A while back I posted an article on SeaClear II, chartplotting software available from the web free. This software uses raster charts. Considering its cost (free) the software leaves much to be desired in terms of user options and friendliness. The new NOAA ENC charts offer significant features over conventional charts. Details such as navigation aids can be omitted or included to aid in highly magnified viewing. Most authorities on electronic navigation cite this chart technology as the de-facto future. SeaClear II does not read these charts. My research has revealed Fugawi Marine ENC software to be one of the more popular ENC chartplotting apps available. Compared to other charting applications, the price is competitive. Unlike raster charts, the ENCs are free. Looking for Fugawi Marine ENC experience to guide a chart plotter upgrade decision. If there are competitive recommendations, I'm open to suggestions.
- Status
Fugawi
Oops shouldn't been a response not a new one.. I've had the Fugawi software for a number of years and recently upgraded to the the ENC version. The ENC charts are quite impressive, you can set depth limits that will show on the chart where you shouldn't go. Also the Fugawi supports PDAs such as Palm and HP so you can download maps to your PDA to use in emergency if the PC packs up or just to have something more convenient to look at if you don't want the PC in the cockpit. Unfortunately not all the maps are converted to the ENC format but its increasing gradually. Too bad the Canadian government won't convert their charts to ENC and quit giving DO a monopoly.
Oops shouldn't been a response not a new one.. I've had the Fugawi software for a number of years and recently upgraded to the the ENC version. The ENC charts are quite impressive, you can set depth limits that will show on the chart where you shouldn't go. Also the Fugawi supports PDAs such as Palm and HP so you can download maps to your PDA to use in emergency if the PC packs up or just to have something more convenient to look at if you don't want the PC in the cockpit. Unfortunately not all the maps are converted to the ENC format but its increasing gradually. Too bad the Canadian government won't convert their charts to ENC and quit giving DO a monopoly.
Take a look at SeeMyDEnc
SevenCs has a great ENC chart viewer it is called SeeMyDEnc. It does all you want to do and more. It is a freeware demo that can be downloaded at sevencs.com - see the link. This is a very full chart viewer that has many features. On the Sevencs site go to products then to download free applications.
SevenCs has a great ENC chart viewer it is called SeeMyDEnc. It does all you want to do and more. It is a freeware demo that can be downloaded at sevencs.com - see the link. This is a very full chart viewer that has many features. On the Sevencs site go to products then to download free applications.
What is the ENC #
Rob, if you zoom in you may get more detail. Also play with the display, and depth options to get the level of detail you like. If you give me the number of the chart I will take a look. The charts around Tampa Bay do not cover as much as I like. but the detail is fairly good.
Rob, if you zoom in you may get more detail. Also play with the display, and depth options to get the level of detail you like. If you give me the number of the chart I will take a look. The charts around Tampa Bay do not cover as much as I like. but the detail is fairly good.
chart # US5MS11M (11372), US2GC08M (11006 )
There is little detail on these maps I can find, except on the larger, Key West to the Mississippi River, when you get aprox 50 mi from shore. I turned on all the display options, zoomed and played with the depth options.
There is little detail on these maps I can find, except on the larger, Key West to the Mississippi River, when you get aprox 50 mi from shore. I turned on all the display options, zoomed and played with the depth options.
ENC detail is there, please look
Hi Rob, sorry to have taken this long. I downloaded the zip file from NOAA. It is 1.3 meg and contains a lot of detail. After unziping the files, SeeMyDEnc works by importing the file US5MS11M.000. This is the second option in the file tab. If you add a lot of display options and zoom in you will see the detail. The attached image is unclear only because I used a jpeg to get the image to the size allowed on this site. The original is very clear and usable. Please try again, I believe you will like the results. I see NOAA has added a lot of charts since I last looked I am going to download more charts from my area, good luck with your efforts.
Hi Rob, sorry to have taken this long. I downloaded the zip file from NOAA. It is 1.3 meg and contains a lot of detail. After unziping the files, SeeMyDEnc works by importing the file US5MS11M.000. This is the second option in the file tab. If you add a lot of display options and zoom in you will see the detail. The attached image is unclear only because I used a jpeg to get the image to the size allowed on this site. The original is very clear and usable. Please try again, I believe you will like the results. I see NOAA has added a lot of charts since I last looked I am going to download more charts from my area, good luck with your efforts.
- Status