newboater
New member
Does anyone use a Navigational Application for a PC which they would recommend?
On board PC Navigation Software?
- Thread starter newboater
- Start date
BarryH
Active member
I've used Maptec. The charts look as they would normally and you can connect the gps to give current position and realtime updates as you go. The planning and way point up/down load is fairy easy, and thats coming from a computer dunce!!
The charts come on cd rom. You choose your area and purchace the cd to cover that area. The charts are raster charts (I think thats what they call them) forms of the real thing. Web site is www.maptech.com Lots of info on it, so its worth a look.
OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!
The charts come on cd rom. You choose your area and purchace the cd to cover that area. The charts are raster charts (I think thats what they call them) forms of the real thing. Web site is www.maptech.com Lots of info on it, so its worth a look.
OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!
claymore
Well-known member
Try Dolphin Maritime software - based in Lancaster, they have a website which is quite informative. Someone is bound to recommend tsunamis and pc maritime as well.
regards
Claymore
regards
Claymore
newboater
New member
Thanks BarryH, i'll have a look into it.
newboater
New member
Thank you Claymore, the more info the better!
davel
Active member
Take a look at OziExplorer (<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.oziexplorer.com>http://www.oziexplorer.com</A>). It does everything you're likely to want from a package (create waypoints, record tracks, plan routes, real time plotting of your position as you sail along, control auto-pilot etc etc). Works with Maptech charts and will also let you use scanned images of your existing paper charts - excellent way of saving money as well as allowing you to use the system in places where Maptech doesn't reach.
Free demo version available from the web site and the licensed version only costs 50 quid. Great value for money and highly recommended.
Dave L.
Free demo version available from the web site and the licensed version only costs 50 quid. Great value for money and highly recommended.
Dave L.
G
Guest
Guest
Cant go wrong with "Navigator" software by Transas (old version better known as Tsunamis99),
digitalized Naval charts interfaced GPS, electronic log book, play back feature, plus many more
features excellent.
"The Med is calling me"
digitalized Naval charts interfaced GPS, electronic log book, play back feature, plus many more
features excellent.
"The Med is calling me"
charles_reed
Active member
Maxsea is the one used by most of the singlehand offshore racers - allows you to download grib files, use polar diagrams to forecast fastest routes/weather/sailplans.
Reads any extant vector or raster chart formats, interfaces in NMEA with most modern instrumentation via RS232 or USB1.1 ports.
It's probably too comprehensive for most recreational sailors.
Written by Informatique & Mer, Technopole Izarbel, 64210 Bidart, France tel 0033 559 438100.
Cheap and cheerful DOS based system is OZiexpress - great for passage planning on raster chart formats - shareware. Available from a number of web-sites.
Most of the others are far too unstable, lack effective development and gave major glitches.
I wouldn't run Maxsea on anything but NT (Win2000Pro) or Linux - I use a dedicated chartplotter - PCs are far to improbably engineered to do a mission-critical job at sea.
Reads any extant vector or raster chart formats, interfaces in NMEA with most modern instrumentation via RS232 or USB1.1 ports.
It's probably too comprehensive for most recreational sailors.
Written by Informatique & Mer, Technopole Izarbel, 64210 Bidart, France tel 0033 559 438100.
Cheap and cheerful DOS based system is OZiexpress - great for passage planning on raster chart formats - shareware. Available from a number of web-sites.
Most of the others are far too unstable, lack effective development and gave major glitches.
I wouldn't run Maxsea on anything but NT (Win2000Pro) or Linux - I use a dedicated chartplotter - PCs are far to improbably engineered to do a mission-critical job at sea.
david_bagshaw
Well-known member
Another vote for oziexplorer
David
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.euroboating.net>http://www.euroboating.net</A>
David
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.euroboating.net>http://www.euroboating.net</A>
stefan_r
New member
- Joined
- 16 May 2001
- Messages
- 753
- Location
- Southampton & Greece (Chios)
AlanPound
Member
Has anyone found a way to convert scanned charts (as for OziExplorer) such as they may be used with MaxSea?
Alan
Alan
kdf
New member
My opinions (everyone has one!:
Oziexplorer - bargain basement. Designed for hiking but usable for boats.
Raytech - nope. High price but way fewer features than other products
Seapro - ok but user interface leaves a lot to be desired.
Maxsea- echo other comments here but high priced.
Maptech - Good, reasonable price. Like to see ARCS support but will never happen.
Nobeltech - Nice products, more U.S. centric.
PC Maritime - Nice product, polished, but not sure where the product is going long term. High price again.
If I was buying one today which would I buy?
- Probably Maptech. Enough features and lots of reasonably priced charts.
Oziexplorer - bargain basement. Designed for hiking but usable for boats.
Raytech - nope. High price but way fewer features than other products
Seapro - ok but user interface leaves a lot to be desired.
Maxsea- echo other comments here but high priced.
Maptech - Good, reasonable price. Like to see ARCS support but will never happen.
Nobeltech - Nice products, more U.S. centric.
PC Maritime - Nice product, polished, but not sure where the product is going long term. High price again.
If I was buying one today which would I buy?
- Probably Maptech. Enough features and lots of reasonably priced charts.
G
Guest
Guest
Try SeaClear, seems to do the bus., not used by me in anger but tested ok. It's free at http://www.sping.com/seaclear/ . You have to scan paper charts and calibrate the images.