Raytech Software Any Good ?

[Nick_Fairfax]

Has anyone out there got any experience of using Raytech software ? I have a Raymarine plotter using C-Map charts and I have been told that if I buy Raytech and an HSB2 interface I can share charts between the PC and my existing plotter. I like the idea of only having one set of charts but I am not that impressed with the Raytech demo and there appear to be other software packages (Maxsea and Winchart) that are better but do not allow c-map charts to be used on the plotter and PC at the same time. Should I put up with Raytech or accept that I cannot share charts between PC and plotter at the same time ?

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[Talbot]

If you already have a C-Map chip, you can buy a CD of the same area at a massive saving. Furthermore if you join Club C-Map it would be even cheaper.

Personnaly, I like the look of <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.chartwork.com/html/winchart_nexus.html>Winchart</A>

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[reeferjon]

Winchart's got some great features: the real-time 3D depth display is exceptionally cute! However it doesn't seem to have the depth of functionality of some other charting packages such as MaxSea or RayTech.
Winchart's chart-plotter style user interface seems to create mixed emotions; You either love it or hate it. It easy pretty easy to get to grips with... but can be quite irritating after a while. The tidal support's pretty good if you buy the additional Proudman data...

I get the impression that WinChart is more targetted at powerboats than sailing boats; it lacks support for GRIB weather information, as well as some racing features.. but certainly nothing you'd miss if you're motoring along with a few hundred horsepower throbbing away below decks.

However if you're sailing, you'd probably be more interested in software that supports import of weather information, and I know RayTech and MaxSea support this. Also, if you've got RayMarine instruments (I've got an ST80 setup on my yacht) you've really got little choice if you want to import and export routes and waypoints from your GPS..)

Incidentally, RayMarine's apparently releasing version 5 of RayTech over the next few months. I'm assured that if you purchase 4.1 now, you get a free upgrade when 5 is released. I've no idea what's new, though...

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