bumblefish
Well-Known Member
Sorry if I have missed this topic, but can any one offer an opinion on this product?
Silly question really I am sure there are lots of opinions!
Silly question really I am sure there are lots of opinions!
Imray Digital Chart
- Thread starter bumblefish
- Start date
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
Didnt know they made them!!
ditchcrawler
Well-Known Member
I had a play with the demo this morning(see my post in Admiralty Chart Plotter below)
I always work my way up from the bottom when viewing posts
I always work my way up from the bottom when viewing posts
steverow
Well-Known Member
Havent played with it myself, but looked at it on the Web a few weeks ago.
Looks very much like the UKHO/RYA plotter re-badged to me.
Saw something about charts only being corrected to 2007 as well, when a new edition comes out.
Think it only runs off the CD and probably no autopilot.
Very scant coverage so far only southern North sea and channel.
All a bit deja vu.
Buy a decent one.
Steve.
Looks very much like the UKHO/RYA plotter re-badged to me.
Saw something about charts only being corrected to 2007 as well, when a new edition comes out.
Think it only runs off the CD and probably no autopilot.
Very scant coverage so far only southern North sea and channel.
All a bit deja vu.
Buy a decent one.
Steve.
alldownwind
Well-Known Member
Got one here, "ID1 Southern North Sea", bought it at the LIBS to tinker with. About £50 I think. Certainly isn't a rebadge of the UKHO thing, it's got Imray charts on it. Yes it only runs off the CD. Says on it that it will be supported by online text corrections until Sept 2007 when new version will be published. Only played about with it at home so far, initial reaction is that it's very easy to use and the charts are very clear (but then I prefer Imray charts anyway). But I can't say I know much about such software yet so cannot comment on 'probably no autopilot' ?
bumblefish
Well-Known Member
I am a top down man myself!
bumblefish
Well-Known Member
What do you recommend?
steverow
Well-Known Member
Depends on what you're looking for really.
The starting point would be whether you want to use Raster (Admiralty type charts)
or Vector charts. raster is like a digital version of a printed chart.
All the information you need is there before you on the chart but there are problems with scaling and zooming when in either over or underzoom of the native chart scale, the chart will pixellate.
Vectors such as C-map are much more effective and hold information in layers which can be turned on and off.
On a true vector chart buoys and marks can be interrogated at the click of a mouse to reveal full information. Buoys such as cardinals and laterals are in their true colours. Vectors are generally much better on the eye than a raster chart and in my opinion much easier to use. No problems with zooming either.
However some people do prefer raster, as they feel more comfortable with it.
For raster charts a good starting point would be Maptech Offshore Navigator, which has all usual features, and recently been upgraded to do Tides and Currents.
However, there is a new program coming out from Maptech, called Chart Navigator Pro, which will run both Maptech Raster charts and S57 vectors...although the S57 "official HO" vector charts are expensive.
I would recommend that you wait for that as it also includes many new features including AIS and ARPA.
It's not actually a Maptech product and is licensed from another company.
You can download a free trial here..
http://www.rosepointnav.com/default.htm
For an almost free program that runs C-mapNT or C-mapMax vector charts look here:
www.digiboat.com.au and download "software on board"
Again this is very full featured and uses C-mapNT charts that you will have to purchase from C-mapUK.
Seapro lite is very good value for money, and includes all "livecharts" of the UK for £99 making it much better value than either the Imray or RYA plotter.
Download a trial version here:
www.euronav.co.uk
Personally it's not my favourite program or charts, but it is terrific value..and it does the job.
What would I recommend??
Well only two programs really...CmapECS..oldish program and charts but still one of the best offerings about. Not available to buy now unfortunately.
What would I really really recommend...only one...MAXSEA.
It is undoubtedly the best. absolutely no contest at all..is multi fuel uses virtually all types of charts, in its best version has every knob bell and whistle that you can think of.
Trouble is it costs.....anything from £399 to £799 or more depending on which version you get.
But they say you get what you pay for and if you pay for it you will not be disappointed........... guaranteed.
Best of the rest..just to be fair:
Seaclear..free program but you will need to scan charts.
Navmaster Offshore from PC Maritime, uses either Admiralty ARCS or CM93/3 vectors.
Nobeltec Admiral..american program..expensive but a lot like Maxsea in that it does everything and is also multi fuel. Uses Transas Vector Charts.
Tsunamis99/Transas navigator..not sure whether this is still available as the transas leisure website appears to have closed...not a bad program and has a fairly big userbase..single fuel..vector only.
Hope that covers everything.
PM me if you need anymore info.
Steve.
The starting point would be whether you want to use Raster (Admiralty type charts)
or Vector charts. raster is like a digital version of a printed chart.
All the information you need is there before you on the chart but there are problems with scaling and zooming when in either over or underzoom of the native chart scale, the chart will pixellate.
Vectors such as C-map are much more effective and hold information in layers which can be turned on and off.
On a true vector chart buoys and marks can be interrogated at the click of a mouse to reveal full information. Buoys such as cardinals and laterals are in their true colours. Vectors are generally much better on the eye than a raster chart and in my opinion much easier to use. No problems with zooming either.
However some people do prefer raster, as they feel more comfortable with it.
For raster charts a good starting point would be Maptech Offshore Navigator, which has all usual features, and recently been upgraded to do Tides and Currents.
However, there is a new program coming out from Maptech, called Chart Navigator Pro, which will run both Maptech Raster charts and S57 vectors...although the S57 "official HO" vector charts are expensive.
I would recommend that you wait for that as it also includes many new features including AIS and ARPA.
It's not actually a Maptech product and is licensed from another company.
You can download a free trial here..
http://www.rosepointnav.com/default.htm
For an almost free program that runs C-mapNT or C-mapMax vector charts look here:
www.digiboat.com.au and download "software on board"
Again this is very full featured and uses C-mapNT charts that you will have to purchase from C-mapUK.
Seapro lite is very good value for money, and includes all "livecharts" of the UK for £99 making it much better value than either the Imray or RYA plotter.
Download a trial version here:
www.euronav.co.uk
Personally it's not my favourite program or charts, but it is terrific value..and it does the job.
What would I recommend??
Well only two programs really...CmapECS..oldish program and charts but still one of the best offerings about. Not available to buy now unfortunately.
What would I really really recommend...only one...MAXSEA.
It is undoubtedly the best. absolutely no contest at all..is multi fuel uses virtually all types of charts, in its best version has every knob bell and whistle that you can think of.
Trouble is it costs.....anything from £399 to £799 or more depending on which version you get.
But they say you get what you pay for and if you pay for it you will not be disappointed........... guaranteed.
Best of the rest..just to be fair:
Seaclear..free program but you will need to scan charts.
Navmaster Offshore from PC Maritime, uses either Admiralty ARCS or CM93/3 vectors.
Nobeltec Admiral..american program..expensive but a lot like Maxsea in that it does everything and is also multi fuel. Uses Transas Vector Charts.
Tsunamis99/Transas navigator..not sure whether this is still available as the transas leisure website appears to have closed...not a bad program and has a fairly big userbase..single fuel..vector only.
Hope that covers everything.
PM me if you need anymore info.
Steve.
whisper
Well-Known Member
Mine just arrived today - Poole to the Scillies plus a bit of N.Devon. Actually I'm impressed with the comprehensiveness of the contents so far, though it will take me a while to become "fluent" with it. This is a reflection on me being "non techie", not the design of the system.
I suspect that I'll only use it for passage planning as I've not yet dared take my confuser to sea with me.
My impression is that you do get a lot of charts/chartlets for the money - cheaper than buying the paper ones I think.
I suspect that I'll only use it for passage planning as I've not yet dared take my confuser to sea with me.
My impression is that you do get a lot of charts/chartlets for the money - cheaper than buying the paper ones I think.