Chartplotter programs for Laptop

[Royal Flush]

I'm searching for and reviewing a best value Chartplotter software package that can read the Free coastguard scanned maps. I plan to hook up a simple GPS to it mainly for reference.

I'd like to spend at little as possible, less than $200.00. What's out there?

-M

 

[Bad Obsession]

I know that you can go onto NOAA and get free Raster Charts for your laptop. Not sure if you can get free E-Charts for it though.

 

[kloudie1]

SeaClear is a useful software program that can talk to the GPS (the USB Hocky puck type, $35) and read the raster charts .. It AND the charts are free! Can't get better value than that !!!

 

[Bob S]

I know that Raymarine has a free planner that reads the raster charts. Not sure if you can attach the GPS, at least I haven't tried.

 

[hutch5151]

If you purchase one of the MapTech chart books, you get a CD with MapTech Lite included in the cost. It's basic but does the job and opens the free Raster Charts and newer e-charts. You can also purchase the hockey puck GPS receiver for under $50.00 and get a CD with the raster charts from E-bay for under $30.00

 

[Stu Jackson]

There was a long discussion about this recently

Try this for starters: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=106834

Then click on Roger's name on one of his posts and look up recent posts, page 2 and page 3 and maybe further of his list of contributions for more discussions about GPS and laptops.

I suggest this way because I just did a few searches on Map Tech Lite with all sortsa different combinations of spaces and no spaces between them and didn't get the hits on what I know was discussed, and at some great and valuable length.

Try this one, too: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=106460&referrerid=74093

 

[JustDucky]

The Map Tech chartbooks I have came with Offshore Navigator Lite.

 

[RichH]

For macintosh: http://www.gpsnavx.com/ see ----> MacENC
Download for $149.00

MacENC can use either the S57 vector format charts or the old scanned BBS charts. When integrated with a GPS (via old fashioned serial port) will give real time positioning and tracks.
Can also be integrated to AIS receivers, which can overlay that data onto the charting
Ditto with GRIB for weather forecasting.

In case you dont have the NOAA download sites:
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/index.htm for RASTER CHARTS
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/index.htm .. for VECTOR / ENC / S57 charts

 

[sandpiper10471]

I highly recommend Fugawi. Easy to use and economical when compared to the other laptop software available. Can hook to a gps and will read scanned charts etc. Should do everything you want and then some.

 

[Joe]

that raises another question....

I highly recommend Fugawi. Easy to use and economical when compared to the other laptop software available. Can hook to a gps and will read scanned charts etc. Should do everything you want and then some.

Haven't heard from them for quite a while... where the Fugawi now?

 

[paulj]

Royal Flush
May want to try this one.........

http://www.rosepointnav.com/CoastalExplorer/Trial/default.htm


paulj :troll:

 

[higgs]

Free Chart Plotting

Provided you have a Windows lap top.

Software is basic, but works very well: http://www.sping.com/seaclear/
Raster Charts from NOAA are free and work with SeaClear: http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download_agreement.htm

All you need to do is find a GPS hockey puck receiver compatible with USB. I would try Tiger.com, but they are not hard to find and they are cheap. These units have no screens or any fancy stuff. They just tie into the satellites and spit out lat/lon into your computer, which is all SeaClear needs.

 

[Royal Flush]

Thank you....I'll try out a few of the suggested softwares and report back. I have been using the rose point package but was taken back by the $350 plus cost of the package. I just wanted some of the lighter information.