PC chart questons.

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Ed Schenck

Over the years I have watched the PC charting software postings with interest. And recently I reread several of those posts in the archives. One of the newer items has to do with the "free" NOAA ENC charts from the web. Some questions: 1) are there stores where you can load the software and actually see it work with your GPS before you buy it? 2) is a software package worth twice as much if it can load and use the ENC charts? Fugawi, for example, jumps from $99. to $200. 3) paper charts are a given. But do any of you then rely on the PC and NOT have a chartplotter? As you can tell from the questions this is one sailor who cannot afford a Simrad system with the radar overlaying the charts on a 21" flat screen with a repeater in the cockpit. :)
 
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Gerry Cooper

PC v Chartplotter

Ed, I purchased a yacht that came with a Garmin gps, linked to my autopilot and without any chartplotting capability. After some soul searching I decided to purchase the PC based system together with a small handheld GPS (which I wanted as a back up any way). I now have a 15" screen notebook computer connected to an Etrex GPS in my nav station and the standard GPS for steering. I prepare all routes on the PC and then download onto the steering GPS. So to answer question 3, I do rely on the PC as I do not have a chartplotter. The only drawback so far is entering a small/shallow anchorage at night without previously entering the route into the steering GPS requires a partner down below in the nav station directing the steering (via small handheld radios). We recently returned from the Bahamas and used this method quite succesfully.
 
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Ed Schenck

Thanks Gerry, but. . . .

you did not mention the software that you are using. And did you just buy it untested, install it, and no problems? I have worked in the computer industry for forty years and have never gotten along with PCs. But it seems like you are doing what I would like to do. Did you "harden" the PC or keep it in a watertight location?
 
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Chuck

Am Interested Too

Ed, I would like to do the same thing as well but can you upload the current position from the ETREX to the laptop and have it displayed on the chart? What software did you settle on? I'm considering using Oziexplorer but then I'd need to determine the brand of Echart (or free from USCG site) Thanks, /Chuck S/V Windsongs H23
 
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Bryce Grefe

PC charts

I'm using Max Sea software on a Dell Inspiron PC. The PC is integrated with my autopilot and GPS. I have an older Garmin 230 chartplotter, but the price of the charts for the chartplotter is exorbinant compared to PC charts, so the chart plotter really just functions as a simple GPS. I like the ease of routing on the PC, far simpler than on the GPS. The MaxSea Software is a Cadillac compared to other I've used and I didn't buy the routing and performance options. I especially like the weather over lay features. My thoughts on the PC being "hardened" is that I can by two ro three Dells for the price of a signle marinized PC. I'm on my fourth season with the Dell and have had no problems to speak of. It's located at the Nav station so weather isn't a huge issue. We do coastal cruising in new England, and several of the harbors we frequent have the most up to date charts on the NOAA ENC format, which are slick. This is the third software program I've used and I purchased each one out of the box and it came up and ran. Biggest problem with all three was getting it to talk properly with the autopilot. MaxSea was the only one that interfaced flawlessly with the autopilot using they're recommended setup. Hope this helps Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
 
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Ed Fluss

hooking it all up

Hi all. I have all the pieces, Laptop Inspiron too, Maptech software and the freeware, Garmin GPSIII, ST4000 autopilot, ST40 instruments. Now how do I get them all to talk. I know there is a cable for the Garmin to the PC. but how then to get the PC to the Autopilot? Anyone do this hook up for all the pieces? Can you shed some light? Thanks, Ed
 
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Bill Bell

PC Charts, etc

I've been using the Cap'n with BBA/Maptech charts for about 5 years. I use a Toshiba laptop down below. I used this on the last boat a H37. I got a Garmin 162 with Blue Seas charts at the helm. That worked nicely, but still the PC drove the autopilot quite nicely. I traded boats to a H420 which already had a Raytheon chartplotter at the helm. I still use the pc down below. Either can drive the autopilot, but I still prefer to use the pc. I like the charts better. On hooking it all up. Connect the GPS to the pc receive and the pc transmit to the autopilot in. You might want to either add a switch or a dummy plug to connect the gps directly to the autopilot if you have the pc ashore or expect disaster. I always have paper charts onboard, but almost never get them out. We log about 1500 miles/year Florida and Bahamas. Bill Bell 'Bella'
 
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Kenneth Pfaff

I use a Dell Laptop, Garmin 45 GPS and Maptech

I keep the pc down in cabin on the chart table. The only problem I had was I stupidly open the port above the pc during a rain storm and the PC stoped working, at the worst time of course. The Laptop is from work, so when I got back to work I called our help desk and they fixed it, no questions ask as to what happened.
 
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Bryce Grefe

Hooking it up

Ed gave the right info on the hookup. I basically did the same, but used a NEMA mulitplexor to input the GPS and my Nav instruments into the PC. Both Cap'n and MaxSea will display any available nav instrument on the PC if its available. Not sure about Fugawi. The biggest PIA was running the cables to the various places. I also agree with the other posts about the charts on the PC being far superior to the chartplotters. One added comment about the ENC s-57 charts from NOAA. Because their vecotr charts, you have the ability to turn on and off various data on the charts. The first time I looked at the S57 charts there were no depth contours, until I figured out how to turn them on. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H 410
 
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John K Kudera

I use Garmin

I use the Bluechart CD, A Garmin 76S and a common Compaq laptop with the connection from GPS to Laptop that came with the Garmin. Works great.
 
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Ed Schenck

Thanks all.

Now to digest all of this. But no one mentioned going to a store and seeing this all work beforehand. Did you all just buy the pieces/parts and make it work on your own? What about warranties? Thanks again.
 
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Buck Harrison

Ed...

As to seeing the various sofware packages work, warrentees, etc... best suggestion would be to go to a boat show and spend the day going from one booth to the next to see whats what... I agree w/ Bryce and Bill... I have both "Nobeltec Visual Navigator" and "The Capt." running on a (cheap E-machine) desktop at the nav station on my 420. I have one (inexpensive 15") flat screen at the nav station and another that I can put up into the cockpit to see the chart display there. Actually I have 2 E-machine computers, so that if one fails I can simply swap it out with the second. All, at a cost much less than one marineized laptop. (Been running this setup for the past 2 1/2 years, with few problems). Nav. Station GPS delivers NMEA data to computer sofware. I don't interface with autopilot, because it would make me TOO complacent. I used to "poo-poo" computer nav. sofware.... ie... "real sailors don't need that stuff, bla., bla., ", but, after seeing it on friend's boats, and how wonderful it was, I saw it differently. Now, I wouldn't go out without it... you know EXACTLY where you are and where you are going. Real NOAA charts are displayed with your boat positioned and moving on the chart in its exact loaction. Routes, waypoints, ETAs, etc., etc. are all right there, instantly updating... You can go places, (through shallow areas, for example) with confidence, because you know exactly where you are. It's like steering your boat on a vidio game. I like "Vis. Navigator" better than "The Capt" because I like the presentation, etc., but that's just a personal preference. Anyway, good luck, and hope you find what you like.
 
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Ron

PC Chart Software

I've been researching the software too. Each has its pros/cons. I plan on using it with a laptop and GPS. Don't know if I'll hook it to the Autopilot yet. Some of the companies have demo programs that you can download. Maptech's is http://www.maptech.com/support/downloads/index.cfm. Capn's is http://www.thecapn.com/download.htm Nobeltec has a dealer locator page http://www.nobeltec.com/services/dealerlocater.asp. Maxsea at http://www.maxsea.com/us/index.html
 
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Dave J

How about inland Charts ?

Does anyone here know of electonic (PC capable) charts for the "Lake of the Woods" that ranges over one state (Minn. and two providences, Man. and Ont.) ? Sailing on this extremely beautiful lake requires one to know pretty much where they are at all times due to the number of granite reefs just waiting to catch your rudder.
 
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Tom

Garmin, PC and Pocket PC...

Hi Ed, Here is what I use: 1. Memory Map software to view charts, plan routes and waypoints and down/upload to Garmin GPS (including tracks). It works on both a PC and Pocket PC! For more info see: http://www.memory-map.com/ They have a free trial version you can try before you buy. 2. Laptop PC for home use (could bring it to the boat, but never have). 3. Pocket PC (HP Jornada). It runs a pocket PC version of memory map, which is included with the Navigator PC Software, all for $125. 4. Garmin Etrex handheld GPS, the marine version from West Marine (really cool, includes cities and nav aids data base for US). 5. Microsoft Streets (for land navigation). MM (Memory Map) makes full use of the Garmin upload/download functions, and has std NMEA to communicate with other GPS units. Charts, wayoints, routes, tracks can be shared between the PC and Pocket PC and both the PC and Pocket PC can upload and download to the GPS. If the GPS is attached through the serial connector, the PC and Pocket PC can show your present position on the chart and track your progress. The Pocket PC version doesn't have all the features of the PC version, but it is a very portable package and you can view charts, set routes, etc. very easily and uploade to the GPS. So far, I find it most convenient to set up my routes at home while planning a trip and upload them to the GPS, then take the GPS for navingtion. With Microsoft streets, you also get a Pocket PC version and can download maps. If the GPS is connected, to either the PC or Pocket PC, MS streets will show your present postion. Fianlly, MemMap allows some flexibility in your Chart sources. It can also use topigraphical maps. I use Marineplanner.com to purchase just the areas of interest using their ChartPacks. A $50 ten pack is more than sufficient for my sailing area around Boston Harbor and connecting waters. See http://marineplanner.com/ Although it is a little work, it is possible to scan in your own charts and calibrate them for accruate reference. You can also use free NOAA charts, but they are grainy, and you have to do your own calibration on them too. Fair winds... Tom
 
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Ed Schenck

Thanks again.

Returned from 3-day business trip to find even more good info. Thanks. I created a three page WORD document so I can do a leisurely study of all of your solutions. I'll have to go to Annapolis again, a great idea. :)
 
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