Navigational software for PC?

[baffled]

Where should I be looking for software which will enable me to sit at my office desk, life jacket on, and learn the noble art of navigation. I would like something which will enable me to peruse charts local to anglesey. I may want to then invest in a hi tech navigational system. Raymarine or Navtech once I get a feel for what I am doing. I would like to get one of the systems that not only shows me where I am am, but also what is underneath me. A 3d graphical representation would be nice. I figure the initital outlay will save me long term because I wont be where I shouldnt be! Sandbanks etc etc. I want something which I can use to interact with any hardware I buy

I think I need a role playing copy of "Doom - The Menai Straits episode"

What is best?

David

 

[steverow]

There are a few packages around that will do what you want.
Undoubtedly the best is Maxsea, but is pricey.
Maptech Chart Navigator Pro comes a close second and is much cheaper but only raster charts are available for the UK, unless you want to go to the expense of buying admiralty commercial shipping charts S57's for the area you need.
As to whether you can use the underwater 3D facilities depends on whether there is the Bathymetry available for your area of interest, and you will need to check this with the software supplier.
Maxsea has a useful feature called a "Personal Bathymetry Generator" which records the seabed when you travel over it, in that way you can build up a complete sonar image of your frequently travelled routes.

www.maxsea.com

www.maptech-marine.co.uk


Hope this helps a bit.

Steve.

 

[baffled]

thaks for that

the Maxsea looks interesting. If I mastered the basics on my PC what hardware would I need to utilise it on the boat? Would I buy a raymarine or similar unit. If that is the case would the software provided with the onboard unit become obsolete. Can I buy an onboard unit with software which I could also install on my pc. That would seem more logical.

 

[goochie]

Re: thaks for that

Navionics (used in Raymarine) offer Nav-Planner for the PC which basically replicates the raymarine interface on the PC. This is fairly new software though, so can't offer opinions on performance, although usability should be fine. As a basic intro there is also Raymarine Raytech Navigator which is available as a free download. This will work with Raymarine carts. and you can plan your route/waypoints etc. and then load them into your plotter. If you want to use the software with your boat hardware you have to cough up some cash for the posh version. I've yet to give it a proper workout, but it seems pretty good for a freebie.

 

[drewstwos]

Hi
You might care to look at SeaClear. its a freebie i downloaded and its uses the maptech charts on CD... also it can be linked to an autopilot if you want. I am getting to grips with it... My little GPS receive works at home with it too. Google will find it. I downloaded it onto an external HD and installed it from there..
If I can help more with this PM me.
Drew.

 

[steverow]

Re: thaks for that

Just use a Laptop, most of us who use PC's onboard do. You can connect your GPS to laptop, laptop to autopilot, and radar etc etc for a completely integrated system.
It's far more versatile and does more than any fixed plotter arrangement.
Also with the right radio and software you can also receive Navtex and Weather Charts on your laptop, send and RX emails etc.
The possibilities are limitless really.

If you need to use it outside on the Flybridge or Cockpit etc then you will need a waterproof high brightness screen which you can connect to your Laptop via a VGA cable.
Control is then achieved by using either a wireless keyboard and mouse (or just mouse), or with a wired KVM changeover unit.

Steve.

 

[steverow]

Seaclear is fine but not really for beginners, although I agree it's a great program if you know your way around.
It's one major drawback is that it only utilises BSB charts up to version three, which are not now available off the shelf, as all BSB charts from Maptech are now encypted version 4 and above.
You could always scan copy and calibrate your existing paper charts into Seaclear's native format, but personally I found my own efforts on this somewhat lacking in clarity, and it was very time consuming...even with an A3 Scanner.

Steve.

 

[Hurricane]

Another one
Memory-Map - uses the latest BSB/Maptech charts.

I use it all the time.

I've even written a little program to export routes and waypoints into the C-MAP system that I use on the boat.
The Memory-Map system uses raster charts whilst the boat systems (Raymarine) uses vector charts.

Two entirely separate systems - I plan my passages in one system and run in the other whilst still keeping the first system as a backup.
This way you can keep an eye on the accuracy of the charts as well.