Non AIS chart software

[dgadee]

I bought Memory Map's £50 UK and Ireland package because it was described as 'superb' for Antares charts (I already have Navionics and Visit My Harbour's offering). It turns out that you can't use AIS input with Memory Map unless you upgrade to the professional system.

Would you buy charting software these days without an AIS display facility? I wouldn't have done so if I had known.

 

[prv]

Would you buy charting software these days without an AIS display facility? I wouldn't have done so if I had known.

I don't particularly care about displaying AIS on the chart. I have a standalone AIS display.

I wouldn't necessarily assume it was an integral part of any charting software.

Pete

 

[roblpm]

I bought Memory Map's £50 UK and Ireland package because it was described as 'superb' for Antares charts (I already have Navionics and Visit My Harbour's offering). It turns out that you can't use AIS input with Memory Map unless you upgrade to the professional system.

Would you buy charting software these days without an AIS display facility? I wouldn't have done so if I had known.

Well no android tablet software has it as an overlay to the charts I think.

Inavx and maybe some others on ipad?

Can you use the charts on opencpn, then you have everything??

 

[dgadee]

Yes, OpenCPN works with Visitmyharbour stuff (http://www.visitmyharbour.com/charts-for-opencpn.asp) and looks much more attractive. I think Antares also works with OpenCPN.

I suppose my point was that AIS is so bog standard now that having it in the 'Professional' product only seems a bit silly. Waste of £50 anyway finding this out.

I use a PC at the chart table and an iPad with Navionics in the cockpit. My aim is to to be able to view the PC screen on the iPad, which seems feasible.

 

[cpedw]

I can confirm that Antares charts work fine on OpenCPN.

 

[roblpm]

Yes, OpenCPN works with Visitmyharbour stuff (http://www.visitmyharbour.com/charts-for-opencpn.asp) and looks much more attractive. I think Antares also works with OpenCPN.

I suppose my point was that AIS is so bog standard now that having it in the 'Professional' product only seems a bit silly. Waste of £50 anyway finding this out.

I use a PC at the chart table and an iPad with Navionics in the cockpit. My aim is to to be able to view the PC screen on the iPad, which seems feasible.

Try for a refund? I think distance selling regulations (actually now replaced by some other gobbledegook) allow you to return things for 14 days no questions I think if bought off the internet.

I hardly ever do this but my wife just buys 3 sizes of stuff off the internet and then sends the ones back that she doesnt want. From a variety of sites, no problem ever.

 

[prv]

Try for a refund? I think distance selling regulations (actually now replaced by some other gobbledegook) allow you to return things for 14 days no questions I think if bought off the internet.

Not usually allowed for software or other intangible media, on the grounds that you might have made a copy before returning it.

(They might agree to a refund anyway since it didn't meet your needs, but they're not obliged to by DSRs.)

Pete

 

[dgadee]

Not usually allowed for software or other intangible media, on the grounds that you might have made a copy before returning it.

(They might agree to a refund anyway since it didn't meet your needs, but they're not obliged to by DSRs.)

Pete

Yes - software exempt. I was in touch with them this morning and no offer of refund. They said, "I have passed your comment on to our marketing staff to see if they can make changes to how the product is advertised." Won't be back to Memory Map in a hurry.

 

[Martin&Rene]

What seems really annoying is that an old thread suggests that the USA version does suport AIS.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-264735.html

 

[roblpm]

Aha obviously only good for my wifes clothes habit! Thats good to know!

 

[BlueChip]

I bought Memory Map's £50 UK and Ireland package because it was described as 'superb' for Antares charts (I already have Navionics and Visit My Harbour's offering). It turns out that you can't use AIS input with Memory Map unless you upgrade to the professional system.

Would you buy charting software these days without an AIS display facility? I wouldn't have done so if I had known.

I use Seaclear which displays AIS data with Admiralty charts from http://www.visitmyharbour.com/charts-for-seaclear.asp
£29.50 for the whole UK and install on multiple machines

 

[ianj99]

I bought Memory Map's £50 UK and Ireland package because it was described as 'superb' for Antares charts (I already have Navionics and Visit My Harbour's offering). It turns out that you can't use AIS input with Memory Map unless you upgrade to the professional system.

Would you buy charting software these days without an AIS display facility? I wouldn't have done so if I had known.

Its only $49 to upgrade to the pro features version which you need to get any data over wifi or bluetooth. The AIS data is available from the Overlays option in the menu.

However I am not impressed with Memory Maps lack of transparency on exactly what features are available and also how much the various upgrades cost. I don't think you need the full Memory Map Professional, or at least I hope you don't otherwise its a thumbs down for it. The help, which is online only, unhelpfully does not mention which version you need when you look at the AIS pages.

 

[ianj99]

I use Seaclear which displays AIS data with Admiralty charts from http://www.visitmyharbour.com/charts-for-seaclear.asp
£29.50 for the whole UK and install on multiple machines

Not on a tablet it doesn't because there is no way to get AIS data into it since Marine Navigator which is needed to run it on Android only uses the devices built in GPS - a major shortcoming not due to be rectified anytime soon.

 

[sailorman]

I can confirm that Antares charts work fine on OpenCPN.

as does AIS with the Belfield dongle

 

[dgadee]

Its only $49 to upgrade to the pro features version which you need to get any data over wifi or bluetooth. The AIS data is available from the Overlays option in the menu.

However I am not impressed with Memory Maps lack of transparency on exactly what features are available and also how much the various upgrades cost. I don't think you need the full Memory Map Professional, or at least I hope you don't otherwise its a thumbs down for it. The help, which is online only, unhelpfully does not mention which version you need when you look at the AIS pages.

Memory Map replied to me:

"Yes to use the AIS function on Memory-Map you would need to buy the Memory-Map professional upgrade. To be fair we don't market the product with AIS being a feature, when asked by customers if you can use AIS with the charts we do state "yes" if you buy the professional features upgrade."

 

[ianj99]

Memory Map replied to me:

"Yes to use the AIS function on Memory-Map you would need to buy the Memory-Map professional upgrade. To be fair we don't market the product with AIS being a feature, when asked by customers if you can use AIS with the charts we do state "yes" if you buy the professional features upgrade."

Why don't they make this clear on their website? There is NO mention of which version you need to view AIS data so not impressed and won't be upgrading. I have to say that I'm finding that a lot of app vendors do not make it easy to find out exactly what the upgrades cost and what you get for the extra cost. I assume they rely on the in-app purchase making it easy and tempting, whereas if they were up front, you could be put off.

 

[ianj99]

Memory map confusion

Why don't they make this clear on their website? There is NO mention of which version you need to view AIS data so not impressed and won't be upgrading. I have to say that I'm finding that a lot of app vendors do not make it easy to find out exactly what the upgrades cost and what you get for the extra cost. I assume they rely on the in-app purchase making it easy and tempting, whereas if they were up front, you could be put off.

I also asked them to clarify the costs - their answer:
"To run Memory-Map Marine charts the best product to buy is the UK and Ireland DVD which is priced at £50.00. The charts are licensed to be installed on five of your devices, so you could install on your PC and Android device as well as another three.

To use the AIS feature within Memory-Map you would need to buy the Memory-Map professional upgrade. This is offered via the App the first time you try to us the AIS. The licence is purchased from Memory-Map USA and is priced at $45 or just your Android device or $125.00 for your PC as well. You get the opportunity to activate the licence as a demo before you choose to buy."

So not as costly as expected as you need the $49.95 upgrade to use an external gps/nmea source anyway, so the total I have paid was £25 for the UKHO charts, and $49.95 when I upgraded. (This is for the Android only upgrade, its $125 for PC + Android) Note that the $45 stated by Memory Map Uk is incorrect, its $49.95. This is one disorganised company - buy the charts from MM UK in sterling, but the upgrade is from MM USA in $ so works out at about £30, total cost for Android only devices - £55 which is very reasonable.

Ian

 

[dgadee]

It is more costly than I, certainly, expected. A waste of £50 to me.