NavMan GPS for laptop

dogon dory · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:32 am Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Pat Anderson · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:41 am Post subject:

We will be using the laptop for backup. Even though we are getting the Raymarine C80 integrated package, at $579 for the RayTech package, I will probably just pass on this software...it does look like the cat's meow for interfacing your PC to the Raymarine though, and I did bookmark the page. The next version of Coastal Explorer promises the ability to download waypoints and routes via the standard NMEA interface, which is all I really would need anyway. BTW, West Marine matched Broken Leg Dave's price on the Navionics Gold XLC chip - got the Vancouver chip, which is basically all of Puget Sound north to the tip of Vancouver Island (both east and west coasts) for $170...

On the NOAA vector charts, they are pretty good but there are some big holes around here, I know they are adding new ones daily (it looks like about 5 in the last week), and like Dan says, the Maptech regional raster charbooks are $$$pendy.

dogon dory · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:55 am Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

gljjr · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:50 am Post subject:

Dan,

I don't remember where I found it but I downloaded a trial version of Fugawi Marine ENC a while back. While it isn't bad the stiching together of charts is no where near as good as Coastal Explorer. Plus I found the GUI clunky. Coastal Explorer's GUI is very easy since it follows Windows standards. This may not mean that much to non computer geeks but basically it means that the menu's and buttons look similar to what you would see on a MS application. This really isn't too surprising since the designer is a retired MS VP.

BTW: When I first found Coastal Explorer I had some questions on it so I sent them an email. They replied to my mails in an hour, twice! All in all I think they have proven to me that this is software I would like to own.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:37 am Post subject:

I downloaded the trial version also. Program works very well and is easy to use. Will make a great back up and even better when the new version comes out this month or next.

Now I have to find a GPS "puck". MS Maps and Streets package for about $129 was sold out when I tried to order from them. I think this product is carried at stores like Staples, Office Depot etc.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:39 am Post subject:

David - there was a link to it on Amazon for $99 higher up in this thread...might also try Costco.

dogon dory · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:51 am Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

flabeachcomber · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 6:38 pm Post subject: A Winner!

Found a terrific electronic navigation package called Memory-Map Navigator.
Costs is $99.95 and VERY easy to use. Tried demo of many others including The CAPN Mosaic, Coastal Explorer, etc., but either too expensive or too steep a learning curve.
Try demo of Memory Map Navigator http://www.memory-map.com/
and I think you will agree.
I use it for planning routes on my laptop and will give it a try on "Kestrel" next week. I have a GPS receiver which I can suck cup to me window.
Pete

Mr. Fisherman

Got my streets and trips 2005 software and GPS, WOW!
It is more than just impressive. The GPS works with my Maptech software but the streets and trips software is incredible! It even has all the marinas in it!
It is a great tool for planning your trip. No more asking how to get somewhere or how much it should cost. Good stuff...

gljjr · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 1:58 am Post subject:

One of the features I like about Streets and trips is that you can set the gas mileage and gas price and it will tell you how much the fuel will cost for the trip. Also, if you have a stop set up on the route you can find places close to the stop. Another thing it can do is tell you when you should expect to be needing fuel and where the closest gas station is to that spot.
The biggest drawback is that it doesn't have voice prompts and doesn't automatically recalibrate the directions when you take a wrong turn.

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:54 pm Post subject:

Been awhile for this thread....

I recently discovered that Fugawi makes a free viewer for ENC charts. See http://www.fugawi.com/viewenc/viewenc.html to download. It's not for use with a GPS or anything but it is completely free and it does allow you to have up to 3 maps open at once. The features are pretty minimal, but what do you expect for nothing? I played around with it a bit on Sun and downloaded all the maps for the NW. It's a nice way to explore waters that you're planning to visit without paying a dime for software or maps.

Roger