MAPTECH electonic charts & laptops

[CaptainThames]

A mate of mine - yes nonestly - is considering buying maptech elctroinc charts for use on a laptop.
2 questions:
1. Has anyone had any experience of maptech charts or can anyone recommend a different type for use with a laptop - cost is a factor.
2. He has a GPS to feed the laptop, but is this just a case of getting a lead from garmin and the software does the rest or does he need any additional sooftware to detect and use the gps signal from (presumably) the serial or USB port.
Have seen all this in use at boat shows but never had to start from scratch setting it up.
Any help appreciated.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

You might find this current thread over on PBO useful....

 

[Doffy]

No problems at all very simple, I have had it for a long time and use it to plan now.

 

[mjf]

Re: MAPTECH electonic charts & laptops

Agree with doffy, very simple and good to use.

The tide/current diamond ifo graphics in real time are good.

You can also load this to pda's using offshore navigator lite software that comes with the maptech disc in the uk.

I find both v good to use and provides a super set of back up kit to the main plotters/GPS etc .