GPS

[oceansail0]

I have an h31 (1984). I do not need a gps tracker normally. I will be taking a few week long trips this year and would like to have the security of a gps tracker onboard. I have a laptop now and use the Streets and Trip GPS set up for long car trips. Is there a program that is similar to run from my laptop? Would a handheld be of better use as it can be at the helm with me.What do you have and how do you like it?

 

[Seattle Scott]

Here is what I use

with my hockey puck GSP plugged into the USB port of the lap top. Seems to get signals all the time from down in the cabin. Use to run the lap top thru a small inverter pluged into the cigarette light outlet at the nav station, then some one suggested buying a $40 variable transformer from radio shack, plug the transformer into the lighter socket and dial the transformer to the correct DC volts for the lap top ( perhaps 18 volts) and plug the transformer into the lap top, avoids the brick in the PC power chord and avoids going from DC to AC and back to DC.

 

[seadaddler]

Real Time Navigation $19.95

On the capjack Web site look at US Boating Charts on DVD.Real time navigation with lap top and gps puckcheck it out.

 

[Seattle Scott]

So whats the difference

Here is Seadadler's $20 system link and my $400 system link is in my previsou post, both from Captn Jack. What gives?

 

[Dan]

A free, full-feature laptop chartplotting system

Here's a very inexpensive solution:1. since you have the Streets and Trips gps, you can use that. (for others who don't have one, you can buy a usb gps (navroute, pharos -- here's one site, there are others: http://store.luluusa.com/gpsforlaptops.html))2. download SeaClear II for free. It's pretty good navigation software that uses the gps and NOAA charts (http://www.sping.com/seaclear/)3. download NOAA charts of your sailing area for free (http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/Index.htm)4. connect your serial port (if you have one -- RS232) to your autopilot (if you have one -- NMEA 0183)With already owning the laptop gps module, you'll have a full feature, color charplotter/navigation system for free.