Which Navigation Program Do You Use?

[Shark]

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]

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

[Gerald Simons]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Paul

[Ray Durkee]

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

[Pblais]

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]

i use digiboat with c-map nt