PC Plotting software

[sgreenway]

Hi there all.
I am looking for a fairly simple (low cost if not free) PC plotting software.
It is really to help quickly decide passage planing and what is feasible before committing to chartwork to sort out waypoints and tides etc.
So any suitable suggestions would be gratefully received.
Steve

 

[alan]

SOB from www.digiboat.com.au/ can be downloaded and updated from the net; licence comes for up to 5 PCs IIRC.
Costs about $20 IIRC.

Fully functional software package; easy to use. Needs a GPS input and C-map chart/chart reader.

Alan.

 

[sarabande]

http://www.memory-map.co.uk/

can be used with land and marine datasets.

 

[wooslehunter]

If you don't mind scanning & stitching charts to get yourself going, then Seaclear is quite useful & free. It will also take GPS & AIS inputs through NMEA.

 

[Blue5]

Fugawi is another free one

 

[Refueler]

Free :

WinGPS
Seaclear
Ozi-Explorer

Shareware :

WinGPS
OziExplorer

Commercial :

Fugawi - any free versions are pirate
CM93
Maptech
Seapro
Maxsea
SOB
etc.

For ease of use - Seaclear beats most as it was designed by Olle (yachtsman) for own use ... but it cannot take latest BSB vers 4 charts .... but accepts all vers BSB / Maptech Charts before that ... plus of course scanned.

You can PM me if you want assistance ...

 

[Blue5]

[ QUOTE ]
Fugawi is another free one


[/ QUOTE ]

engage brain before typing, I actually meant Ozi-explorer, Fugawi is not a free progamme

 

[Heckler]

Nige
Ive got some maptech charts, which are difficult to put on a new pooter cause they say they are now obsolete and dont support them anymore, question, can sea clear read the encrypted maps?
Stu

 

[Refueler]

Seaclear reads BSB / KAP charts but not later BSB4 format which is BSB / CAP. The BSB file is not needed and only the KAP files need to be copied to directory of choice.

If it's Maptech Chartkit - then most cannot be read by Seaclear - in fact many cannot read them except Maxsea / Maptech Pro etc. The other niggle with Chartkit - is you have to be extremely careful not to combine 2 sets into one directory as the chartcat and index is then destroyed. Each kit must be in own directory with own chartcat / index.


Of course nothing gets read by Seaclear unless you run it's utility mapcal2 to install the chart links.