Glen "Wiley" Wilson wrote:
On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 10:06:20 GMT, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:

Dave wrote:
On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 21:12:07 GMT, "Dennis Pogson"
said:

Ozi's functionality and many more useful options swung it for me

Can you identify the ones you found significant?

I use a vast number of navigation icons, all self-designed and sized
appropriately, using the Ozi 17 by 17 pixel grid with transparent
backgrounds.

The separate calibration application in Seaclear is a pain, and
there are not enough projection, datum or calibration point options
to cover a large range of different maps/charts. Ozi is unique in
this respect. I have found no other program to compare with it.

The "vessel" icon in Seaclear makes my tiny yacht look more like the
Oriana. It's scale is not editable, and the shape is fixed, unlike
Ozi's fantastic choice of icons, all of which are scale-able.

I can display hundreds of photographs of lighthouses, anchorages,
beauty spots, etc., etc., in addition to navigation warnings not on
the "paper" charts, cruise narratives, recommended tracks, anchoring
advice, etc. etc., which in Ozi are a very simple and quick function
to utilise.

Ozi has an excellent anchor-watch facility incorporated.

Ozi can display an unbelievable number of different file formats,
and can import BSB, Maptech PCX, and a host of proprietary formats
at lightning speed.

Ozi's moving-map data panel is second to none, and many of it's menu
functions are duplicated in the various data panels, enabling swift
amendments to course, track, and plotting functions.

The helpfile in Ozi is extremely comprehensive and relatively
user-friendly, unlike many other nav. programs.

Most of my sailing friends have tried other nav. programs, and after
extensive learning/usage experiences, have always come back to
Oziexplorer, despite using vector chart applications such as
Mapsource and Tsunami etc., this is sufficient proof to me that Ozi
contains virtually anything that the other programs can offer,
although it does not, for the moment, incorporate a "track-up"
display facility, which I can live without, thankyou.

I accept that all of us are more appreciative of software that we
have used almost exclusively for a long time, and tend to reject
"interlopers" because we simply have not the time or patience to
learn the new software. The latest versions of Seaclear may well
have many of the attributes mentioned above, and I stand corrected
if that is the case, but I truly believe that if you take the time
and trouble to master Ozi, (it is not a two-hour experience!), your
patience will be rewarded.

The above summary is nowhere near comprehensive, just a few quick
thoughts designed to stir up a little controversy. If you can't be
bothered to work with a program like Oziexplorer for a long time,
and learn it's many facilities, or if you are in a hurry to put your
newly-acquired digital charts to use, then choose something less
demanding. Seaclear is an excellent program, and does have some new
facilities, such as AIS, but don't expect too much of it.

Hope this is enough to get you started.


Dennis.

I have nothing against SeaClear, but I'm a fan of Ozi as well. One
thing you didn't mention is the OziAPI which allows other programs to
communicate with Ozi to do various things. For instance, I have
written a program that uses NMEA data. I can use OziAPI to pass the
data straight to Ozi when I'm done with it, or I can extract position
data from Ozi directly. There are a few free and shareware programs
out there that do some nice things with Ozi. Another example: you
can write comments onto the moving map display through through the
API. I've used this to implement a survey function that writes depth
data on the chart in real time. You can feel your way into an
uncharted cove and come out with an updated chart. Ozi is smart enogh
to apply the comments to any other chart that covers the same area, if
you like. There is also a very active user community on Yahoo that is
very helpful and knowledgeable. The author has been very responsive
to user requests for new functions and bug fixes. In my opinion,
OziExplorer is a terrific example of the right way to do shareware.

Glen

Glen,

I agree with all your comments. Trouble with Ozi is there are so many
functions you can't remember them all! Particularly in the winter when you
are not using it on a daily basis.

I have used the depth plug-on to good effect and am most impressed with it.

Maybe the next add-on will be AIS? The sailing community seem to think this
is the next "must have".

Dennis.