Best Navigation Software

Curmudgeon · 27-10-2008, 17:12

My apologies if this has been addressed elsehwere; if so, I can't find it.

What's the best navigation software for a Windows-based laptop? My criteria:

1. Under $500
2. Runs on Vista
3. User friendly
4. Accomodates a variety of chart formats
5. Not too buggy
6. Decent graphics
7. Works with a dedicated PC GPS attachment
8. Exchanges data with most popular chart plotters
9. Exchanges charts and data with other navigation software, preferably using open standards
10. From a stable company that will support the product

Does such a product exist?

Viking Sailor · 27-10-2008, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Does such a product exist?

No!!!

**Pblais** · 27-10-2008, 17:53

There are no open standards. A variety of chart formats are proprietary. User friendly depends on the user.

I've been happy with Fugawi. It's about $200 supports Maptech BSB, Navonics, and ENC formats. Works well and you can upload routes to NMEA and Garmin and a few other Chart plotters. There is a free demo install. They increased the price to include a the proprietary Navonics chip reader, so the extra price is perhaps worth it. They also support a Pocket PC and Palm export format that you can use to upload to a small handheld device and that works pretty well.

No software exchanges maps with chart plotters except the proprietary products like Garmin. Fugawi does export to Palm and Pocket PC but nothing else.

As far as being stable there is NO ONE that can be considered stable, but there are a few that have been around. Being stable would be considered a bad thing since Raymarine would likely try to buy them out and bury the product. On the higher end Nobletec is a good one but a bit on the expensive side.

**David M** · 27-10-2008, 17:57

I use Nobeltec and really like it. Its owned by Jeppesen. If your a pilot you know who they are. Nobeltec has been very stable and reliable in my 10 years plus using it.

scotte · 27-10-2008, 20:29

Many of the available programs have trial or planning versions that you can use with some limits for free - this makes it nice to give them a test whirl and see which one you like the best. Download both vector and raster charts (if available) for some area you are familiar with for testing.

SelkirkWind · 27-10-2008, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

My apologies if this has been addressed elsehwere; if so, I can't find it.

What's the best navigation software for a Windows-based laptop? My criteria:

1. Under $500
2. Runs on Vista
3. User friendly
4. Accomodates a variety of chart formats
5. Not too buggy
6. Decent graphics
7. Works with a dedicated PC GPS attachment
8. Exchanges data with most popular chart plotters
9. Exchanges charts and data with other navigation software, preferably using open standards
10. From a stable company that will support the product

Does such a product exist?

Rosepoint has the only one that runs on VISTA that I have seen (and used!).

Rose Point Navigation Systems

Talbot · 28-10-2008, 00:23

A vote for Maxsea.

Daddy's Dream · 28-10-2008, 01:14

I've been toying around with TIKI Navigator and of course the good ole Seaclear. There are a lot of demo programs out there one can try. I've played around with most of them over the last 3 years and so far my favorite one is TIKI Navigator.

TIKI Navigator - Marine navigation and GPS tracking on Maptech digital charts

They also have a demo program.

infonote · 28-10-2008, 03:41

A search on SourceForge, Open-Source Software gives the following results.

SourceForge.net: Software Search

Unfortunately I do not have time to check them all. If you find some that are interesting please reply with suggestions.

Alan N Crichton · 28-10-2008, 05:55

Any views on Sail Cruiser - a Navsim product which claims to be the only one that calculates each tack - distance and time using the wind , current inputs ? Cost CAD $399

speciald@ocens. · 28-10-2008, 07:00

Depends what you plan to do with it. Maxsea and Raytech are routing programs that use Gribs and polarsto give you longdistance routing. I've used both but like Maxsea more. For shorter triping, The Captain is a good choice. This program contains tide charts, maintenance schedules, etc.

SelkirkWind · 28-10-2008, 07:38

What a mess! Trying them one by one seems the only way. Each of them has at least one positive feature.

Regretfully, only a few of these products are supported in VISTA. Maxsea, for example says it will run on a "VISTA capable" machine but does not claim Vista compatibility that I can find on the site. Has anyone used it on VISTA?

Nobeltec is cool, but $1200 less a $100 competitor upgrade.

The current version of Coastal Explorer (Rosepoint) does not support GRIB (promised in 2.0 next month).

All of these packages are superior to Raytech RNS that meets almost none of the criteria (although a new version has been promised since February).

We should develop some criteria and have an owner of each package evaluate their software's strengths and weaknesses to the criteria. That way we could build a review of each package and get a better general idea as a function of price point. Anyone interested?

speciald@ocens. · 28-10-2008, 08:13

Maxsea came out with an upgrade (I think v.12.x) that was written specifically for Vista. I'm running XP pro so I cannot tell you if works or not.

Caribsailors · 28-10-2008, 11:02

I have been using Rose Point Coastal Explorer for the past 2 years. I had used Nobeltec for 5 years previous.

A working version can be downloaded free from their website Rose Point Navigation Systems

I am a beta tester on their next version and I like what I see.

Cheers

Curmudgeon · 28-10-2008, 11:12

I can usually get any decently coded Windows program to run on Vista. Vista is just XP with more eye candy, although you can go down to defeat if an older program doesn't support the newer graphics functions.

I'm surprised that Practical Sailor or a similar publication has not done a comparative review of navigation software, particularly since there seems to be little consensus as to what the best products are.

27-10-2008, 17:12	#1
Curmudgeon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Boat: Sam Devlin Custom 28.5 Posts: 624	Best Navigation Software My apologies if this has been addressed elsehwere; if so, I can't find it. What's the best navigation software for a Windows-based laptop? My criteria: 1. Under $500 2. Runs on Vista 3. User friendly 4. Accomodates a variety of chart formats 5. Not too buggy 6. Decent graphics 7. Works with a dedicated PC GPS attachment 8. Exchanges data with most popular chart plotters 9. Exchanges charts and data with other navigation software, preferably using open standards 10. From a stable company that will support the product Does such a product exist?

27-10-2008, 17:53	#3
Pblais Moderator Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hayes, VA Boat: Gozzard 36 - Bright Eyes Posts: 6,916 Images: 12	There are no open standards. A variety of chart formats are proprietary. User friendly depends on the user. I've been happy with Fugawi. It's about $200 supports Maptech BSB, Navonics, and ENC formats. Works well and you can upload routes to NMEA and Garmin and a few other Chart plotters. There is a free demo install. They increased the price to include a the proprietary Navonics chip reader, so the extra price is perhaps worth it. They also support a Pocket PC and Palm export format that you can use to upload to a small handheld device and that works pretty well. No software exchanges maps with chart plotters except the proprietary products like Garmin. Fugawi does export to Palm and Pocket PC but nothing else. As far as being stable there is NO ONE that can be considered stable, but there are a few that have been around. Being stable would be considered a bad thing since Raymarine would likely try to buy them out and bury the product. On the higher end Nobletec is a good one but a bit on the expensive side. __________________ Paul Blais s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36 37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W

27-10-2008, 17:57	#4
David M Moderator Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Boat: research vessel Posts: 5,181	I use Nobeltec and really like it. Its owned by Jeppesen. If your a pilot you know who they are. Nobeltec has been very stable and reliable in my 10 years plus using it. __________________ David Life begins where land ends.

28-10-2008, 00:23	#7
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,985 Images: 23	A vote for Maxsea. __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss." Robert A Heinlein

28-10-2008, 01:14	#8
Daddy's Dream Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 173	I've been toying around with TIKI Navigator and of course the good ole Seaclear. There are a lot of demo programs out there one can try. I've played around with most of them over the last 3 years and so far my favorite one is TIKI Navigator. TIKI Navigator - Marine navigation and GPS tracking on Maptech digital charts They also have a demo program. Last edited by Daddy's Dream; 28-10-2008 at 01:29. Reason: Edited for spelling.

27-10-2008, 20:29	#5
scotte Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, CA, USA Boat: Privilege 39 Posts: 579	Many of the available programs have trial or planning versions that you can use with some limits for free - this makes it nice to give them a test whirl and see which one you like the best. Download both vector and raster charts (if available) for some area you are familiar with for testing.

28-10-2008, 03:41	#9
infonote Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 13	A search on SourceForge, Open-Source Software gives the following results. SourceForge.net: Software Search Unfortunately I do not have time to check them all. If you find some that are interesting please reply with suggestions.

28-10-2008, 05:55	#10
Alan N Crichton Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Richards Bay South Africa Boat: Lavranos Crossbow 40ft Sirocco Posts: 17	Any views on Sail Cruiser - a Navsim product which claims to be the only one that calculates each tack - distance and time using the wind , current inputs ? Cost CAD $399

28-10-2008, 07:00	#11
speciald@ocens. Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: On the boat - Carib, Chesapeake Boat: 58 Taswell AS Posts: 497	Depends what you plan to do with it. Maxsea and Raytech are routing programs that use Gribs and polarsto give you longdistance routing. I've used both but like Maxsea more. For shorter triping, The Captain is a good choice. This program contains tide charts, maintenance schedules, etc.

28-10-2008, 07:38	#12
SelkirkWind Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sandpoint, ID, USA Boat: Leopard 46, The Selkirk Grace Posts: 66	Best Options? What a mess! Trying them one by one seems the only way. Each of them has at least one positive feature. Regretfully, only a few of these products are supported in VISTA. Maxsea, for example says it will run on a "VISTA capable" machine but does not claim Vista compatibility that I can find on the site. Has anyone used it on VISTA? Nobeltec is cool, but $1200 less a $100 competitor upgrade. The current version of Coastal Explorer (Rosepoint) does not support GRIB (promised in 2.0 next month). All of these packages are superior to Raytech RNS that meets almost none of the criteria (although a new version has been promised since February). We should develop some criteria and have an owner of each package evaluate their software's strengths and weaknesses to the criteria. That way we could build a review of each package and get a better general idea as a function of price point. Anyone interested?

28-10-2008, 08:13	#13
speciald@ocens. Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: On the boat - Carib, Chesapeake Boat: 58 Taswell AS Posts: 497	Maxsea came out with an upgrade (I think v.12.x) that was written specifically for Vista. I'm running XP pro so I cannot tell you if works or not.

28-10-2008, 11:02	#14
Caribsailors Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere in the Caribbean Boat: Beneteau First 38 Posts: 87	I Vote Rose Point! I have been using Rose Point Coastal Explorer for the past 2 years. I had used Nobeltec for 5 years previous. A working version can be downloaded free from their website Rose Point Navigation Systems I am a beta tester on their next version and I like what I see. Cheers __________________ As I sit, a swirling sea of passion gives it's poems in waves underneath me. The whispers of the sun in my eyes, a silence within. Rhythm of the surf, drums of the sea. Thoughts tumble and toss about the deep blue abyss inside me, where the love of you dwells. I'm fighting currents to get back to you, listening to the flow of your liquid language as you beckon me, "Come Play" Mariners Cove, CI. Anonymous.

28-10-2008, 11:12	#15
Curmudgeon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Boat: Sam Devlin Custom 28.5 Posts: 624	I can usually get any decently coded Windows program to run on Vista. Vista is just XP with more eye candy, although you can go down to defeat if an older program doesn't support the newer graphics functions. I'm surprised that Practical Sailor or a similar publication has not done a comparative review of navigation software, particularly since there seems to be little consensus as to what the best products are.

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