Advice on Laptop Nav Systems - Australia

[fwalschots]

Hey guys.

Wanting advice on what is available and recommended Software including maps for us on a Laptop.. what is required.. type of GPS etc...

cheers

Frans

[LakeSuperior]

We used Fugawi for a two year trip through Europe and the Caribbean. The main reason for selecting this software was the modest cost and the ability to use Navionics maps. We realized a large cost savings with the maps.

We interfaced the Fugawi to our AIS and a GPS. Can also overlay GRIBs.

[captain58sailin]

I like Nobeltec, They have a gps receiver that you can plug into a USB port. You can also wire in an interface with a on board gps as well.

[atoll]

i use cm93,2gig ram puter,and vnus rgm-3600 gps mouse ext magnetic mount works great and has most of the charts for the world.
with jvcomm32 and small ssb reciever i get weather as well

[fwalschots]

hey guys.. thanks for the great replies... exactly what I need to know to do some more research.

At least with this system I can then double check with a handheld GPS and paper charts...

cheers

Frans

[Factor]

I use GPS NAVX with a Global Sat BU-353 (SiRF III) GPS "puck" type. On a mac. I find it very good. Of course there is also open CPN.

[IslandHopper]

I use http://www.transasnavigator.com/ (PRO) with a number of GPS devices (dependant on where i am) including the Global Sat BU-353 that Factor mentions, when on my own boat i plug in to the Furuno GP-37 (DGPS/WAAS) and Furuno FA-150 AIS....

I got my software through http://www.navdynamic.com.au/products_navigator.html and also get my corrections/upgrades from them to....

I've used this system for years (both work and play) and can highly recommend it........

[fwalschots]

Hey guys..

Thanx for the wealth of info.

For starters I have downloaded OpenCPN... will try that for starters and use it as a learning tool...

Now to find some aussie charts..

cheers

Frans

[A_Life_To_Live]

Amongst others I use an iPad and iSailor. It is interesting in that it actually loads the charts so continues to work even outside of Next G range (I also have Navionics but it needs an active Next G connection). Note that you need the WWAN iPad if you are out of Next G range as these have a GPS.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by A_Life_To_Live

Amongst others I use an iPad and iSailor. It is interesting in that it actually loads the charts so continues to work even outside of Next G range (I also have Navionics but it needs an active Next G connection). Note that you need the WWAN iPad if you are out of Next G range as these have a GPS.

Welcome aboard ALTL. You took awhile to post after joining , must be operating on TI time . How much Next G coverage are you currently getting around the Torres Straits. I used to live there but that was well before mobile phone systems!

Please excuse the thread drift fwalschots; back on topic again .

[A_Life_To_Live]

Lol .. Yep operating on TI time Next G is patchy as you get further out towards the PNG border. Boigu and Mabuiag, have no service and Warraber is marginal. Between islands is pretty bad too. I spend a bit of time in choppers with my job and coverage up higher is pretty good on the iPad. For a lot of our waters the charts date way back so Google Earth really is a bonus!
When are you going to visit again .. Nice run from Perth

[barnakiel]

You can use a GPS puck that plugs into the USB of your laptop. Or else you can plug your existing GPS unit (via a special cable) into your laptop.

I like the second solution as it lets you send waypoints from your PC nav software to the GPS unit.

If you do not have/want a standalone GPS, the USB puck way is the way to go. (There are also Bluetooth pucks but not all laptops have Bluetooth).

Re. nav software - have a look at some and pick the one you like best. OpenCPN is one free option, well worth a close look.

Cheers,
b.

[openplains]

Just wondering how this project is going as I am also working through the same thing,. but also looking at getting a waterproof tablet pc to use rather than a laptop.

I have a 10yr old son with ADHD and a 4 yr old daughter who loves fishing and going out on the boat, and a 7 yr old daughter with a brain abnormality so there is just no budget for this. so far the boat has cost me around $2200 to get going on the water. so I havent done too bad to date..

Just want a good chartplotter - got caught in Fog at hastings on Queens Birthday lucky my brother was also out in his boat.. but a number of times we almost run aground in the low tide near the sand bar getting back to the boat ramp..

so need to do something.

thanks.

[BlueSun]

Not a fully-fledged chart plotter but the Navionics app on Android (and iPad, Im pretty sure) cant be beat for value for money at $40-odd (used to be only $15!). Fantastic secondary tool for quick and easy route planning.