Which navigation program do you use?

Shark · 20-03-2003, 02:19

I'm ready to make the poll now. If I've missed out a program it can be added later - please tell me.

Note that you can choose more than one program if that's relevant.

Post a reply if you have any comments on your program or the setup.

Captain Nemo · 20-03-2003, 02:38

I don't have a computer onboard, so I rely on paper charts and GPS (two actually).

Gerald Simons · 20-03-2003, 15:35

Demo of NavPak the one I use is located www.globenav.com

This will save the forum from reading another boring post as I've done enough damage today on the Maintenance & Boat Building BB!

(closest smilie found to someone yawning)

ASA · 29-04-2003, 21:37

Been working with Raymarine's software for some time, and have worked with most of the others in the poll. I find that the raytech is more adjustable to users once you have the basics down, and allows for major upgrades when needed.

leehaefele · 14-06-2003, 10:49

I use Garmin 182C with charts from Garmin Blue ChartCD. I was afraid of reliability of laptop computer, but I see that boats are trading chart CDs as they pass which does help keep the cost down. The Garmin works well, but has small screen size. This forces you to keep paper charts on the right page, not a bad idea. Also the depth detail is not as good as paper charts.

Setia · 21-11-2003, 20:13

After months of trying I finally succeeded in getting Cmap to interface with my GPS (Garmin 128). Biggest problem being that Cmap does not like Windows XP, main problem is getting XP to recognise the comm port. Best operating system appears to be Windows '98. Finally overcame the problem by using another programme, Capt. Voyager, to configure the comm port. Anyone else had similar problems?
Regards, Glen

Talbot · 22-01-2005, 08:27

Had no problem with my version of c-map and a USB/GPS/Mouse. The mouse had its own programme which enabled me to find out which port was being used, I then merely re-configured the C-Map software (see manual) for the correct port - and there it was. However if another programme has captured the GPS, it will not allow the chart programme to use it at the same time - so I had to switch of the mouse programme before C-Map would see it. This works on all my machines with ME, XP Home and XP Pro. XP is better cause it has the mode to allow it to automatically adjust display to the correct one for the programme, whereas with ME you have to change display first or it has a small temper tantrum.

Alan Wheeler · 23-01-2005, 01:01

And it's for reasons like that, that I have been hesitant at going to a software system. I can't make my mind up as whether to go to a GPS/Plotter or software. I like the enormuose amount of info you get with software, but l also like the idea of having the reliability of a dedicated GPS/Plotter, plug it in and away you go system.

sv_makai · 23-01-2005, 04:54

Makai has PC nav software, a Lowrance GPS/Plotter, and a raymarine SL72C Plus Radar/Plotter.

The PC is our primary nav system and is linked to the GPS. The Lowrance has the world map and we just upload our routes to and shut the PC off until we are near our destination. It works great.

We got the Radar/plotter primarily for the radar. Since I did not want to spend the big bucks for the latest and greatest radar we looked for models just being discontinued and found the SL72C plus Radar Chart plotter on sale at Defender for $100 more than without (and saved $1-2K over the latest version). For very few dollars we have added redundency. The chips can be found by trading or used for very cheap.

I believe that it is better use of the money to buy at the best price that fits your needs than buy because it is the latest technology. Most of the current products are evolutions not revolutions of devices. For the extra money it is not worth the buttons that will not be used.

geoffgroves · 09-05-2005, 01:12

I use SOB (Software on Board) by Digiboat www.digiboat.com.au.

It's currently FREE for up to 5 of your computers and uses C-Map charts. I've used "The Captain" and "CmapECS" and SOB is a much better software.

Geoff

Vasco · 17-06-2005, 01:50

Using Raymarine C series which takes Navionics chips rather than the older Raymarines that used C-Map chips. Fairly easy to use. The Navionics chip which covers the Bahamas is a lot better than the C-Map chip but is still out a bit once you get down to the middle of the Exumas. The good thing is that one chip covers from north of Charleston to the Turks and Caicos.

boredinthecity · 30-07-2005, 20:16

Digiboat,
http://www.digiboat.com.au/

Paul

Ray Durkee · 12-09-2005, 04:56

What about Coastal Explorer? Seems to be a very competent and aggressively priced navigation software package.[IMG]http://[/IMG]

**Pblais** · 12-09-2005, 15:24

Fugawi Marine is 2/3's the price and a better product than Coastal Explorer. It includes more features as well support for ENC charts and more chart types plus a free set of steet maps that overlay on any other chart you have.

windthief · 04-10-2005, 22:56

i use digiboat with c-map nt

View Poll Results: Which digital navigation package do you use?
MaxSea	31	11.23%
Map Tech	29	10.51%
Captn. Jack	1	0.36%
Chersoft	0	0%
The Capn	30	10.87%
NaviGator	3	1.09%
Nobeltec	31	11.23%
EasyNav	0	0%
Visual Nav	2	0.72%
Chart View	3	1.09%
Offshore Navigator	16	5.80%
Visual Mariner	1	0.36%
RayTech	11	3.99%
Oziexplorer	6	2.17%
SevenC's	1	0.36%
NavPak Pro	6	2.17%
Raymarine	26	9.42%
SeaPro	3	1.09%
Waterworld	0	0%
I don't use any digital package, just paper charts and sextant or GPS	55	19.93%
C-map	52	18.84%
Fugawi Marine	23	8.33%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 276. You may not vote on this poll

20-03-2003, 02:19	#1
Shark Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5	Which navigation program do you use? I'm ready to make the poll now. If I've missed out a program it can be added later - please tell me. Note that you can choose more than one program if that's relevant. Post a reply if you have any comments on your program or the setup. __________________ Shark ...

20-03-2003, 02:38	#2
Captain Nemo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2	No computer I don't have a computer onboard, so I rely on paper charts and GPS (two actually). __________________ Captain Nemo Still cruising the Nautilus ...

20-03-2003, 15:35	#3
Gerald Simons Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 14	Can see on demo Demo of NavPak the one I use is located www.globenav.com This will save the forum from reading another boring post as I've done enough damage today on the Maintenance & Boat Building BB! (closest smilie found to someone yawning)

23-01-2005, 01:01	#8
Alan Wheeler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marlborough Sounds. New Zealand Boat: Hartley Tahitian 45ft. Leisure Lady Posts: 8,047 Images: 102	And it's for reasons like that, that I have been hesitant at going to a software system. I can't make my mind up as whether to go to a GPS/Plotter or software. I like the enormuose amount of info you get with software, but l also like the idea of having the reliability of a dedicated GPS/Plotter, plug it in and away you go system. __________________ Wheels For God so loved the world..........He didn't send a committee.

29-04-2003, 21:37	#4
ASA Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New England Posts: 6	Been working with Raymarine's software for some time, and have worked with most of the others in the poll. I find that the raytech is more adjustable to users once you have the basics down, and allows for major upgrades when needed.

14-06-2003, 10:49	#5
leehaefele Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ithaca, NY Boat: Leopard 38 Cat "Alesto 2" Posts: 16	I use Garmin 182C with charts from Garmin Blue ChartCD. I was afraid of reliability of laptop computer, but I see that boats are trading chart CDs as they pass which does help keep the cost down. The Garmin works well, but has small screen size. This forces you to keep paper charts on the right page, not a bad idea. Also the depth detail is not as good as paper charts.

21-11-2003, 20:13	#6
Setia Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Gladstone Posts: 25	After months of trying I finally succeeded in getting Cmap to interface with my GPS (Garmin 128). Biggest problem being that Cmap does not like Windows XP, main problem is getting XP to recognise the comm port. Best operating system appears to be Windows '98. Finally overcame the problem by using another programme, Capt. Voyager, to configure the comm port. Anyone else had similar problems? Regards, Glen

22-01-2005, 08:27	#7
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,083 Images: 23	Had no problem with my version of c-map and a USB/GPS/Mouse. The mouse had its own programme which enabled me to find out which port was being used, I then merely re-configured the C-Map software (see manual) for the correct port - and there it was. However if another programme has captured the GPS, it will not allow the chart programme to use it at the same time - so I had to switch of the mouse programme before C-Map would see it. This works on all my machines with ME, XP Home and XP Pro. XP is better cause it has the mode to allow it to automatically adjust display to the correct one for the programme, whereas with ME you have to change display first or it has a small temper tantrum.

23-01-2005, 04:54	#9
sv_makai Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Currently, cruise is over and back in Solomons MD, USA Boat: Voyage/Maxim 380 - Makai Posts: 472 Images: 10	Plotter and software Makai has PC nav software, a Lowrance GPS/Plotter, and a raymarine SL72C Plus Radar/Plotter. The PC is our primary nav system and is linked to the GPS. The Lowrance has the world map and we just upload our routes to and shut the PC off until we are near our destination. It works great. We got the Radar/plotter primarily for the radar. Since I did not want to spend the big bucks for the latest and greatest radar we looked for models just being discontinued and found the SL72C plus Radar Chart plotter on sale at Defender for $100 more than without (and saved $1-2K over the latest version). For very few dollars we have added redundency. The chips can be found by trading or used for very cheap. I believe that it is better use of the money to buy at the best price that fits your needs than buy because it is the latest technology. Most of the current products are evolutions not revolutions of devices. For the extra money it is not worth the buttons that will not be used. __________________ Captain Bil sv Makai KI4TMM Currently: Caribe cruise is over, Solomon's MD, USA http://www.sv-makai.com Last edited by sv_makai; 23-01-2005 at 04:59..

09-05-2005, 01:12	#10
geoffgroves Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 11	I use SOB (Software on Board) by Digiboat www.digiboat.com.au. It's currently FREE for up to 5 of your computers and uses C-Map charts. I've used "The Captain" and "CmapECS" and SOB is a much better software. Geoff

17-06-2005, 01:50	#11
Vasco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto in summer, further south in winter. Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore" Ben393 "Breathless" Posts: 1,891 Images: 34	Raymarine C Series Using Raymarine C series which takes Navionics chips rather than the older Raymarines that used C-Map chips. Fairly easy to use. The Navionics chip which covers the Bahamas is a lot better than the C-Map chip but is still out a bit once you get down to the middle of the Exumas. The good thing is that one chip covers from north of Charleston to the Turks and Caicos. __________________ Rick I Toronto

30-07-2005, 20:16	#12
boredinthecity Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Not at home- gone cruising Posts: 79 Images: 2	Digiboat, http://www.digiboat.com.au/ Paul

12-09-2005, 04:56	#13
Ray Durkee Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Francisco and Maine Boat: Tartan 37 "Velera" Posts: 14	What About Coastal Explorer What about Coastal Explorer? Seems to be a very competent and aggressively priced navigation software package.[IMG]http://[/IMG] __________________ Ray Durkee S/V Velera Tartan 37

12-09-2005, 15:24	#14
Pblais Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hayes, VA Boat: Gozzard 36 - Bright Eyes Posts: 4,770 Images: 7	Fugawi Marine is 2/3's the price and a better product than Coastal Explorer. It includes more features as well support for ENC charts and more chart types plus a free set of steet maps that overlay on any other chart you have. __________________ Paul Blais s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36 37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W

04-10-2005, 22:56	#15
windthief Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shelter Island Marina Boat: Cal, 2-30, 35ft - Windthief Posts: 113 Images: 91	pc i use digiboat with c-map nt __________________ Brad D. S.V. WINDTHIEF WWW.WINDTHIEF.COM

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