 Check out the bookstore at IRBS.com |
|
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
From: Tim Holock (no email)
Date: Thu Jul 07 2005 - 17:52:30 EDT
Disclaimers first: I've only been seriously using Coastal Explorer while
underway for a couple of weeks. Also, I have never used the Capn or any
other app except the old Seaclear free program, so I can't do comparisons.
When I totted up the cost of digital charts for the entire east coast and
bahamas, which I hope to need, the cost was several thousand dollars, so
Coastal Explorer for $200 using S57 charts for free was the obvious first
choice. The problem is, the detail of a number of areas, specifically areas
that large vessels don't go, have yet to be converted to S57, and I have not
found any timetable from NOAA. So I needed to have a sure way around that.
First, I have paper charts for most areas, but second, I found SmartChart on
the web <http://map.marineplanner.com/mapping/chart/chartindex.cfm> where I
could download detailed charts for a reasonable price if I needed them. Not
S57, but Coastal Explorer handles raster just fine. So I figure I had
everything covered. An example of this:
Mystic Seaport on Long Island Sound has no detail in S57 yet. Just a small
notation on small-scale charts of the sound (because no large vessel could
get in there). But smartchart will let me download the chart for Fishers
Island Sound, with the detail of Mystic, for $8.95.
I have not actually tried the download, and made it work, but it looks good.
I have found several quirks in Coastal Explorer, none earth-shattering, and
the folks there are putting out an upgrade and bug-fix as we speak. Such
things as, (1) the virtual boat never seems to point in the direction I am
actually going, and (2) currents are missing for a lot of places, in the
'tides and currents' section (so I just use Jtides for that). They say these
are fixed in the upgrade. Other than the small bugs, it seems fantastic,
quilting is perfect, and the inclusion of the Guide Book is a nice touch.
The install disk includes all the S57s, current to a year ago, and also
smaller scale raster charts for most everywhere. Updating S57s to current is
easy, although a long download.
I'm happy.
Ask me if you have more questions.
Tim
Lying City Harbor, NY
-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of Bob
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2005 4:40 PM
To:
Subject: lv-ab: nav programs
I noticed during the computer discussion some folks are using Fugawi or
Coastal Explorer. I presently us The Cap'n and like it just fine but here is
the dilema; I will need to purchase charts for the gulf coast from Corpus to
the Keys and maybe a few for the east coast. This obviously would be a
substantial investment. I would like your input about these programs using
the NOAA raster downloads. On the surface it seems like a no brainer -- $200
for the program then load the downloaded charts. I must be missing some
important point.
Bob Johnson
Searunner 37 Hallelujah!
and PDQ 36 "BOB"
___________________________________________________________________________
|| The Live-Aboard List : send a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request ||
|| in body of message to: ||
___________________________________________________________________________
|| The Live-Aboard List : send a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request ||
|| in body of message to: ||
|