Lets Talk Electronic Charts

[damianham]

Originally Posted by Vlad70

Hi!

unfortunately - this is most often asked, but still not correct question

best for what?
- use as primary nav?
- use as backup nav?
- use just for planning WP and find Marinas information
- do You need integration between PC and android?
- cheapest?
- witch charts are using before? Navionics, C-Map, Garmin or just paper
- and many other

Regards, Vladimir

Thanks Vladimir sorry for my poorly worded question...... I will try again

If I was going to go for (multiple - 2xPC, 2xTablet, 1 smartphone, 1 handheld GPS) electronic nav system only and I am a PC and Android afficionado and I would like to integrate the PCs at least with the onboard instruments and auto pilot, which system(s) would offer sufficient chart coverage and level of detail to be considered a safe option for planning cruising without paper charts, particularly in Asia and South Pacific ?

Many thanks in advance and sorry if it is still a poor question

regards
damian

[Vlad70]

Originally Posted by damianham

Thanks Vladimir sorry for my poorly worded question...... I will try again

If I was going to go for (multiple - 2xPC, 2xTablet, 1 smartphone, 1 handheld GPS) electronic nav system only and I am a PC and Android afficionado and I would like to integrate the PCs at least with the onboard instruments and auto pilot, which system(s) would offer sufficient chart coverage and level of detail to be considered a safe option for planning cruising without paper charts, particularly in Asia and South Pacific ?

Many thanks in advance and sorry if it is still a poor question

regards
damian

Hi Damian,

my personal choice - MacEnc + iNavx , but this is not in Yours list

For PC I could recommend FugawiENC Fugawi Marine ENC GPS Navigation Software
Fugawi Marine 5 - Home

It's cover all Your request.

why?
- full coverage
- many chart sources - downloaded and on cards, including free
- integration with AIS and Instruments, Autopilot
- Weather (using GRIB files)
- Alarms
- support many WP exchange formats


You can download 10-day trial for test (4.5 version)

unfortunately I don't know software similar iNavx for Android (but I not look), of course Navionics mobile and Plan2Nav also not bad

Regards, Vlad

[Boracay]

I'm looking at charts for Northern Australia at the moment and going on one rumour and one anecdotal report the Navionics charts (iPad and Android) are the bees knees for that area.

[Vlad70]

Originally Posted by Boracay

I'm looking at charts for Northern Australia at the moment and going on one rumour and one anecdotal report the Navionics charts (iPad and Android) are the bees knees for that area.

I sure - Just sailors from this area could explain how charts accurate?!

for me it's also important - I plan sail next year in this region, now I decide - install both charts for this region:
- iNavx
- Garmin BlueChart Moblie
- of course paper charts

Also I have BSB published by NZ - it's cover interesting for me region

I'm request on MacENC support forum any sailors from NZ or Oceania - but nobody answer, may be no users of MacENC in this region

If You have any information - will be happy read it

Regards, Vlad

[mrlee]

Hi y'all. At the risk of sounding stupid...I need some easy help with this stuff. I am a little too old to understand all the jargon about all the electronics stuff. I want to learn how to use the modern stuff, but I just don't get it...ipAd, ipOd, android(isn't that something from the Hobbit?)...its all confusing. Can anyone please just tell me what I need to get to use a laptop for navigating? I am on a budget too which I am sure doesn't help any!
Thanks for all...I have been reading and learning a lot from you guys. May the Lord bless us all with WIND!!

[Matt Johnson]

I had a Pantech Element tablet with C-map's plan2nav and navionics apps on it, but it dropped and cracked on our crossing to Jamaica. At the same time, my laptop stopped working and I needed to replace both. I purchased a Dell Latitude Windows 8 pro tablet and now want to get some navigation software running on it. I may trying running an Android emulator and see how that works out, but really I really hope Navionics or C-map comes out with a windows app (I'm sure this wont happen).

[Jammer Six]

I updated my charts for iNavX, and saw the new bouys in Anacortes Marina two weeks ago, which were my litmus tests. They were in LNM 19/13.

The Navionics charts don't show them, yet.

The Maptech charts still show a lighthouse that was removed in 2009 or so, but they don't show the symbol. There's the line of text, but the symbol is gone. I don't know what to make of that. I guess it's a half-assed correction.

[Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by mrlee

...I need some easy help with this stuff. ..... all the jargon ......

iPad and Android are two competing technologies that provide similar functions ... a flat screen you hold in the hand, and use your fingers on the screen rather than a keyboard and mouse. They function just like a PC, but usually run more basic applications. Most mobile phones now are just smaller versions of these tablets.

Android is an operating system (think Windows), and many manufacturers produce tablets for this platform. iPad is Apple only and it has its own operating system.

Charting software
You can buy a tablet and then buy charting software with charts. Navionics Mobile is popular software and gets my recommendation due to low price and easy to use. The total cost of tablet and charting would be from around $250 - still quite a cheap solution. Check that the tablet model has GPS inbuilt ... most do. An exception is Apple which is dearer anyway, and does not have GPS unless you buy one that takes a SIM card.

But your post suggests you may already have a laptop. If so, this is a cheaper and better option. My recommendation for the software would be OpenCPN which is free .... see the dedicated forum on this site.

For charts, it depends what part of the world you want. Many countries including US provide free chart downloads. If your country does not have free charts, the next best would be CM93 charts. There are a few threads about CM93 and where to download them on this forum. As far as I know, the latest version of CM93 charts that OpenCPN will read is 2010.

To see where you are on the chart you will need to buy a GPS to connect to the laptop. If you already have a handheld GPS you may need a Serial to USB connverter. The OpenCPN site and Help provides more information about options here.

Without a GPS, you could still download OpenCPN and charts and start experimenting and looking.

[mrlee]

Wow, and in terms an old dog can understand...Thank you very much...I will be on this within the week...
To ALL of you, keep up the great chat...every little bit helps us not-so-hip people in many ways...THANX

[mrlee]

UH OH! Do I want the Beta?? AAHHH!!! Just when you think it'll get easier..

[nohal]

mrlee...
No, you probably want the stable version, which is on top of the download page.

Pavel