Raster Charts

[demonboy]

Someone has just suggested Seaclear as a laptop-based chart plotting software app. I'm keen to get hold of some raster charts to have a play around with (I'm based in Turkey).

Anyone know where I can get hold of these cheap /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif?

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
Someone has just suggested Seaclear as a laptop-based chart plotting software app. I'm keen to get hold of some raster charts to have a play around with (I'm based in Turkey).

Seaclear will take in BSB / KAP charts .... but NOT BSB / CAP - which is the later BSB format by Maptech.
You can scan or use various formats as shown on www.sping.com - the seaclear home site.
Trouble is I think you are on limited connection as basically liveaboard ? Otherwise you could download via P2P etc. BSB charts ... maybe old - but provide basic charting ..


Anyone know where I can get hold of these cheap /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif?

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[demonboy]

Yeah, what I was hoping to do was stock up on some charts before we lose our connection as we go off sailing for the summer.

I've just read about the difference between KAP-CAP. What's the advantage of the later version? Is there a better free PC chart plotter on the market I should consider playing with?

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah, what I was hoping to do was stock up on some charts before we lose our connection as we go off sailing for the summer.

I've just read about the difference between KAP-CAP. What's the advantage of the later version? Is there a better free PC chart plotter on the market I should consider playing with?

[/ QUOTE ]

Seaclear author was granted BSB licencing under the old BSB system ... and then Maptech insisted that they were sole owner of BSB ... They then developed what is loosely termed BSB ver 4 ... which is BSB - CAP.

Now to roughly explain. BSB is the common term given to these raster scan charts ... but the actual chart is in the KAP or later CAP file. The BSB accompanying file is a reference data file used by some programs. It is unnecessary in many 3rd party programs such as Seaclear.
As far as I know BSB - KAP format is nop longer available from Maptech but their charting program will still use them if available.
CAP format charts are encrypted and need an unlock key. KAP file do not - they are read as is.

So be careful that you don't buy / acquire BSB -CAP charts ... they are useless to you. BUT you could buy Maptech Chart folio to cover where you want and Maptech Lite comes with it often free of charge ... it's a reasonable program as well ...

 

[demonboy]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I'll look into this.