Somehow I thought it would be easy to find the GPS receiver and sofware for my new lap top so I could use it to chart a course this summer when I visit the North Channel (Lake Huron and Georgian Bay). However I cannot seem to find a receiver which simply describes itself as intended for a nautical application. Am I missing something here? Will any receiver work and all I need do is get the chart software to make my laptop a chart plotter and GPS all in one? Lastly, where do I look to find the software for the chart for the North channel. Is there a web-based site which lists the charts? Any help on this subject will be appreciated. As I said I thought this would be easy. It could be a case of TMI and I can't see the forest for the trees or I'm just looking in all the wrong places. Looking forward to the help. Mike
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Benn using this one for years.
Hi Mike, I have been using "Fugawi" with a laptop for years in the very same North Channel. It does everything the more expensive programs do except give you tides (not a problem in the North Channel). I have a copy of Nobeltec also but I find the Fugawi a little more stable on my laptop. They both work well with BSB charts and you can pick those up ar any marine store. Will this be your first visit there or have you been before?
Hi Mike, I have been using "Fugawi" with a laptop for years in the very same North Channel. It does everything the more expensive programs do except give you tides (not a problem in the North Channel). I have a copy of Nobeltec also but I find the Fugawi a little more stable on my laptop. They both work well with BSB charts and you can pick those up ar any marine store. Will this be your first visit there or have you been before?
Cash Money
I bought a GPS antenna online for about 80 bucks and I use Sea Clear II and free raster charts from NOAA. It works great and cost me the price of the antenna, everything else was free.
I bought a GPS antenna online for about 80 bucks and I use Sea Clear II and free raster charts from NOAA. It works great and cost me the price of the antenna, everything else was free.
Any GPS
I have two GPS's and both work well. One is an ancient Garmin and theo other is a generic I bought off E bay. The geneneric one works better as it brings in 12 sats and the Garmin only 8. Have a look at this link it is similar to the unit I use but there are a hundred of them out there, so just take your pick.
I have two GPS's and both work well. One is an ancient Garmin and theo other is a generic I bought off E bay. The geneneric one works better as it brings in 12 sats and the Garmin only 8. Have a look at this link it is similar to the unit I use but there are a hundred of them out there, so just take your pick.
One Option
To consider http://search.ebay.com/rikaline_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8 Email me for software gr8_2_av8 at hotmail.com
To consider http://search.ebay.com/rikaline_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8 Email me for software gr8_2_av8 at hotmail.com
Mike, You are basically correct, GPS
receivers for use with laptops only need a mapping software that works with a receiver and most do. Various manufacturers make USB or serial connected ant/receivers that cost around $100. Garmin makes the GPS 16 and GPS 17, one looks like a hocky puck the other a regular white GPS ant. These are generally called OEM/ Sensors. See link below: http://www.garmin.com/oem/ Free software and charts are available for download from Maptech: http://www.freeboatingcharts.com/ The free software does not allow for GPS tracking but most mapping programs will. I've even used microsoft Mappoint at sea to trial some sensors, looks like a roadmap but still read & displayed positions.
receivers for use with laptops only need a mapping software that works with a receiver and most do. Various manufacturers make USB or serial connected ant/receivers that cost around $100. Garmin makes the GPS 16 and GPS 17, one looks like a hocky puck the other a regular white GPS ant. These are generally called OEM/ Sensors. See link below: http://www.garmin.com/oem/ Free software and charts are available for download from Maptech: http://www.freeboatingcharts.com/ The free software does not allow for GPS tracking but most mapping programs will. I've even used microsoft Mappoint at sea to trial some sensors, looks like a roadmap but still read & displayed positions.
The Capn
Mike, I recently purchased software for my laptop called "The Capn", it seems very comprehensive and user friendly. The GPS you use is only for position information, the software does the rest. You can input that info to your laptop from virtually any GPS, though unless your laptop has a serial input you will probably need to get a USB adapter. I chose to use a Garmin Nautical GPS, just for redundancy in case my laptop fails. Hope this helps, Craig
Mike, I recently purchased software for my laptop called "The Capn", it seems very comprehensive and user friendly. The GPS you use is only for position information, the software does the rest. You can input that info to your laptop from virtually any GPS, though unless your laptop has a serial input you will probably need to get a USB adapter. I chose to use a Garmin Nautical GPS, just for redundancy in case my laptop fails. Hope this helps, Craig
Answer to your question.
Follow this link http://www.maptech.com/accessories/usbgps/index.cfm to MapTech accessories. They list a GPS that plugs into your PC to be used with their software. I think that is what you asked about.
Follow this link http://www.maptech.com/accessories/usbgps/index.cfm to MapTech accessories. They list a GPS that plugs into your PC to be used with their software. I think that is what you asked about.
Check out this software
I am in the middle of doing the same set up on my lap top, which does not have a serial port which my Garmin 72 needs. A USB adapter did not work even after I downloaded drivers for the adapter. Garmin told me that the adapters do not work about 20% of the time. They suggested I get pcmcia card w/serial port. I just ordered one today for $30 from Tigerdirect.com and hopefully it will work. The card is not easy to find. Program wise, I have been working with Sea Clear, which you can download legally for free. Do a search which should take you to the guys site. It works with NOAA charts that can be downloaded from their site for free. I am headeing to North C and G bay as well, but hav enot found good electronic charts yet. I may have to depend on paper up there.
I am in the middle of doing the same set up on my lap top, which does not have a serial port which my Garmin 72 needs. A USB adapter did not work even after I downloaded drivers for the adapter. Garmin told me that the adapters do not work about 20% of the time. They suggested I get pcmcia card w/serial port. I just ordered one today for $30 from Tigerdirect.com and hopefully it will work. The card is not easy to find. Program wise, I have been working with Sea Clear, which you can download legally for free. Do a search which should take you to the guys site. It works with NOAA charts that can be downloaded from their site for free. I am headeing to North C and G bay as well, but hav enot found good electronic charts yet. I may have to depend on paper up there.
Many thanks to all...
Colin, David, Calif.Ted et. al. the information you have all provided has me headed in the right direction. I am very grateful for all of the leads, suggestions, links and solid information each of you has replied with. This forum is the greatest! Colin: This will be my first visit to the NC. I am having a full enclosure, screens, windows, doder, bimini, fly, etc. so that the chilly nights and biting bugs will not be too much of problem. I'm looking forward to the trip as is my wife. Happy sails and trails to all. Thanks, Mike
Colin, David, Calif.Ted et. al. the information you have all provided has me headed in the right direction. I am very grateful for all of the leads, suggestions, links and solid information each of you has replied with. This forum is the greatest! Colin: This will be my first visit to the NC. I am having a full enclosure, screens, windows, doder, bimini, fly, etc. so that the chilly nights and biting bugs will not be too much of problem. I'm looking forward to the trip as is my wife. Happy sails and trails to all. Thanks, Mike
Offshore Lite via Maptech
is included in their Companion CD which comes free with their Map Chart kit. The software has an intuitive set up function which identifies most GPS units, etc. It permits display of the vessel's postion (from your GPS) and provides for route development and export / import from your lap top to/from your GPS. Very user friendly,a dn free on-line Help/support. Plus, it provides for access to Maptech's free downloadable charts for coverage almost everywhere.
is included in their Companion CD which comes free with their Map Chart kit. The software has an intuitive set up function which identifies most GPS units, etc. It permits display of the vessel's postion (from your GPS) and provides for route development and export / import from your lap top to/from your GPS. Very user friendly,a dn free on-line Help/support. Plus, it provides for access to Maptech's free downloadable charts for coverage almost everywhere.
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