Neptune Navigation Software

[Ian_Rob]

I am interested in this program. I had the trial version a couple of years ago and thought it was quite good but never purchased the licence.
Is it worth it? Anything better?

 

[DipperToo]

I use the Neptune Planner app on my android phone which has proven itself very useful as it has tidal data built in.

 

[PWLS08]

For completeness. Neptune Navigation Ltd will stop selling products by July 2024

Home page

 

[stuartwineberg]

It’s an outstandingly simple product to use and has been my go to passage planning tool for decades. In a few keystrokes it gives you passage time, best time to leave based on tides, course to steer for passage legs and a lot more. I wish them a very happy retirement.

 

[stuartwineberg]

Out of interest what alternatives do forumites use as I may need another product as my ancient computers start to die

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Memory Map Works on Windows at home for planning, IOS and Android tablets. Overlays AIS easily enough.

 

[DipperToo]

A real shame - I started as a beta tester and the program on Android had really evolved into a dependable planning package with tides and charts at reasonable subscription prices.

 

[MikeBz]

Out of interest what alternatives do forumites use as I may need another product as my ancient computers start to die

I use NavigationPLANNER 7 - Course planning software - NavigationPLANNER on my PC. It’s a bit slow and clunky, doesn’t do auto routing, but it does know about tidal streams/dates. If you create a route by adding waypoints then yiu can set the date you want to start and your average speed over the water and it runs the route departing every hour of the day with leg and overall times taking into account tidal streams. Mine came free with a Navionics Gold card I bought about 10years ago. Oh, and you can export routes and waypoints to a memory card and import them into Raymarine and B&G plotters.

 

[Ian_Rob]

It’s a pity somebody can’t buy the rights to continue it……..

 

[GBOOG]

There is no better programme and you do not need to be on the intrnet. Happy retirement to them.
Do not know what I will do when my computer gives up the ghost.

Colin Simpson

 

[stuartwineberg]

There is no better programme and you do not need to be on the intrnet. Happy retirement to them.
Do not know what I will do when my computer gives up the ghost.

Colin Simpson

Agree completely, it’s saved me hours of work. I have it on 2 legacy w7 machines and like you fear their demise

 

[Parabordi]

I am using Navigation Planner, they are retiring too but it's still available for now

 

[Ian_Rob]

Good News!

I am not sure if this has been raised by anyone in another post but according to the website, Neptune Navigation Software is making a comeback.

Neptune Navigation Software

 

[stuartwineberg]

Brilliant news. I’m using a windows 7 heritage computer for this an update will be very welcome. iPad app next???

 

[melvynpatrick]

I spoke to Sandra the original owners who said it would be on this month. I am waiting with baited breath. My old laptop is on its last legs so want a new version on my new one. I love this program

 

[dunedin]

Couple of questions:
1) What are the perceived benefits of Neptune over the wide range of other options available?
2) What source(s) of chart data does it use?
Thanks

 

[melvynpatrick]

Have a look at the website. It tells all there. I use it for course to steer, time etc. I could do it manually of course. But this program makes it much simpler and quicker. And is accurate. Me being lazy and prone to error. I don’t use it as a chart plotter like navionics and suchlike. But you can input ais and gps onto the charts. I used the outline charts for ages. But the full charts are fun.

 

[stuartwineberg]

Speed, simplicity and accuracy. Basically you plot your planned route on the chart by clicking waypoints, enter your desired date of travel and it calculates journey time based on your boat speed for every hour that day so at a glance you can see best time to depart and likely travel time. You can do a lot more as has been said but that basic function is a massive time saver.

 

[MikeBz]

It sounds very much like NavigationPlanner. Are there 2 products on the same software base?

 

[stuartwineberg]

It sounds very much like NavigationPlanner. Are there 2 products on the same software base?

Can't answer that - its the only package I have used