poter
Well-Known Member
As Maptech are no longer around which PC based charting software & charts do I get?
There is a dedicated PC on board running Windows XP
There is a dedicated PC on board running Windows XP
PC Based charts
- Thread starter poter
- Start date
Cappen Boidseye
Well-Known Member
I use Seapro lite, it works well, as well as the App on my Iphone. Or rather, as well as the App used to work until the last 'upgrade'.
poter
Well-Known Member
seapro
Which charts do you use, where do i get em?
Which charts do you use, where do i get em?
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
charts
simple cheap stuff
simple cheap stuff
Cappen Boidseye
Well-Known Member
It came with full UK chartage (Livecharts). If I remember right it cost £70 or more, including UK charts, but after I bounced the cost against the cost of paper charts I decided to go for it.
It works well and doesn't crash, I use an old GPS dongle which came with Microsoft Autoroute 2006 and which works really well.
Recently I transferred the software to a small netbook to cut down the amount of battery power I was using, it runs on the netbook but is a bit sluggish. I have to admit the netbook is second hand and a bit limited. I am not buying brand new electronics to sit in a salty environment!
geoid96
Well-Known Member
NickRobinson
Well-Known Member
Currently using official Memory Map- all uk for £40. I use Totaltide alongside for tides/currents.
Runs on my laptop and phone. Licences easily transferred .
I also have Transas Tsunamis, very highly specced, but old fashioned and no updates for years.
Open CPN is ok for a freebie, bit over simplified.
I hate Imray (which I paid for- ) no updates, buggy, yellow and green conventions reversed for drying areas/land!
Nick
Runs on my laptop and phone. Licences easily transferred .
I also have Transas Tsunamis, very highly specced, but old fashioned and no updates for years.
Open CPN is ok for a freebie, bit over simplified.
I hate Imray (which I paid for- ) no updates, buggy, yellow and green conventions reversed for drying areas/land!
Nick
Kerenza
Well-Known Member
As a long term user (sufferer) on Neptune I have just updated to the latest version which also included the latest admiralty charts ( April ).
Despite some software glitches when pushed hard it offers the most comprehensive planning options.
I turn on the tablet (explore 104) download the latest grib file, open Neptune and have immediate accurate tidal and route leg data based on the boat polars.
Proper course to steer and projected course over leg display for safety. All printed off for solas if required.
Plug in to boat nav station and upload route waypoints to helm plotter. Neptune picks up on board gps instead of built in one and collects AIs data from the radio.
Route changes in real time by simply dragging or inserting new ones and that fascinating option calculate optimum departure time. Everything I would do on a paper chart and more.
Kerenza
Despite some software glitches when pushed hard it offers the most comprehensive planning options.
I turn on the tablet (explore 104) download the latest grib file, open Neptune and have immediate accurate tidal and route leg data based on the boat polars.
Proper course to steer and projected course over leg display for safety. All printed off for solas if required.
Plug in to boat nav station and upload route waypoints to helm plotter. Neptune picks up on board gps instead of built in one and collects AIs data from the radio.
Route changes in real time by simply dragging or inserting new ones and that fascinating option calculate optimum departure time. Everything I would do on a paper chart and more.
Kerenza
alisdair4
Well-Known Member
Do you mean a Seapro Lite app for the Iphone? I couldn't find it in the App Store. Incidentally, I am a firm fan of Seapro - their customer service is very good.
Conachair
Guest
V3 just released. All you need is there, AIS works well, grib overlay, double click for object query. All good stuff.
ianj99
Well-Known Member
Don't overlook Belfield Chart Plotter.
Its about £70 including all 800 UK Raster (ARCS) charts or about £100 inc a gps dongle.
If you prefer vector charts, then strangely named US company Polarnavy charge about the same for their version with all UK AVCS charts.
I use both simulataneously - vector for overview and raster (being scans of the more familiar paper charts) for a zoomed in view.
Navmonpc supplies the nmea data to both and Polarview also comes with Polarcom a customisable instrument display. Polarview can also send data to an AP (Belfield can't).
Its about £70 including all 800 UK Raster (ARCS) charts or about £100 inc a gps dongle.
If you prefer vector charts, then strangely named US company Polarnavy charge about the same for their version with all UK AVCS charts.
I use both simulataneously - vector for overview and raster (being scans of the more familiar paper charts) for a zoomed in view.
Navmonpc supplies the nmea data to both and Polarview also comes with Polarcom a customisable instrument display. Polarview can also send data to an AP (Belfield can't).
NickRobinson
Well-Known Member
Conachair
Guest
nigelmercier
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I don't think SeaPro have an app... Yet! Their PC software is second to none, and superb customer service as you say. Another advantage is that you can install it on more than one PC.
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Tranona
Well-Known Member
What you choose is largely determined by the availability of charts for your cruising area - and this is likely to be different for the Med compared with UK.
I use Imray charts with Meridian software because they have the familiar charts for N Europe. Used it in the Med as well, and although the coverage is good for the eastern Med, not sure about the west as I only used the passage charts. Also for UK, the Meridian tides are very good.
Software easy to use and takes basic AIS. Run mine on a £300 laptop from Tescos and a GPS dongle from Maplin.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
And such joy the google earth plugin now works again. Luvin it
Not to mention the WXTides download which gives european stations. The default is good for USA and Holland.
I can't understand Nick's comment "Open CPN is ok for a freebie, bit over simplified", I think it is an excellent program.
RobbieW
Well-Known Member
Quite agree, Ive been using OCPN full time about 2 years now. Previously used Maxsea 10, about the only thing I still cant do is weather routing using a polar - but since it wasnt that good anyway it was mostly for amusement on a long passage
A few interface differences but you soon get used to those.Not exactly thread drift as I've started looking for, even buying
, more reliably updated charts than those I currently use. Seems a pity that chart compilers seem to get into bed with particular nav solutions suppliers. I like OCPN and would like to continue with it - anyone know a supplier of regularly updated worldwide BSB4 charts that would work with OCPNs plugin?
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prv
Well-Known Member
I believe VisitMyHarbour's latest offering is exactly this.
Note that they have two different products, one for use ashore and "not for navigation", one officially licensed by the UKHO as "for navigation". Make sure you're looking at the right one.
EDIT: Just noticed you said "worldwide". VMH does UK and possibly France.
Pete
NickRobinson
Well-Known Member
To be precise, it's the charts that are rather minimalist for some (UK) coasts when comparing like for like with Memory Map or even the elderly Transas.
I've not used the front end in anger.
Nick
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Ah! I think you are mixing up the Charting SW (OpenCPN) with the Chart set that is running on it (probably CM93). There are several Chart sets that will run on Open CPN both Vector and Analogue.
