PC based nav / planning software

[Divemaster1]

Looking for a PC based planning tool... Nothing too advanced at the moment, just want to plot in a couple of WP's and calculate rough distances.

Areas to cover would be UK & parts of Scandinavia.

Any good tools out there that you have experience with ? Licensed, Freeware or ShareWare.

Alf

 

[tr7v8]

Playing with Oziexplorer at present, good website and various downloads, also discussions on Yahoo groups. Not expensive if you wish to buy.

At this point Clive Neighbour leaps in shouting Tsunami!

Jim
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[oldgit]

As well as Tsunami(which I use)there is Navipro /seapro and 3/4 others at moment.All do simple to operate/skinflint versions for around 120 euros.most will also post you a rather nifty demo CD to play with if you ask.Also most come with a few charts to get you going.The world renowned expertand genius with regard to all things of this nature is Cneighbour who can also give any advice you may need on curtain materials for boats.

Oooh look its still not dark and its nearly 5pm

 

[hlb]

For rough distances I use a road map or atlas when at home or the plotter which is much better, on the boat.

<font color=blue> Haydn

 

[DavidJ]

Freeware try
http://www.sping.com/seaclear/

 

[jon_bailey]

But what about the charts?

I have seen several references to obscure newsgroups but as I'm worried about 'doing a Gary' then I have always steered clear. I also don't have an A2 scanner and we won't mention copyright or anything like that.

If you buy the charts, e.g. Maptech then I believe they include free basic software.

Am I missing something?

 

[Divemaster1]

Oziexplorer

Thanks,

Looks good and I will have a play some time....

Have scanned a North Sea Chart (My own 2182C) and will load this and do some basic checks for Long / Lat and distances, compare them with the chart.



Alf

 

[Renegade_Master]

I have several mates who use Tsunamis Navigator to good effect apparantly vectorised charts better then raster charts.

 

[h4nym]

Last summer we were cruising Brittany - Navmaster refused to recognise its dongle. hmmm... oh well - Microsoft Autoroute with the GPS module fired up - fun watching a little car symbol move about on the blue area!

Got very good at reading what's below the surface from reading what's going on AT the surface! Survived a night time run in Camaret nr Brest! Thank god it was a full moon that night!

Anyway - that works - still use Mappoint - Microsoft Autoroute's big brother - for quick route mapping! Easy conversion from statute to nautical miles.

 

[alastair]

I use Tsunamis 99 and find it very good, except that I am unable to send routes fron pc to my Garmin 128.
I am able to send routes from the GPS to Tsunamis, and my position is plotted corectly on Tsunamis.
So far I have:
Tested the interface lead
loaded Tsunamis on another laptop
Tried Garmin interface options: nmea/nmea and garmin/garmin
Ive been in contact with Garmin, and Tsunamis, but no progress, although Tsunamis have agreed to test.

Has anyone on the forum been able to upload routes from Tsunamis to a GPS (particularly a Garmin 128)?
Grateful for any help on this, its driving me mad!

Regards
Alastair

 

[Renegade_Master]

Never had the need to yet alastair though I use T99 (now Navigator) all the time. Just plan the passage at home then use my Garmin 12xl for the signal.
Have you talked to James Woodward of Transas? if not try that and mention my name Clive Neighbour

"Sun Coast Marine sea school in the sun"

 

[alastair]

Thanks for the feedback Clive. Im working with James on this, but so far no success. My reason for wanting to use this function is in case my PC crashes, inverter fails etc. I dont want to key in manually and make errors!

I had the idea today of inserting a crosover adapter when uploading from PC to GPS. Ill let you know the outcome

 

[Renegade_Master]

Damn good point about uploading waypoints from your Tsunamis plot to the gps in case of failure. I'll have to see if its possible on my Navigator Pro. Only today I plotted a course from Menorca to Costa Del Sol (500 plus miles) would be rather useful to have a fall back system.

"Sun Coast Marine sea school in the sun"

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

Question: Can you send waypoints from PC - > Garmin.
Trevor

 

[tr7v8]

Yup there is a transfer program which up and downloads waypoints etc. from all GPSs to PC.
In other words a GPS backup also supports import export of waypoints etc. works very well.

Its called GPSU and is at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.gpsu.co.uk/>http://www.gpsu.co.uk/</A>

Jim
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