very careful and precise with the positioning of the chart on the scanner bed so you can get an exact join between the quarters. The important thing is to have some sort of straight edge attached to the scanner so that you can be sure that each section of the chart is scanned in precisely the same orientation. It helps if the charts are fairly new.

It's then a matter of loading the images into the graphics program and sliding them around, with them zoomed in so you can match the pixels as close as possible.

If you need to use full size charts then I would not recommend using an A4 scanner - try to get access to something considerably larger!

The charts will then need to be downloaded to your PDA - but you'll have already found out how to do that while installing the software you have on CD.

 

[chippysmith]

I purchased Maptech's "Memory-Map" software from the show for installation on my Ipaq6340 PDA

I already use Maptech on my Fujitsu-Seimans pentab for use as an onboard chart plotter.

The Memory Map software should be loaded onto the same "host" PC as the Maptech (same charts).

The new software has a "mobile device" menu that allows installation of software and maps/charts to the PDA.. quite straightforward.

Ideally you need the Maptech software for your region to make the most of the charts available. The stand alone memory-map product only has a few nautical charts but comes with a full UK roadmap and OS maps of your choice. Once combined you have the full portfolio of charts for your region.

Have loaded it but not yet used it onboard. I purchased it more out of interest than a serious plotter for nav. purposes. Not to sure the PDA will stand up well in such an environment, but we shall see.

Hope this has helped

 

[Gin]

Thanks to both of you, very helpful on both options- sounds promising as I reckon I should cope with Maptech if I am unable to follow the scanning process successfully- I would like to do that bit as the prospect of being able to update cheaply when I want does have some appeal to me.

Thanks again chaps!!

 

[Gin]

Spent a good bit of the day playing with the GPS locator and devilling the other programmes. Most impressed so far but no nav. charts yet- must progress- not quite sure how but the week ahead could be expensive!

 

[Robin2]

The problem with using raster charts is that, if you want to cover more than your local area, they quickly become more expensive than C-Map or Navionics vector charts which also have far more functionality. But, as far as I know, there is no way to use vector charts on a PDA.

The Fugawi PC charting software uses Navionics charts and can transfer copies of them to a PDA. But the copies are raster copies - pictures of the chart, without the interactive stuff that you have on a PC. You can download a trial from their website (Fugawi.com)