Navionics, iSailor, OpenCPN and What else?

[Herreshoff]

What other mobile plotter software are people using besides Navionics, iSailor and OpenCPN?

[IslandHopper]

I have PLAN2NAV as well as iSailor and iNavX (Navionics) but am not a fan at all, others seem to like it though, don't have/use OpenCPN......

PLAN2NAV

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by Herreshoff

What other mobile plotter software are people using besides Navionics, iSailor and OpenCPN?

We use SEAiq to complement everything else. [Navionics and SEAiq on tablets; Navionics and C-Map on B&G Zeus2 MFDs; OpenCPN on laptop.]

Why? [in order of importance to us]

• SEAiq supports just about any chart format [free and paid]
• Presents both raster and vector charts [we usually display raster to complement the vector charts on the MFDs]
• Interfaces with all of our NMEA data [over WiFi]
• Has great AIS interface
• Integrates with AyeTides [and can use other tide/current info...]
• Includes Active Captain data [for now...]
• Consistent, ongoing innovation and improvements by the developer [years...]
• etc.

For the above reasons, the SEAiq mobile app is currently the #1 self-contained [i.e, built-in GPS] candidate to take over nav functions if our MFDs become inoperative underway. [Open CPN as well, but not as mobile on a laptop- and dependent upon external GPS source- vs. tablets for us.]

In case this is useful.

Cheers! Bill

[Capt.Don]

Also vote for SEAiq. I used SEAiq (US version) for a few years coastal cruising US NOAA ENC/RNC charts. I just purchased SEAiq Open to use other charts. SEAiq does what it says it does, very well. Actively supported and updated.

An interesting consideration is iSailor. Their Transas charts are gorgeous; however, each "feature" is an add-on with additional cost (e.g., NMEA feed, AIS,....).

A few years ago, I thought ActiveCaptain integration was important. In reality, I didn't use AC much. My problem was always that they downloaded the entire AC database, which I thought was a waste of time/storage for a specific sailing area.

On a side note - other charting programs such as Garmin Bluechart Mobile, Navionics..... seem to be "hunting" for a revenue model. Navionics has changed their pricing a few times the last few years; last checked it was an annual subscription model. Garmin BCM is going away, with their purchase of Navionics. Unclear where this ends up.

Don

[ranger58sb]

Plan2Nav (C-Map vector charts) and MX Mariner (NOAA raster charts).

I have iSailor, but we haven't used it yet... looks OK although it doesn't incorporate Active Captain markers...

-Chris

[RaymondR]

I used to use SeaClear before I switched to OpenCPN. Comes with a handy app for splicing photocopied charts together.

[jkleins]

I use Timezero MaxSea (also Nobeltec MaxSea) it is my clear favorite. I use navionics autorouting for planning and Garmin BlueChart for it’s active Captain implementation but find myself going back to the non-vector charts of MaxSea every time. It is particularly good with the Explorer charts of the Bahamas.

Jim

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by jkleins

I use Timezero MaxSea (also Nobeltec MaxSea) it is my clear favorite.

Ah. Me too. I didn't mention it at first 'cause I was thinking OP meant app for tablets and such.... but we use TimeZero on our ship's laptop and I like it better than the others. Partly because it matches what we have in our plotter, and partly because of features it offers (e.g., both raster and vector charts, etc.)

-Chris

[jkleins]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Ah. Me too. I didn't mention it at first 'cause I was thinking OP meant app for tablets and such.... but we use TimeZero on our ship's laptop and I like it better than the others. Partly because it matches what we have in our plotter, and partly because of features it offers (e.g., both raster and vector charts, etc.)

-Chris

Maxsea is available on iPad. That is the only place I use it.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Ah. Me too. I didn't mention it at first 'cause I was thinking OP meant app for tablets and such.... but we use TimeZero on our ship's laptop and I like it better than the others. Partly because it matches what we have in our plotter, and partly because of features it offers (e.g., both raster and vector charts, etc.)

-Chris

Originally Posted by jkleins

Maxsea is available on iPad. That is the only place I use it.

Yep. I meant I didn't think of it at first because we only use it on a laptop... but your earlier comment reminded me it exists and works on iThings too...

-Chris

[D328jet]

Originally Posted by jkleins

I use Timezero MaxSea (also Nobeltec MaxSea) it is my clear favorite. I use navionics autorouting for planning and Garmin BlueChart for it’s active Captain implementation but find myself going back to the non-vector charts of MaxSea every time. It is particularly good with the Explorer charts of the Bahamas.

Jim

Jim, how did you get the electronic raster Explorer Charts so you could load into your nav software? I am trying to get the raster charts so I can load them into SeaIQ but haven't found a source.
Thanks!

[Lepke]

I use MaxSeaTZ on a desktop and OpenCPN on a laptop as backup. The desktop powers a 32" monitor that doubles as a tv. Old time navigator that like to see more of the chart than a few inches.

I never use the 3d on MaxSea and run raster charts everywhere but Canada because of their laws. I think vector charts, especially in coastal navigation, are near useless.
Currently looking for a program that allows plotting of ranges, bearings and celestial work, all in the same program.

[jkleins]

Originally Posted by D328jet

Jim, how did you get the electronic raster Explorer Charts so you could load into your nav software? I am trying to get the raster charts so I can load them into SeaIQ but haven't found a source.

Thanks!

They are the only option when you purchase the Bahamas charts in the TimeZero app. I don’t know that they are available for SEAIQ.

[barnakiel]

We use NV Charts extensively in the Caribbean. Best charts for there, I think. Functionality only soso but adequate as a plotter.

Other areas they cover are N Europe, Bermuda.

b.

[CaptainCrayfish]

Well you can pretty much writeoff Navionics from here on out since Garmin took it over it has become another toy instead of a serious piece of Nav gear