Which Navigation Program Do You Use?

[svcattales]

I'm using Capn Voyager with a new twist. Since I don't want the laptop in the cockpit where it could get wet, I'm using an LCD TV as an extra monitor. The TV is mounted on an arm that swings out into the companionway for charting and back into the salon for TV. To avoid running below to operate the Capn, I bought a remote control keyboard and mouse that operate on 2.4GHZ and have a range of 30' with no line-off-sight requirement. The mouse is called an "air mouse" which doesn't require a pad or any flat surface. I can move the cursor by moving my wrist. I've tested this at the dock and it works well, but haven't tried it under cruising conditions. Plan to take a shakedown cruise next week, so I should have a good idea whether this concept works.

[Pblais]

The swing arm is really nice. I use it for the radar display and the NMEA buss output for basic course, distance numbers as well as current speed an heading. The swing arm lets me position the display then close the overhead hatch and shade and protect the Furuno display. I would think it would be a great choice for a chart plotter LCD display too.

[Bill Balme]

Greg, (s/v Cat tales)

How did the remote LCD/keyboard/mouse work for you?

Bill

s/v Toodle-oo!

[ssullivan]

Well,

Based on this thread and the issues with paper charts becoming less and less available, I have moved to electronic charts.

Because I run OS X (on my mac), I am using MacENC, which reads all the NOAA charts, as well as the BSB/Maptech formats. I ordered a GPS for it, and will be using it as a chartplotter.

Only question is... is it worth it to have a waterproof/daylight display in the cockpit at $2000? Would be GREAT, but the expense... ouch!

[captjohn360]

does anyone use maxsea or have any experience with it?....jt

[windthief]

This is what I have set up for watching movies in the cockpit and for my nav program run off the laptop.

[ssullivan]

So Brad,

Is that LCD hooked in as a 2nd monitor to your laptop??

[CaptainK]

Nice interior Brad !!

That's great that you have the interior all nice and painted. Nice and new looking!!

[windthief]

Sorry about the delay in this thread. The LCD is a repeater basically for the laptop navigation program. It's mounted on a swing arm to view in the cockpit.

Thanks Kevin for the compliment. This winter is all about paint. Right now I have the coachroof stripped of gear(deck organizers and dash from under the hard dodger for deck and interior paint. What a crappy job. But it sure does make a 1970's boat look nice.

[BC Mike]

In NZ, the public broadcasting had 1ZB and 1YA am radio stations in Auckland, 2ZB and 2YA in Wellington, 3 in Dunedin and 4 in Christchurch. If the reception on our small transistor radio faded and we could not get any of the other stations, we knew we were getting further away from Auckland heading North or East, if we started picking up 2YA we knew we were getting closer to Wellington.
Warmer water and a change in colour was also North. Comming home we would aim for the Kiwi Bacon sign on the top of Ponsonby Hill. We would also use land maps and use the hill tops for reference. Pub lights are also good beacons.
Michael

[CaptainK]

Well Brad.

It sure sounds like you've had your work cut out for you.

But the reward. Like you said, makes that 1970's boat look more nicer!!

You have high praises here on my end. From your photos, you've done an outstanding job. In bringing you sailboat more up to specs?

[jimbim]

Some parts of the world, UK and Australia/NZ, the free SOBvMax is quite popular. I have been playing with it for a while, getting comfortable with it, and I think it may be the cat's meow. But I honestly don't know how it compares to the ones on your list. Other than freebies, have only played with Maxsea. Paper is still the first line of defence.

[svIntuition]

We're using GPSNavX on a Mac Powerbook with a 17" monitor on a swing arm in the companionway protected by lexan cockpit doors. Use MaxSea on a PC as a back-up. Just ordered an AIS receiver as a supplement to radar. Getting ready for a cruise to the Northeast.

Mark
s/v Intuition
Island Packet 35 Cutter

[jstevens]

I have ended up using a number of software products and map publishers. I didn't plan it that way it just happened.
My primary ECS is a Raymarine C120 plotter with Navionics charts. I use this system continuously while underway.
I also run a PC-based navigation system as backup and an alternative view to the Raymarine plotter. I started this PC sytem using Fugawi with NOAA ENC charts and raster charts from Maptech and SoftCharts. I liked to have the alternative view of the raster chart images to compare to the vector charts on the Raymarine plotter, especially when making a landfall or entering a harbor.
Since then I've added an AIS receiver to my electronics and have started using SOB software from DigiBOAT as I like it's robust AIS presentation. Unfortunately SOB only works with C-Map charts. So now I have another set of vector charts to purchase and maintain. I expect I will continue to use Fugawi and raster charts as my backup to the Raymarine and use SOB primarily when navigating busy commercial channels (like my recent transit of the straits of Gibraltar).
So I currenlty use three plotting packages (Raymarine, SOB, and Fugawi) and three chart formats (Navionics, C-Map, and BSB/Maptech/SoftCharts).
I also have the SeaClear II (freeware) and Offshore Navigator (free when I purchased several Maptech charts packages of the Med) programs installed, but do not use them actively for navigation.

John Stevenson

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by svIntuition

We're using GPSNavX on a Mac Powerbook with a 17" monitor on a swing arm in the companionway protected by lexan cockpit doors. Use MaxSea on a PC as a back-up. Just ordered an AIS receiver as a supplement to radar. Getting ready for a cruise to the Northeast.

Mark
s/v Intuition
Island Packet 35 Cutter

Excellent, Mark!

Drop me a PM if you are interested in meeting up when you come up East.

I'll likely be in the Newport area.