PC Plotter Software

[Matthewb]

Has anyone used the latest version of "PC Plotter" software on a laptop? I downloaded several other demos over the weekend (SeaPro, Sea Track etc) and then found PC Plotter which seems to be the clearest and easiest to use and is based on Navionics Gold charts. Defining routes and waypoints is a dream, so much easier than on a fixed chart plotter (and you can do it in the week while you are planning your weekend away).

But looking at the website support pages, FAQs etc, it doesn't seem to have been updated for over a year so I am wondering if the developers have given up. In which case it may not be a very sound investment.

I like the idea of using a PC rather than a dedicated plotter because it is more versatile and much more powerful. But what about a waterproof screen? I looked at the Raymarine screen but it is crazy money.

Any experience anyone?

Thanks,
Matt

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[Renegade_Master]

Have a look a Transas Navigator or Navigator Pro also.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[Matthewb]

Thanks - Am downloading demos now of both Navigator and Tsunamis 99.

Have you used this software before?

Matt

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[Renegade_Master]

Many Many times I think its brilliant digitalized RA charts zoom in no loss of quality, just link it up to handheld, gives eta xte ttg to waypoints, many many things.
Used it for two years round south & east coast of uk then in the med where I am now based.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[Talbot]

My personal favourite is the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.chartwork.com/html/winchart_nexus.html>Winchart Nexus</A> This uses C-Map (which are more readily available around the world than the navionics.

Personnally I prefer to have a plotter for everyday use (waterproof, sited at the helm, and using minimal power), and it is the passage planning that needs to be done on a larger screen.

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[oldgit]

Have been using Transas.Has proved excellent for my minor local expeditions on east coast.Have used cheap second hand basic laptop to run software has proved up to the job,if it gives up the ghost just throw it away and buy another circa a couple of hundred quid(or less) will get you a decent P2 with all bits.
Big advantage is cost of charts,if you only need one chart no problem.20 pounds per chart and every chart you will ever need is on that disc that comes with the software,just pick up the mobile phone give em your credit card no and the chart is on your lappy within moments.No annoying visits chandlery which happens to support your machines unique plug in thingy,and having to buy a load of bundled charts of little use to you.While at boat show was given lastest CD with updates without asking.
Only other comment is that a smaller screen ie 12" is better for putting on dash etc.


<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.

 

[plombier]

This link may help:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.marinecomputing.com/products/nav/plotters/>http://www.marinecomputing.com/products/nav/plotters/</A>

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[Matthewb]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Especially SunCoast and Fred for pointing towards Navigator. In the end I tried about 5 different solutions over the weekend.
Transas Navigator does look really good - I'll be playing with that one a bit more.
Annoyingly it actually knackered my installation of MS Office 2003 (Excel went completely crazy) so I'll reinstall it on another laptop and have another go.

Now all I need is a cheap solution to make it waterproof.

Matt


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[[2068]]

Personal opinion: hard drives in laptops (even ruggedised ones) and motor boats on the move are not a happy combination. My choice would be either the Garmin GPSMAP 3006 or 3010, or maybe the new Raymarine C-Series. Totally solid state, vibration proof, wifeproof, waterproof...

dv.

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[Matthewb]

Point taken - but I ran my laptop last season without any problem (tidal prediction software etc).

I do like the new Raymarine stuff and if money was no object then I'd buy the new C80. But I'm feeling a bit light in the wallet department at the moment.....

I will give the existing kit a go but it's a Raytheon plotter connected to the (old)radar screen and in the brief test I did on the sea trial it was very basic, seemed hard to use and is probably v out of date.

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[oldgit]

Horses for courses.

Think that the type of boat that laptop is used on prob has some bearing as to its probable longevity.On my boat,rather heavy and bit slow,nothing is going to happen aboard any worse than being thrown into back of car.Is always kept indoors so to speak and me not being very adventurous and brave my first action is to cut run at first sign of light breeze etc.
However laptop is mebbe not best used on small crash bash pocket rocket with brave pilot at helm.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.