Navigation

[Allan]

I have just got a new new laptop and fancy trying some electronic navigation. Does anyone know of anywhere I can get some demo programs to play with and hopefully help me decide which system to buy.

 

[Swanrad2]

There was a great article in PBO a couple of months ago, download it cause I've lost it.

 

[Talbot]

Seaclear plotting software is free but charts will be the problem as you will have to pay for them.

 

[Richard10002]

I downloaded this:

http://www.digiboat.com.au/

it has some demo areas, Sydney, Australia, Part of the English Channel - french side, and South of France... IIRC.

Having linked my GPS and tested it on the large scale world map, and having looked at the detail of the demo areas, I bought a C-Map Max cartridge and reader.

It works a treat strapped to the saloon table where I can see it from the wheel.

Cheers

Richard

 

[alant]

Re: Navigation-Why not use RYA Chartplotter CD?

Why not use the RYA Chartplotter, which is given away on DS Theory Courses.

 

[Guest]

Re: Navigation-Why not use RYA Chartplotter CD?

It would have to be free IMHO to make it worthwhile .... considering all the packages out there - this is a very poor attempt by those who should know better.......

 

[franky]

sea pro (Euronav) have a demo www.euronav.co.uk Tel 023 9237 3855 I have been using the full version for several years for planning and it works well for me.

 

[Tomkat17]

Try here. web page I now use this software and am very happy with it.

 

[Danny]

Do you have a scanner? Do you use the Admiralty folio paper charts? If so, then try OziExplorer (free demo version available). Scan in your charts (4 x A4 scans per chart) and splice them back together with a graphics package and you then have an electronic chart package that looks identical to your paper charts. When you update your charts either re-scan or use a suitable program to edit your 'electronic' version.

The initial effort in scanning and splicing the charts is considerable but a rewarding occupation for those long winter evenings dreaming of next season's sailing.