seaclear+maptech

[amrad]

i am using this combination.
2 questions:
1.
does any1 has en experiance with maptech-offshore and is it better than seaclear.
2.
during navigation i found myself 6 miles on land (according to the software) while i was entring a marina near ischia.
any 1 knows y???
amos


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[Anthony]

I am presuming the software is fed by a handheld or mounted instrument GPS? If so what position did that give, and where was that when plotted on a paper chart? Could be anythiing from GPS error thru to datum config mismatch, but checking the GPS will at least help narrow it down.

<hr width=100% size=1>The difference between men and boys, is just the price of their toys...

 

[Talbot]

Either incorrect datum set up on GPS, or chart synchronisation error within the mapping system.

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[Capt_Marlinspike]

I use Maptech and have not had any problems. Mine is linked to a Garmin 128 and always gives spot on positions. It sounds like a datum issue to me so check the chart and the Garmin for set up.

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[Guest]

Seaclear is Freeware and has a limited spread of facilitys .... but in comparison with many free / shareware / commercial products is better and less complicated to use.

Maptech is commercial and I consider expensive for its spread. They also try to tie you down to restrictive licence practices that have been literally outlawed in EU land. It is also limited on chart types it uses.

As to position error - that is most likely down to Datum error on either chart system or GPS or both.

If you have Maptech BSB / Kap files loaded into Seaclear - I can tell you that I used to have error on certain charts as the KAP chart file was in error ..... NOT seaclear.

BTW - the BSB file is not necessary for many packages as the actual chart is contained in the KAP file. Maptech have now issued their charts with CAP file instead of KAP - as they couldn't break various software authors use of the BSB / KAP format which they claim outright copyright to ..... an issue that in some eyes is unresolved and in dispute.......... it is claimed by many that BSB / Kap format was not the property of Maptech ...... ?? I sure dunno !

Anyway - I am a great fan of Seaclear and recc'd it for sraight forward GPS matters and also autopilot control.

My GPS Nav Group has both Maptech and Seaclear staff as members and you can fire ?'s at em ....... ( we have many others as well ..... Raymarine, Seanav, Cpa'n Voyager etc etc)

So conclusion ..... Maptech is better if you only want Maptech formats but more bells and whistles ....... Seaclear is better if you want a simpler system - still capable of pretty sophisticated duties and also able to use scans, BSB / KAP files etc. PLUS its free ......
Seaclear interacts with Waypoint / Route text managers such as G7toWin etc.......

u takes yer choice and pays yer money so to speak ...... or in my case with Seaclear - I don't !!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/