PC plotter software and Navionics Gold

Fascadale

Fascadale

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I'm considering replacing the Nauticpath (parts of the West Coast don't show) charting on my Lowrance plotter with Navionics Gold

I would also like to run the Navionics on my XP laptop. If I get a USB GPS what other software (recommendations please) do I need to turn the laptop into a chartplotter?

Could I then plug an AIS into the laptop and would it then display the AIS data on the plotter screen?

If so, what do I need to get ?

Is the Navionics Gold (all Britain) £160 better than the Nauticpath ?

I've looked at the Navionics website but it is not very informative.

Does the Navionics dislay tidal information graphically?

(Some of us find all this clever electric stuff a bit labyrinthine)

Thanks from a thicky
 
I use Navionics (on a plotter) and also have the Nauticpath - and certainly prefer the Navionics - I think the details is better - and certainly clearer - though suspect much is personal taste

To use on a PC you will need a special card reader that can decrypt the charts

In terms of PC based systems I have used (for view and planning only)
http://www.pcplotter.com/products.htm - which I hated - very unintuitive - may have improved a bit - but I sent my viewer back

I've also used the free viewer version of this:
http://www.raymarine.com/Default.aspx?site=1&section=2&page=710 - which for free is OK (and I reckoned better than the above) - interface was designed for use underway - so I felt a bit clunky - but does what I wanted and lets me view my charts on the laptop

Raytech link I saw says they are about to do a version with supports AIS

Yes - the navionics can display graphical tidal data IF whatever is displaying it has been programmed to do it.

There may be other software options - those are the 2 I know.

If you want a recommendation I'd say get a plotter and use the free raymarine on a PC !
 
I have both Navionics & Nauticpath.Navionics is by far superior in my view.Navionics are doing a £40 trade in for a Nauticpath chart if you buy a GoldXL9 until Dec31st 2008.Ring Navionics on 01752 204735 for info.I kept my Nauticpath card & bought a Lowrance black & white handheld plotter for £60 to use the Nauticpath as a back up & on other boats.
 
Not sure if you were aware but the Navionics PC software is for viewing maps and planning routes only - there is no GPS function built in, so you cannot navigate using the software on a PC. - If you want to navigate using a PC and Navionics charts you need the Navionics Card Reader, and software designed for the purpose, such as Fugawi.

Regards

Brian.
 
I have been using PC Plotter for some years and I have just got the latest version with AIS and is great value for money considering that I have got the upgrade for AIS completely free! Its nice not to be be ripped off with upgrades.
Works with Navionics Gold and Platinum charts and comes with a card reader included in the price.
 
Anyone have problems installing PC Plotter with Windows XP Service Pack 3? I am having no end of problems with this. Anyone any ideas?
 
Hi.
I just got version 5 which is fantastic (now it is installed!) but the first one I got had problems because apparantly service pack 3 has disabled some things. I dont really understand but I contacted PC Plotter and they sent me one with a new install that apparantly even works on Windows 7.
Worked like a dream and the new user interface is a HUGE improvement on the version 4 I had.
 
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