tips needed for tsunamis 99

[john m]

i have just bought cd and gps mousethe total price was 40 pounds.
the setup was easy does anyone have any tips to simplify its use also has anyone invented some kind of stand /protection fot laptop under spray hood i would like to see pics thanks in advance

 

[Relax]

From what I've seen, heard and read the best advice would seem to be to go and buy SeaPro /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jerryat]

Not in my experience. I have the same set up as Scrim and, whilst we have never used it in anger yet, it works seamlessly aboard. I'm old-fashioned enough to use paper charts, sailplans etc, so have only played with T99 on the boat.

However, just for fun, I've tried it in the car and it's spot on for accuracy. Don't understand your comment therefore I'm afraid.

With regard to laptop securing, on our long trips and Transats we use the laptop for downloading wefaxs and RTTY. On our Fulmar, with it's excellent chart table, we use that non-slip fabric stuff you can buy at any boat show - at huge cost! However, even in pretty rolly and lumpy weather, the laptop's never moved a fraction.

Whether this 'system' will work under a sprayhood Scrim, you'll have to try and see.

 

[Relax]

Comment was just relating to the user freindliness of the programs.

I have never used Tsunamis but do have SeaPro. From what others have said Tsunamis seems to be very difficult to get to grips with - perhaps your experience is different ??

SeaPro is relatively easy to use on a superficial level but does have a huge number of bells and whistles if you choose to go look for them - personally I usually apply SWMBO to this job and stand by with a paper chart in a map case and the hand bearing compass - luddite moi /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Piddy]

I have used Tsunamis (both 99 and the later NaviGator) for a number of years and have no problems with it. I don't find it difficult to use but long use may have coloured my judgement.

Every trip I make is recorded as a track (as, according to Mrs Piddy, I'm a bit of a geek that way) whether across the Channel or across the Solent.

It has been completely reliable, has never crashed and lives on a mature Dell laptop as it doesn't need much processing power.

I use it sometimes to control the autopilot if I want to stay on a specific route (or when I'm playing) or most commonly as a "that's where I am" device.

Mine stays down below out of the rain and weather simply held with a piece of string around the hinge section, although it doesn't seem to move much anyway.

I do keep paper charts ready and still record position etc. every hour on voyages just in case but over the last 12 years I have used it, I've only used the chartsm for ports where the electronic charts are limited (such as Dielette).

I use it for our Solent based races by creating a route and selecting course up - that way anyone can tell me whether I'm to the left or right of the red line - very useful when going across the tide.

My only tip is to use it as much as possible and teach other regular crew how to use it so it's not just your toy.

Cheers

 

[timentide]

I've used T99 for last 6 years and over 17000 miles. It is easy to use once you get used to it. Something most systems share. I Have tried other systems and all were difficult until used frequently. Always go back to the trusty T99 though. So my advice would be to stick with it and you will soon be proficient

 

[ccscott49]

Will seapro use the T99 charts? I also have the same system, but do find it a wee bit diifficult to use, however I may learn how to use it eventually!

 

[jhughes]

I agree with most of the other replies, I have used T99 for about a year and am really pleased with it as a cheap solution.
On the point of mounting the laptop, Andrew Knights excellent Blog shows how he has fitted a laptop holder that swings out from the companion way to become visible from the cockpit.
Click here and scroll halfway down.

Andrew is a member on here and his blog is an interesting read.
Blog index.

 

[Searush]

I like the quick zoom capability - just use the '-' key to zoom out and '+' key (requires 'shift' too) to zoom in. This means I can switch between overall passage view & detail coast hopping very quickly. It also runs well on my old T22 Thinkpad with a Plll processor and only 128M RAM - a machine that uses much less power than my much newer Tecra.

I leave mine on the saloon table (my nav sation anyway) with a 99p anti-slip mat from Poundstretcher. Didn't even move when we broached in the Tripods overfalls last year. The other advantage of using an old machine is that it will be cheap enough to replace if I do drop it or it does get really wet.