Chart Plotting Software

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:11 pm

Hi all,

I decided I needed a non depressing topic.

Have any of you tried any of the chartplotting software. I've used SeaClear, and Chart Navigator reader, both of which are free. Chart Navigator Reader, and free navigational charts are on www.freeboatingcharts.com, and Sea Clear is on www.sping.com/seaclear/.

SeaClear is fully functional, including displaying your boat's position when connected to a usb gps. With Chart navigator reader, you can't display the boat's position with gps (they want money for that feature), but you do get tidal stations and tide charts.

Anyone else tried these or others?

Darin

amayotte · Post by **amayotte** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:22 am

Another one that I like is oziexplorer.
http://www.oziexplorer.com/

It's a very functional and powerful piece of software. I do believe that it's a fee for service software but I have used it and like it very much.
I've built maps for it and it does show your position on top of the map.

The nice thing with ozi, which I'm sure the others do to, is once your image is scanned and loaded into ozi you can re-calibrate the picture for you geographical location to your specific needs.

Hope this helps.

Adam

Gus · Post by **Gus** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:58 pm

I tried the chart plotter thing with the laptop and the GPS connected using the serial port... too much clutter IMO. I sprung the money and bought a GPS 172, now I'm saving the buy the NC chip with the charts.

Gus

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:39 pm

I was thinking of using a mount like police officers use in their cars. That would reduce the clutter.

The clutter wasn't as much of an issue as not having a good place to put the laptop where it could easily be seen from the cockpit. When my wife is on board, she doesn't mind hanging out below and being the navigator, as a matter of fact, I think she enjoys it. When I am by myself, though, it gets to be a pain.

Darin