Bahamas Explorer Charts in BSB Format?

[captstu]

I don 't have an image file - I have hundreds of GEO files I paid for and the chart reader I use (Polar) won't read GEO format charts - only BSB.

What should I do to upgrade my current charts to BSB?

[idpnd]

There is a script for converting the "hundreds of small files" to a jpeg for conversion to BSB in the opencpn forums somewhere.. very complicated

[dacust]

I'm not aware of anything to convert the GEO files to BSB. At least not easily.

I don't know anything about the NOS/GEO formats, so I couldn't tell you how difficult it would be.

If I were you, I'd put a post in the Charts thread in the OpenCPN sub-forum and see what people in there say.

I imagine the GEO charts could be converted to .tif, but then you'd have to hand calibrate each one to generate the BSBs.

-dan

[cagney]

capstu

OpenCPN has no problems at all using ".geo" chart files as they are.



Thomas

[dacust]

Originally Posted by cagney

capstu

OpenCPN has no problems at all using ".geo" chart files as they are.

Attachment 25455

Thomas

Oh, cool. I had not known that. I think I have some geo files I downloaded from somewhere...

[osirissail]

NOS & GEO files are typically the Softchart Company format and are readable on most computer based navigation systems that accept raster nautical charts.

[cagney]

The Nos/geo format is very close to Bsb/kap, so close that bsb2tiff works on a geo file !!!
If OpenCPN had not supported the Nos/Geo out of the box, it would have bee a very easy thing to script a geo2kap conversion tool.
Regarding PolarNavy, why not ask "Brak" to include support for Nos/Geo charts in the future?

Thomas

[captstu]

Read the thread - still no idea where to legally purchase a BSB formatted raster charts set of the Bahamas with Explorer charts.

Went to the Explorer web site - they list only chips for a plotter. I have those - but my plotter is small for my eyes. I want BSB formatted Explorer charts for my laptop.

BSB Digital Explorer Exuma

/Stu

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by captstu

Read the thread - still no idea where to legally purchase a BSB formatted raster charts set of the Bahamas with Explorer charts.

Went to the Explorer web site - they list only chips for a plotter. I have those - but my plotter is small for my eyes. I want BSB formatted Explorer charts for my laptop.

BSB Digital Explorer Exuma

/Stu

The information I have is that Jeppesen now has exclusive rights to the electronic versions of the Explorer charts. They will sell you a copy that is compatible with a number of PC navigation software programs. I use Coastal Explorer which can read the Jeppesen format. Here is a link to the compatibility page, http://ww1.jeppesen.com/documents/ma...patibility.pdf. The PC software list is at the bottom so you'll have to scroll to it. It is my undertsanding that Jeppesen licenses to format to these software vendors. Since BSB is pretty much public and can be easily copied they don't seem to offer that format. The Explorer charts are listed under specialty data under the Marine tab on the Jeppesen home page.

[captstu]

Bill,

I take it from your post and the pointers that there is no way to use PolarNavy in the Bahamas - sort of makes it useless?

I have an older version of Cap'n that they want $550 to upgrade to Windows 7 - and I have a Standard Horizon chart plotter that wans $180 for a Bahamas chip - sort of drives me back to paper after 30 years of electronic charts.

One step backwards followed by two more steps backwards.

Thanks for the pointer. /Stu

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by captstu

Bill,

I take it from your post and the pointers that there is no way to use PolarNavy in the Bahamas - sort of makes it useless?

I have an older version of Cap'n that they want $550 to upgrade to Windows 7 - and I have a Standard Horizon chart plotter that wans $180 for a Bahamas chip - sort of drives me back to paper after 30 years of electronic charts.

One step backwards followed by two more steps backwards.

Thanks for the pointer. /Stu

I don't know much about PolarNavy so I can't speak to that. Jeppensen does not give away its charts. I bought the explorer chart c-map chip for my chart plotter for about $200. While it is helpful, they simply could not fit all the data in the paper charts on the chip. Therefor I also own a set of Explorer paper charts to the tune of $180. If I want the PC version I'll have to pay again. By the way you can buy a new copy of other navigation software packages for less than your upgrade cost.

[sinbad7]

A good alternative to CM93 is registering with GeoGarage for US $ 10.- per month giving access to free nautical charts in many countries including the Bahamas.

See the difference between CM93 and the GeoGarage version attached.

Tore

[unbusted67]

It doesn't look like the Jeppenson Explorer charts are compatible with Open CPN. Am I correct in this interpretation?

Sinabad can you speak to the accuracy and compatibility of the GeoGarage software with Open CPN?

[osirissail]

Wow, this is a very old thread subject going all the way back to 2004 and seems to get a new entry once a year or so. Is there anybody out there that is still - today - looking for raster e-charts of the Bahamas, Caribbean, etc.? Or is this just a perennial floating discussion?

I have a huge library of about 14,000 e-charts of basically the whole world which I won't mind getting rid of to somebody who can actually use them. They are in the ancient Maptech, BSB, Softchart (geo) and other formats that I have been able to access and use with my ancient "Cap'n vers. 6" navigation program running on a Win7 lapbook computer just fine.

As to accuracy of these type charts - don't bet your boat on it. Most of the data is from WWII surveys and some all the way back to Capt Cook's data. Updating is a non-starter as the areas cruisers go is of no-commercial interest to major navigation providers. However, the Earth really doesn't change all the much in 50 to 100 years so the topographical outlines and hydrographical data shown is useful when compared to "no-data." As always, the old Mk-1 eyeballs are the best navigation tool available to a cruiser and having a basic outline or idea of the layout of your target destination with these charts helps quite a bit.

[CGirvan]

Do you still have your library or have you got rid of it already. I would be interested as I'm in the process of organising the boat for an extended cruise and could possibly use some of the charts you have.
Thanks
Colin G