Fergus
Well-Known Member
What's the verdict on this program? Any good?
Thanks!
Thanks!
MaxSea chartplotter - views?
- Thread starter Fergus
- Start date
fisherman
Well-Known Member
Fine when it's running OK, but sudden crashes from time to time. Like a computer really. Could be better.
You realise the boat icon is not moving, and the next mouse click will banjax the whole thing, so shut down and restart. sometimes 3 times a day. Settings lost. My son who professes to know about this stuff, says software not so good. Olex runs with Linux, any better?
You realise the boat icon is not moving, and the next mouse click will banjax the whole thing, so shut down and restart. sometimes 3 times a day. Settings lost. My son who professes to know about this stuff, says software not so good. Olex runs with Linux, any better?
Talbot
Well-Known Member
I havent had any problems with my Maxsea. I like the programme
Oldhand
Well-Known Member
I also have no problems with it, even on a slow 800MHz Celeoron PC. The main advantage of MaxSea over rivals is the wide range of catrography types which can be used with it.
Ocean Hound
Well-Known Member
Major, major issues getting GPS units to interface- doesn't seem to like Garmin, USB connections and have a string of serial connectors some of which work some of the time. Best results have been with a GPS mouse/USB but even then it doesn't fire up every time - very frustrating. When it does work it very good although I told as it is a big ship system some of the inshore depths are not always what they should. I wouldn't buy it again-I'm sure there are equally as good systems out there that are proven reliable. Their Support Line not much good either, they just refer you to a French Ph No which never gets answered. If there are any other users out there I would like to know how they dealt with the issues.
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Major, major issues .... If there are any other users out there I would like to know how they dealt with the issues.
[/ QUOTE ]I read this as if you were describing something which I had never had the misfortune to meet... I have been using MaxSea to nav with for the past 4 years, never a crash, never a glitch, no trouble interfacing to either of two Garmin GPS's.
That said, I have no experience of other PC based software, so cant make comparitive comments. MaxSea is quirky, but one gets used to it fairly quickly. It has the advantage of running both on the (old and dedicated) laptop on the boat, and on my super desktop, which means planning at home is easy, and then I take the planned route to the boat on a USB 'disk'.
My experience with the reliability of MaxSea is supported by that of the person who originally recommended it, he also has never had a crash or glitch. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Major, major issues .... If there are any other users out there I would like to know how they dealt with the issues.
[/ QUOTE ]I read this as if you were describing something which I had never had the misfortune to meet... I have been using MaxSea to nav with for the past 4 years, never a crash, never a glitch, no trouble interfacing to either of two Garmin GPS's.
That said, I have no experience of other PC based software, so cant make comparitive comments. MaxSea is quirky, but one gets used to it fairly quickly. It has the advantage of running both on the (old and dedicated) laptop on the boat, and on my super desktop, which means planning at home is easy, and then I take the planned route to the boat on a USB 'disk'.
My experience with the reliability of MaxSea is supported by that of the person who originally recommended it, he also has never had a crash or glitch. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
fisherman
Well-Known Member
perhaps it's because i'm running the 2D 3D seabed mapping: certainly that slows things down , you can wait five seconds for a change of scale.
Achilles
Well-Known Member
Been running Maxsea For 4 years now, never had any problem interfacing to GPS or AIS. Takes a bit of getting used to but you can say the same for any piece of software. Good product, I'd certainly buy it again.
G
Guest
Guest
Oceanhound ---- you seem to be attributing XP\'s problems ...
You appear to be attributing XP's abysmal handling of things to Maxsea ....
Maxsea - no problem. If it's good enough to take V.O.R. out to sea - it's good enough for me ....
Seaclear is good as well ..... I'll have you know and its free.
You appear to be attributing XP's abysmal handling of things to Maxsea ....
Maxsea - no problem. If it's good enough to take V.O.R. out to sea - it's good enough for me ....
Seaclear is good as well ..... I'll have you know and its free.
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
Re: Oceanhound ---- you seem to be attributing XP\'s problems ...
[ QUOTE ]
You appear to be attributing XP's abysmal handling of things to Maxsea ....
[/ QUOTE ]What a strange thing to say, XP makes most things so much easier, esp things like interfacing sw to hardware. My 800Mhz Toshiba on the boat, and my desktop, are both running XP, I am still awaiting problems. But then, I dont run any freebie cheepoh software (apart from licenced OziExplorer) no games... most peeps blame XP for problems introduced by rubbish software, esp drivers.
[ QUOTE ]
You appear to be attributing XP's abysmal handling of things to Maxsea ....
[/ QUOTE ]What a strange thing to say, XP makes most things so much easier, esp things like interfacing sw to hardware. My 800Mhz Toshiba on the boat, and my desktop, are both running XP, I am still awaiting problems. But then, I dont run any freebie cheepoh software (apart from licenced OziExplorer) no games... most peeps blame XP for problems introduced by rubbish software, esp drivers.
Ocean Hound
Well-Known Member
What do you use by way of a GPS interface - I seem to get inumerable problems on Maxsea not recognising or opening serial ports 1-10
thanks
thanks
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
I am using the standard (9pin?) serial interface. What happens in terms of com ports is transparent to me, these things only show up when you have problems. What I do get is conflict between the mouse and the GPS if I have the GPS powered up before booting the PC. Having that conflict originally, I just power the GPS up after booting and thus have no problem.
If you are having port allocation problems, this sounds as if you are using a USB port?? and then you will have problems which are nothing to do with MaxSea. I have had that sort of problem interfacing my iPAQ to the desktop - if I use another USB port than the original, the port-mapping gets thrown and messages appear. Fixed by backing off and using the original USB port. Of course, this may not be the same as your problem. Have you tried describing your symptoms on Nigel's GPS website??
If you are having port allocation problems, this sounds as if you are using a USB port?? and then you will have problems which are nothing to do with MaxSea. I have had that sort of problem interfacing my iPAQ to the desktop - if I use another USB port than the original, the port-mapping gets thrown and messages appear. Fixed by backing off and using the original USB port. Of course, this may not be the same as your problem. Have you tried describing your symptoms on Nigel's GPS website??
G
Guest
Guest
????? XP\'s problems ...
Bluetooth ..... Win XP SP2 - effectively kills it. Comment from BOTH IT company's we use out here .....
USB virtual ports assigned automatically and dynamic - if you plug in different USB socket next time - no joy.
GPS via USB - jumping cursor where XP installs Mouse Pointer - never saw that happen with Win before XP.
Difficulty changing port assignments PERMANENTLY - a matter that all Win before XP had no problem with.
The above are just a few small examples of how XP has brightened our days .....
Yes I agree that in many ways XP has made various tasks easier and more useable - but it has also especially after installation of SP2 taken away some aspects that user could assign / alter / determine .......
Final comment - who hasn't removed WGA tool yet from their PC ? Sorry but even though my Windows is Genuine - I do not like MS making a spy-tool part of their Critical Update and installing WGA on my machine .... Very happy that another wrote the RemoveWGA program and made it a free download on web ...
Bluetooth ..... Win XP SP2 - effectively kills it. Comment from BOTH IT company's we use out here .....
USB virtual ports assigned automatically and dynamic - if you plug in different USB socket next time - no joy.
GPS via USB - jumping cursor where XP installs Mouse Pointer - never saw that happen with Win before XP.
Difficulty changing port assignments PERMANENTLY - a matter that all Win before XP had no problem with.
The above are just a few small examples of how XP has brightened our days .....
Yes I agree that in many ways XP has made various tasks easier and more useable - but it has also especially after installation of SP2 taken away some aspects that user could assign / alter / determine .......
Final comment - who hasn't removed WGA tool yet from their PC ? Sorry but even though my Windows is Genuine - I do not like MS making a spy-tool part of their Critical Update and installing WGA on my machine .... Very happy that another wrote the RemoveWGA program and made it a free download on web ...
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
Re: ????? XP\'s problems ...
[ QUOTE ]
Bluetooth ..... Win XP SP2 - effectively kills it. Comment from BOTH IT company's we use out here .....
[/ QUOTE ]
I use Bluetooth OK, keyboard, mouse.
[ QUOTE ]
USB virtual ports assigned automatically and dynamic - if you plug in different USB socket next time - no joy.
[/ QUOTE ]
As I remember, pre XPSP2, getting ports assigned for USB was a bit of a hassle...
[ QUOTE ]
GPS via USB - jumping cursor where XP installs Mouse Pointer - never saw that happen with Win before XP.
[/ QUOTE ]True, but easily overcome
[ QUOTE ]
Difficulty changing port assignments PERMANENTLY - a matter that all Win before XP had no problem with.
[/ QUOTE ]Not so, I had enormous problems with Win2000 and my iPAQ
Your comments about WGA, well that is a personal choice, it doesnt bother me. But how did you manage with WiFi before XPSP2?? I had terrible problems getting my WiFi to go, using my own WiFi dongle with another make WiFi server. With SP2, WiFi became child's play. That alone, I could forgive a lot for.
And handling hibernation and stand-by... a true JOY. I just hit the button on my desktop, or close the lid on my laptop, and when I open up again, within 6 seconds, my desktop, and all that was open on it, are back.............MAGIC.
[ QUOTE ]
Bluetooth ..... Win XP SP2 - effectively kills it. Comment from BOTH IT company's we use out here .....
[/ QUOTE ]
I use Bluetooth OK, keyboard, mouse.
[ QUOTE ]
USB virtual ports assigned automatically and dynamic - if you plug in different USB socket next time - no joy.
[/ QUOTE ]
As I remember, pre XPSP2, getting ports assigned for USB was a bit of a hassle...
[ QUOTE ]
GPS via USB - jumping cursor where XP installs Mouse Pointer - never saw that happen with Win before XP.
[/ QUOTE ]True, but easily overcome
[ QUOTE ]
Difficulty changing port assignments PERMANENTLY - a matter that all Win before XP had no problem with.
[/ QUOTE ]Not so, I had enormous problems with Win2000 and my iPAQ
Your comments about WGA, well that is a personal choice, it doesnt bother me. But how did you manage with WiFi before XPSP2?? I had terrible problems getting my WiFi to go, using my own WiFi dongle with another make WiFi server. With SP2, WiFi became child's play. That alone, I could forgive a lot for.
And handling hibernation and stand-by... a true JOY. I just hit the button on my desktop, or close the lid on my laptop, and when I open up again, within 6 seconds, my desktop, and all that was open on it, are back.............MAGIC.
steverow
Well-Known Member
Re: Oceanhound ---- you seem to be attributing XP\'s problems ...
This depends on what version of Maxsea you are running.
Version 10.1 and 10.3 were never intended to run on the appalling (for Nav) WinXP. They sit much more happily on Win2K or even 98.
Later versions 11 and 12 will run OK on XP but there have always been minor niggles.
Be aware that version 12 uses direct X which will give some compatibility problems on aged computers graphics chips.
For my money Maxsea is by far the best Nav Prog available...
Version 10.3 is the most stable, although only version 12.5 available off the shelf now.
The only program that comes close is the new Maptech Chart navigator Pro...which is also very good but can only use Raster Charts in the UK.
For the original poster, I can only go on my experience and that of others, and that is to say that if you buy Maxsea it will be money well spent, and you will be safe in the knowledge that you have the most developed and versatile leisure Nav product on the market.
Steve.
This depends on what version of Maxsea you are running.
Version 10.1 and 10.3 were never intended to run on the appalling (for Nav) WinXP. They sit much more happily on Win2K or even 98.
Later versions 11 and 12 will run OK on XP but there have always been minor niggles.
Be aware that version 12 uses direct X which will give some compatibility problems on aged computers graphics chips.
For my money Maxsea is by far the best Nav Prog available...
Version 10.3 is the most stable, although only version 12.5 available off the shelf now.
The only program that comes close is the new Maptech Chart navigator Pro...which is also very good but can only use Raster Charts in the UK.
For the original poster, I can only go on my experience and that of others, and that is to say that if you buy Maxsea it will be money well spent, and you will be safe in the knowledge that you have the most developed and versatile leisure Nav product on the market.
Steve.
Redmond
Well-Known Member
Have been using since July when I started it in La Rochelle and have the following points:
Despite saying fully compatable with C-Map you have to specify that you want to use C-Map otherwise it wont read the files. You then need a fix from Maxsea
Support is crap. The electronic switch board has an option for support and then tells you ring your dealer. If as in my case he is to shy to ring because he cannt speak french your in the poo. I solved this by ringing their sales line, suprise they new about me due to dealers emails but hadn't bothered to react, you get the impression that they couldnt care less, although most spoke perfect English.
They have a premium rate charge helpline!!! and expect you to use this.
C-map comes with tidal arrows and strength - but Maxsea want to sell you their own and therfore wont activate them
Actual use is fairly intuitive but I have problems with computer seeing NMEA data as mouse and going beserk! Have solved this by disconocting NMEA whilst starting up computer, but still sometimes happens when plugging in or unplugging usb CABLES.
My Laptop has 3 USB ports so you need USB extension port to run as Maxsea takes feeds from Radar and other items.
When I set mine up there were no USB NMEA inputs so I had to use a serial to USB adapter and this may be part of the problem
Despite saying fully compatable with C-Map you have to specify that you want to use C-Map otherwise it wont read the files. You then need a fix from Maxsea
Support is crap. The electronic switch board has an option for support and then tells you ring your dealer. If as in my case he is to shy to ring because he cannt speak french your in the poo. I solved this by ringing their sales line, suprise they new about me due to dealers emails but hadn't bothered to react, you get the impression that they couldnt care less, although most spoke perfect English.
They have a premium rate charge helpline!!! and expect you to use this.
C-map comes with tidal arrows and strength - but Maxsea want to sell you their own and therfore wont activate them
Actual use is fairly intuitive but I have problems with computer seeing NMEA data as mouse and going beserk! Have solved this by disconocting NMEA whilst starting up computer, but still sometimes happens when plugging in or unplugging usb CABLES.
My Laptop has 3 USB ports so you need USB extension port to run as Maxsea takes feeds from Radar and other items.
When I set mine up there were no USB NMEA inputs so I had to use a serial to USB adapter and this may be part of the problem