Dennis,, I took a look at the oziexplorer .. nice.

So, if I have this right ??? I get a GPS, such as Garmin 76 ( they are
selling on ebay for around $150 ) and an old or new laptop.

Then, I download the oziexplorer onto the laptop.

I plug the GPS into the laptop, the program works with the GPS. I will see
where I am on the screen and be able to use all the other software features
that oziexplorer offers.

You mentioned the power problem .. does a laptop use a huge amount of
power? I don't own one and have never owned one. I assumed that if I
powered it up for a day then it would be good to go for some time... how
much power does the laptop use? The GPS's I looked at on the net use
batteries that can be re-powered.

The Garmin blue chart software is $150. The oziexplorer is $85. An old
laptop on ebay can be bought for about $200. Heck, there are a few in the
under $100 range.

So, one GPS = $140
software oziex = $85
laptop = = $200
==========================
total .. $425

probably do this for less with some work.

Not bad when you think that a system that can do navigating, GPS work,
mapping, and then use the laptop for internet/movies/whatever...

Sure beats paying Garmin $150 for their blue chart software.

One other poster mentioned the screen can't be read during daylight. Since
I will need to protect the laptop anyway, maybe I can come up with some type
of cover that will put the laytop in the dark, or at least when I look at
the screen it would be dark..

if you have any other thoughts pass them along..

This is a great help.

"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Benning Wentworth wrote:
A previous post I was reading got me thinking about this :::::::

The GPS, say a Garmin ,, models like the 76. I know that if you have
a lap top and MAPTECH Offshore Navigator CD which comes with the
chart book .. whew ... anyway ,, the Garmin GPS will work as a
receiver for position the the Offshore Navigator software will act as
the chart ,,, so you will know where you are on the chart and all.

I like the idea. I have MAPTECH charts and the CD. I can get a
Garmin GPS . But and here is the big BUT;;

What about the Laptop? Where would a sailboat keep it so it didn't
get wet? What laptop? What is a good model to use for this purpose?

I'm sure one of you cruising sailors has done this ... could you
explain how it works, what computer you use, where you keep the
computer when on the water, and generally how the whole process works
for you.

Thanks

I have used laptops for navigation fo the past 6-7 years. Buy a
2-3-year-old
model in "as-new" condition from E-Bay. You don't have to sit at it all
day,
otherwise who steers the boat? They can be folded and put away in the same
place you keep your dry underwear in about 20 seconds. If you buy a laptop
with a separate port replicator, you can leave the latter connected to GPS
and power source and simply unclip the laptop leaving everything connected
and ready to go.

Large polythene bags can be thrown over any equipment at the chart table
in
the event of a sudden storm. Self-adhesive Velcro holds the laptop etc. in
place, and the power supply problem can be solved by using a small
inverter
plus the laptop's own power supply.

Best software by far is Oziexplorer, believe me, 6-7 years trying 'em all
still leaves Ozi way out in front!

www.oziexplorer.com