Downloading and viewing NOAA Charts

Cker

I've learned that you can download the NOAA charts to a pc but they are in encoded form. I can't find the reference to decoding software but it referred to two packages - Cap'n and Fugawi. Both these packages seem expensive and I wonder whether I would use any of the features other than simply looking at the charts on a pc.
Does anyone know of software or shareware that can be used to decode these charts- (Similar to the process Adobe reader uses to decode pdf files)? It would seem there would be software available without the necessity of purchasing the entire software suite. Question

breausaw · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject:

I use this one a lot http://demo.geogarage.com/noaa/
It not perfect but free.

Go here and you can view the NOAA charts on-line: You do need Adobe Flash Player……
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/OnLineViewer.html
Sorry, don’t know how to download and view any other way for free.

Jay

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:

If you wanna dance, you gotta pay the fiddler. I'm not aware of anyone who offers a less-featured nav software. Considering what NOAA paper charts sell for, the free on-line charts and a free viewer are quite a money saver.

I use the MacENC viewer, and it does offer some things, like: distance and heading planning, but you cannot save the route with the free viewer. It's the developers' intellectual property, they get to set the price of admission.

But, FREE CHARTS... what a deal!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

BrentB · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject:

have you tried the free easy view 2 viewer?
http://www.caris.com/

journey on · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject:

NOAA charts aren't encoded as such, but as with any digital file they have a format. You need a program that can use that format, just as you need a program that will open jpg format pictures.

NOAA offers a FREE chart viewer here: NOAA Chart Viewer. Never used it but I assume it works.

What I don't understand is what you're going to do with those charts. You can look at them to your hearts content, but are you going to use them for navigation? That will take a program that inputs GPS data, plots courses and allow one to develop routes. There's where you need something more, such as the programs you mentioned.

SeaClear (free software download) is such a program, and as noted is free. It supports most BSB/KAP version 1 - 3, but I don't know if those formats include the latest NOAA charts. It does accept GPS input.

If that doesn't do the job for you, there are programs (listed by Defender, West Marine, etc.) that start at ~$225. Add a GPS for ~$75 and you're home free, since you already have a computer.

Boris

20dauntless · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject:

I have GPSNavX on my Mac and it works fine for running raster charts and only costs about $50. A USB GPS receiver was another $30 and this makes a pretty cheap way to plan trips and works nicely as a backup. I'm not familiar with Windows programs.

YACD · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:38 am Post subject:

I use GPSnavX offline for trip planning and plain old daydreaming. I've thought of using it for real time navigation but worry about the hammering that the Mac would get in bad conditions. The program is cheap and excellent. You get free upgrades for life and the NOAA raster charts are easy to download.

A newer option is to use iNavX from the same developer. I was amazed to see what I could do with this app and my iPhone 3gs. From inside iNavX you use the phone to download any NOAA raster chart without additional charge (JamesTXSD: they're not "free" since we have already paid for them through our taxes Mr. Green

). I have dozens of NOAA charts stored in my iphone since they're only about 1MB each. iNavX displays the chart and uses the phone's inbuilt GPS receiver to plot your position in real time. You don't need a cell phone signal for this, so the phone becomes a real backup navigation system. You do need a cell phone signal to download charts so they should be in the phone before you leave for your trip. iNavX is not yet a full featured navigation program but it has routes, and a few other useful items. Once again upgrades are free for life (at least for the life of the developer Very Happy

). All this costs just $50. A great excuse to own an iphone Laughing

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:54 am Post subject:

marvin4239 · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 am Post subject:

A while back I downloaded Sea Clear and all the appropriate charts. Being somewhat computer challenged this all took several days of head scratching and I never was able to get the program (Sea Clear) to recognize two different USB GPS's pucks I have. All this of course was free except for my frustration. I finally took the laptop to a Dell service center and they couldn't get Sea Clear to recognize the GPS even theough the charts loaded fine. I eventually gave up on it. Recently I ran across this ad on E-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Digital-Marine-Charts-GPS-Navigation-System-Plotter-DVD_W0QQitemZ330310929367QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBoat_Parts_Accessories_Gear?hash=item4ce810cbd7&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1307

I don't know if this is any good but for $99 which includes a GPS it in my case certainly would be worth it if it works. I haven't tried it maybe someone else has or would like to.

BrentB · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject:

Here is an article from MadMariner
http://madmariner.com/tip/031808

thataway · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject:

I have used both Sea Clear and Offshore Navigator lite. They both work well.

I purchased a DVD with all of the US coastal and COE charts for $50, which included Offshore navigator a couple of years ago. I have downloaded this DVD to all of my lap top computers, so I always have a full set of US charts with me--both for boating, planing and answering questions. Unfortunately MapTech has been sold, and not sure how available this DVD is now, but I found one, which seems siimilar for $85 at Landfall navigation. Maybe Matt has a source. You can download the most recent charts from the internet and use them, instead of the ones on the DVD. But the charts don't change much if any---and real updates are on the Local Notice to Mariners which are also free on the Internet. (I say Free--we all pay for them).