RYA Chart-plotter

[rhinorhino]

I have been playing with the RYA's training version of the Chart-plotter.

While over-all I think it is excellent, it seems to me that the RYA may have got several things wrong.

In particular the fact that for (self-evident) business reasons they only use raster charts and the lack of any proper tidal element seem to me to be significant weaknesses in the program.

As it stands the program will not produce a CTS (unless you enter the tidal streams by hand and even then it will be inaccurate). Yet the ability to produce a tidal CTS seems to be the second most basic function (after showing position) of a plotter.

The way future position is displayed also seems to be unnessecarily modelled on the way it is done on paper.

What do others think?

 

[Birdseye]

I agree with you. The plotter was intended as a cheap and cheerful approach, and very much a joint venture with the UKHO. The latter dont like vector (have you seen their effort at vector on the students plotter?), and have commercial axes to grind selling tidal data seperately. So the functionality is limited.

Having said that, the graphics are beautifully clear. And you need something to occupy your time on those long passages, which is why I never bother to take chart plotters with me. Navigating is more fun that helming, surely?

 

[jonjo]

Re: Not in France

I dismissed it after hearing that the licensing model prevented the RYA from covering the French coast.

 

[npf1]

Re: Not in France

take a look at Seapro lite - about £100 including charts

 

[Oldhand]

"they only use raster charts"

What's wrong with that? I have just wasted my money on a C-Map NT+ superwide on CD and its rubbish compared with the raster Maptech and Mapmedia charts I have used up 'till now on MaxSea.

My conclusion is such vector charts are only suitable for small screen dedicated plotters and due to lack of important data, are the reason why it is always recommended to have paper charts as well. For instance, try to find a drying height for the entrance of Perros Guirec on C-Map, in order to calculate at what time there will be enough water to enter. There is no data and both Mapmedia & Maptech charts can provide it.

 

[spv737]

Just purchased the Liverpool area chart and well dissapointed as the low scale map of the Mersey does'nt even reach the pier head!! So to use it further up river (like to the marina) you only have the option of a larger scale map with no depth details etc on it, so its dig out the paper chart. Come on RYA, 0/10 must try harder!!

 

[paulskent]

Andl also the licence expires in December every year. So you have to buy it once a year.

And you have to have the CD in the drive whilst you are running it. This means that you can't use any small form factor laptops for the job.

PK.

 

[dedwards]

Re: Not in France

Can Seapro Lite be used without the CD in the drive?

I have a small form factor laptop and would love to be able to use it to navigate.

 

[Guest]

Cut an iso image of the CD

With a standard Cd recroder - you make an ISO image file of the disc. Then you copy the iso image file across to any computer you wish to use it on - then mount a virtual image drive. Load the iso file and you have it ..... voila !!

And it runs near instantaneous - as it is now a fast hard drive file and not needing to spin up from the disc.

OK ? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif


But at the end of the day - is it worth it ?? AS it appears to be the dogs breath compared to much better non-date expiry other software ..... such as Maptech Lite - with tides, SEapro Lite - with a very large folio, Seaclear - free, etc. etc.

Sorry UKHO / RYA - better luck next time.

 

[Birdseye]

Re: Cut an iso image of the CD

[ QUOTE ]
With a standard Cd recroder - you make an ISO image file of the disc. Then you copy the iso image file across to any computer you wish to use it on - then mount a virtual image drive. Load the iso file and you have it ..... voila !!

And it runs near instantaneous - as it is now a fast hard drive file and not needing to spin up from the disc.

OK ? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif


But at the end of the day - is it worth it ?? AS it appears to be the dogs breath compared to much better non-date expiry other software ..... such as Maptech Lite - with tides, SEapro Lite - with a very large folio, Seaclear - free, etc. etc.

Sorry UKHO / RYA - better luck next time.



[/ QUOTE ]

Nigel Am interested in your comments. Can you expand a bit? Like how do you make an ISO image file? And how do you mount a virtual image drive?