Navigation software ScanNav 4.0

[scannav]

Hello every body

As a new user of this forum, let me introduce myself first:
I have a passion for sailing since a long time with also some small programming skills as a software engineer, so I decided to mix both activities a few years ago to make a navigation software. After a lot of sleepless nights holidays and week-ends ScanNav is now getting one of the popular navigation softwares at least in France, as it has only been dispatched by a mouth to ear process. It is available in English and French versions. A users forum is accessible at http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/scannav/. It is mostly French speaking for now, but you are welcome to post in English.

So just a few words to announce the availability of the new release of
ScanNav 4.0. This version brings on top of other improvements a GRIB
module letting you display weather forecasts overlayed on the maps.
Resume of ScanNav features are:
- moving map software with continuous display of adjacent maps (Seamless)
- Gps interface (real time + upload/download)
- On board NMEA instruments interfacing (speed log, compas, wind, sound) with adapted displays, and logged with the current track
- waypoints, routes, danger area definitions
- Navigation control with alarms and heading correction
- Grib weather forecast module
- Full Charts Workshop letting you build your own charts
- Support of most popular raster commecial charts: BSB (including latest 4.0 version), other Maptech formats, Softcharts, etc...

A free trial version is available for download on my site

Wishing you all a great navigation season

Best regards
Marc
http://www.scannav.com


<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.scannav.com

 

[cliff]

Business advertising? tsk. tsk. tsk. see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/ybw/ipc.htm> HERE</A> and in particular section 6.3

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[scannav]

Hi Cliff

I agree my post might have sound a bit commercial, and I did fear this type of reaction.
But how can we make the difference between commercial adds and information ?
I could also have presented myself as a satisfied user talking about a great software I had just discovered, but I hate these practices, am a very poor commercial and prefer to stay honest, and in touch with the users.
I can assure you that if I had developped ScanNav in a business objective, I would have stopped a long time ago, and you would never have heard about me. Now of course, if I can get a little return on investissement, it would'nt bother me
If you understand a little bit of French, have a look at the users Forum, you'll get a better idea of how ScanNav is developped.

Best regards, and great navigations
Marc

PS: your hammer is great!

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.scannav.com

 

[mirabriani]

I like the hammer too. look at it for ages. Sad is it not?
Briani

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[MapisM]

Now, that's what I'd call a refreshingly direct approach!
You didn't want to cheat, presenting yourself as a satisfied user, therefore you went openly against the forum rules...
I hope you won't be kimmerized, such a honest approach deserves a place in the forum! /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

But the reason of my post is that it I appreciate the opportunity to get in contact with someone who spent time and thoughts on the development of navigation sw. In fact, I've been wondering since years why each of these softwares is lacking one functionality which should be relatively easy to develop.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=pbo&Number=270485&Search=true&Forum=pbo&Words=autoroute&Match=Or&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=270063>This</A> is a post explaining my doubt, which I wrote at the end of 2002.
Thanks in advance for your valuable opinion on this subject.

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[scannav]

Hello

This is an interesting approach(1), but is not feasable in ScanNav for as today for several reasons: There are globally 2 types of charts: Vector, and Raster charts. Your idea would request supporting the vector type charts, whereas ScanNav only supports Raster technology charts as for today (2). The main difference between both technologies (appart from the price! ) is that as you say, Vector charts are *supposed* to to include all necessary information in an "intelligible way", and that Raster charts are globally just a scan of the paper charts with no other information other then the referencement points to calculate positions on the chart, one which you can add waypoints, routes, danger areas etc as a layer to them.
Now, when you say "it should be easy to develop", I hope you allow a little ponderation in your affirmation... I'd be interrested on knowing the results of Tim's work on the subject.
(1) From my point of view, "interresting" means on the technical aspect, and maybe for big Cargo companies that have to think in terms of rentability, but these people (should) be experienced enough to do this without an entire automatic tool. For pleasure boating, I guess it is somehow a good thing to spend a little time to study the charts, and eventually give a little human interpretation especially on what you're going to want to see or avoid on the way.
Well, the nearest I could recommend you would be to have a look at MaxSea, with their routing module. But you have to be prepared to pay the price for that, and I don't think they have anything taking in account the shorelines etc... (but I may be wrong...)
(2) I will probably add the possibility of vector charts in a further release. I didn't do it yet for 2 main reasons: 1:time, 2rice of the charts (One of ScanNav's goal is to be affordable) . But as US now releases S57 charts for free, this might tiggle our European administrations to lower the prices...

Best regards,
Marc


<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.scannav.com

 

[frilaens]

Comparison?

I would be interested in Marc giving us his opinion of the current market; prices and functionality, for raster based chart plotters in return for "advertising" on the forum. As I read his post I have decided to try ScanNav (which is what he wants, of course) but as I have already tried another, which was free, I am wondering why I should pay €90 for his? Can he justify his product as other non-commercial forum users would have done?

Andy

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[Guest]

Invitation to join the large GPS group : see the address om my signature.

We have over a 100 members all over theorld and are always interested to look over / advise / test / assist GPS / Charting software.

We have various software co's in as well ..... Seanav, Maptech, Seaclear etc. etc. even been recc'd by Garmin Service to clients.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[scannav]

Re: Comparison?

Hi Andy,
Giving my opinion is kind of delicate, as it might be a little "influenced" So I guess it would be better for a user to give his opinion rather than me. If you understand a little French, the user Forum (http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/scannav) is quite active (132 users today). I guess some of them understand English, so you probably can post a message in English. A lot of them have also tried other softwares, and can give you relevant opinion.
The only thing I can say is that I only had satisfied users feed-back... (Let's hope the other ones didn't sink! ). I tried giving a brief description of the functionalities in my first post, now I think the best might be to compare with other softwares by testing both as impartial users. As for the price, I let you judge if it's justified or not. I of course will answer to specific questions and suggestions, either or on the forum, or in private so as not to be too intrusive.

Best regards,
Marc

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.scannav.com

 

[scannav]

Hi Nigel
Thanks for the invitation. I actually did subscribe yesterday. This seams great!

Marc

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.scannav.com

 

[MapisM]

Thanks for your feedback. I'm with you on most of your comments.
OK, when I said "relatively easy to develop", by "relatively" I meant that it should be neither rocket science nor a trivial game... something in between maybe!?
Anyway, I never considered to spend a lot for such a piece of software, even if it would exist.
Yes, maybe I would have used that in a couple of occasion, but normally I'm more than happy to take my time on traditional route planning.
BTW, that makes the crew feeling safer, 'cause they think that the captain's doing a great job... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Guest]

Like most groups they need new imput ....

Over 900 members .... I correct !!

Welcome

<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/