Plotting software for a simpleton

[pcatterall]

Thanks for your attempts to discover my old software, met with failure I'm afraid. I guess that I will have to start again and need advice on a dead simple system.
My old way of doing things was as follows:-
Buy paper charts ( I still like to have them). Scan in the areas of interest and calibrate them.
Select and save a few waypoints ( off harbour entrances and at nominal change of course points) Plot off the maps (with the way points on) at A4 for easy use on board.
Download the way points to my Garmin 152. having the comfort of a wheelhouse the a4 plots are fine to work off and the garmin is all I need. I will add waypoints through the garmin such as anchorages etc.
This is all I need to do at this time though I may want add AIS, I guess that I could just use the NASA stand alone system and supply my position to that via the Garmin output.

So.... what simple software should I be looking at? I did look at Sea Clear but at first glance It did not seem user friendly, the manuall didn't seem to relate to what I could see when I entered the system.
Is my idea with the AIS sound.
Thanks in anticipation of your usual sound advice!!

 

[srevir]

Not sure I understand how software would help in this unless its to draw the tracks from the way-points you have entered.

Like you I hang onto paper even with two chart-plotters on board. If you have to draw the tracks onto the chart then there is, in my opinion a better chance that you will run your eye down the track and spot any hazards.

I used to design computers so dont really trust them !

But, then again, maybe I have mis-understood your use case

Look forward to reading other replies

Have fun

 

[pcatterall]

Just need a simple tool to hold and callibrate the scanned maps and transfer way points to and from the plotter.
And, as you say to make up routes. The original system did just that.
In another life I was a hydrographic surveyor but I still like to keep things simple!! Plus, with increasing years, I find keeping up with technology a bit of a pain.
Regards Peter.

 

[Tomkat17]

Get Maptech and install on old laptop. Handles AIS as well. Could not be simpler and cheap to use.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks Tomkat. Will I have to pay for maptech and would I need to buy their maps or is there a facillity to import my own scans from paper charts.
I downloaded there trial and in just 5 mins it did seem user friendly moving around the chart, creating way points routes etc.
Thanks Peter

 

[stevebirch2002]

If you want to use charts (paper) and still have a plotter then use A Yeoman Plotter

Good software is SeaPro and for £100 comes with all the charts of teh UK. Easy to use and well supported.

Cheers Steve B

 

[apollo]

Try this OziExplorer

 

[asteven221]

Seapro Lite - £100, all UK charts included. Works great. Easy to use. I would recommend it.