Online Charts

The online viewable charts are very cool!

Now, what we need to do is set up your Coastal Explorer software on your new Acer Aspire One netbook, get the NOAA downloadable charts, and hook up a USB GPS puck.
 
Pat Anderson":1d17pkgt said:
The online viewable charts are very cool!

Now, what we need to do is set up your Coastal Explorer software on your new Acer Aspire One netbook, get the NOAA downloadable charts, and hook up a USB GPS puck.
Click to expand...

Holy Toledo, did I just see Pat Anderson espouse the use of a PC instead of a Mac? I am shocked. Unbelievable. Pat, tell me it ain't so!!
 
Captains Cat":1epzssbl said:
I think the key word there is

YOUR not MY :lol:

Charlie
Click to expand...

Charlie, I would have expected Pat to say "Hook that PC to your anchor line, then throw it over the side and get a MacBook." Shocked I remain... :wink
 
Pat and David both have Acer Aspire One netbooks. The difference is, David's is running Windows, Pat's is running (what else?) Ubuntu Netbook Remix (which is TRES cool!). I am as big a fan of Ubuntu (especially 9.04) on PCs as I am of OS X on Macs. David however can run Coastal Explorer, which of course is a Windows program. I am merely suggesting he should take advantage of that capability, as long as he chooses to use an inferior operating system! In the meantime, our search continues for a usable chartplotter program than can read the NOAA charts for Linux!
 
Pat,
Our new boat has inadequate electronics on it. I'm leaning towards a Garmin system. However, I do have room for a computer and monitor on the boat. Is Coastal Explorer the best option for PC software? How difficult is it for a non techie to load and use it? What are the advantages and disadvantages as compared with a dedicated Garmin/Raymarine style system?

I might put a PC with charting software on temporarily, test and see if I want it on permanently. I see that there is radar to go with the system. Do you know who makes the radar?
Lyle
 
Coastal Explorer is, IMHO, simply fantastic, but then, I have not evaluated Nobeltec or other PC based packages. You might check out timflan's reviews (Tim, you out there?). I would prefer a dedicated chart plotter on a small boat, but hey, on a big one, a PC system might be the cat's meow. Coastal Explorer is easy to use and makes setting up waypoints and routes child's play. The software is expensive but the charts are free - so in the end, it is quite a bit less than a dedicated chart plotter with a bunch of cards.

Bess-C":23jsp4s1 said:
Pat,
Our new boat has inadequate electronics on it. I'm leaning towards a Garmin system. However, I do have room for a computer and monitor on the boat. Is Coastal Explorer the best option for PC software? How difficult is it for a non techie to load and use it? What are the advantages and disadvantages as compared with a dedicated Garmin/Raymarine style system?

I might put a PC with charting software on temporarily, test and see if I want it on permanently. I see that there is radar to go with the system. Do you know who makes the radar?
Lyle
Click to expand...
 
Having used several PC based navigation programs, including coastal explorer, and many different chart plotters, I conclude that on our small boats it is preferable to use a dedicated chart plotter. Keep the computer for photos, internet, C Brats, etc. For larger boats, the balance may be more toward the computer. (I also use Macs, but have not used any of the navigation programs for the Mac)
 
thanks Doryman

Looking at Amazon, I found

2 new from $34.95
4 used from $52.62

First time I have seen used cost more than new
 
One aspect of the dedicated plotter vs PC hasn't been mentioned: REDUNDANCY. If that chart plotter goes down, or isn't working properly, having a back-up PC is wonderful.

We all carry a PC on board for e-mail, etc. (except Pat and I allow him to deal with his minority position.) The addition of a chart plotting program and GPS is a minimal cost to provide the added security. For example, our chart plotter doesn't overlay radar and plot. In fog we would run the PC for a chart plotter and the JRC on radar.

We use Fugawi, because it can handle vector (ENC) charts, which are also available free through NOAA. I think all plotter programs are good if one LEARNS TO USE them. Practice, practice, practice.

Boris
 
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