Chart Plotting software

**Vinster03XR** · 01-22-2007, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Stugy

It will display most NOAA charts, You can buy them from Maptech. They sell them by regions. I also have my laptop connected to my handheld GPS and it displays my exact location on the chart. Very handy when you need to know depths, also for navigating it will talk to your autopilot if you have one and you can plot a course, measure distances, and guide to your destination.

The only package that I found on their websire that had Canadian charts was CAPN which is now a discontinued product..

Vin

**109ha300** · 02-25-2007, 11:56 AM

MaxSea the best!

**tedswartz** · 02-26-2007, 07:52 PM

I use Garmin MapSource and nRoute software ($119 with charts on CD) on a laptop with a Garmin GPS18 ($87 on eBay) USB antenna. absolutely wonderful. routes, waypoints, the whole shebang.

Then, I got one of those Ramline touch screen units ($102 on eBay). what an easy way to go, touch input, no keyboard or mouse needed, hard mount, 12V operation with no power converter, power pak or inverter needed. full color display, daylight viewable, and plenty fast enuf even with its PIII processor to run GPS.

**Vega27** · 02-28-2007, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by Vinster03XR

That looks like great software, the the link they provide for free maps don't have lakes in Ontario Canada though

Vin

Transas Navigator is a good nav software with world charts. It has all the
bells and whistles in it, ie autopilot, AIS, Route, anchor, depth, safety range (watch circle), chart scale alarms, 3D seabed visualization, actual route memorization.

**Blaydeman** · 03-26-2007, 01:50 PM

We use Ecc-Globe on the boat i work on.
Electronic Charts Company, Inc. World Class Electronic Chart Navigation Systems

**Blaydeman** · 03-26-2007, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Vinster03XR

The only package that I found on their websire that had Canadian charts was CAPN which is now a discontinued product..

Vin

CAPN has been discontinued? heres a site its for sale on
The Capn

**krossell** · 03-26-2007, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Vinster03XR

I've checked that one out before... the best one for charting it SeaClear.. but you have to scan your charts then calibrate to use.... just too much room for error....

Vin

No you don't - you can download from Free Boating Charts save them in C:\Program Files\SeaClear\CHARTS,
then run MapCal II, go to Tools, Autoload list, Scan for new charts, and that's it. No calibration necessary.

I just downloaded Lake St. Clair yesterday, and it has the U.S. & Canadian sides, just like the chart book. I haven't used it on the boat yet, but in the car it tracked me down to the marina.

The only thing I don't like so far, is there's no way to get to the Zoom menu without right-clicking, which I can't do on my touchscreen. I may gut a mouse to get the scroll wheel and mount it next to the screen.

K

**Vinster03XR** · 03-27-2007, 10:08 PM

Thanks guys keep them commin.... Still haven't found what the father-in-law needs....

Vin

**Evergreen** · 03-30-2007, 12:18 PM

I just installed Coastal Explorer from Rose Point Navigation Systems. I am preparing for an extended cruise and have been looking for charts. Besides the US, I have not found anywhere that has free charts which has both ENC and Rastor charts available for download.

Coastal Explorer has a free trial download, it ties to both GPS and AIS. It accepts several different chart formats so the charts could be purchased and added to it.

**Striker37** · 10-20-2007, 12:10 PM

I use SeaClear for my chartplotter.you can now download all the charts from the NOAA website and they are compatable with SeaClear.no more scanning of charts,unless you want to.they have conversion software as well.

heres a link to get the seaclear chart plotting software.enjoy.

http://sping.com/seaclear/index.htm