On Tue, 7 Sep 2010 00:41:17 +0000 (UTC), JohnF
wrote:

Wayne.B wrote:
JohnF wrote:

What's a good and not-too-expensive hardware/software combination
to use with a (bluetooth enabled) net/notebook running winxp for
a chartplotter application? Electronics on recent charter didn't
work right, and I'd like to put something together on my netbook
that's a little better than my handheld gps. I was looking at
gps receiver
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=270630743828
software
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=280312392457
Is that a good choice? And will that gps receiver play nicely
with maptech navigator lite, that came with my chartkit?
(And is there anything for linux? -- that's what I prefer running,
but dual boot my netbook with winxp for occasions where windows is
the only game in town.) Thanks,

There is a relatively new (and free) charting package called OpenCPN.
It will work with just about any GPS:
http://opencpn.org/
http://opencpn.org/download

I don't have any experience with Bluetooth GPS units, however I
recently purchased a USB GPS that I'm very happy with:
http://www.amazon.com/USGlobalSat-BU...bled-Receiver/
dp/B000V5TV22

It is very accurate, sensitive, quick to acquire satellites,
inexpensive, small, and water proof. It has worked with every
software mapping package that I've tried it with including Maptech,
Street Map (both USA and Europe), and OpenCPN. It also comes with
utility software and drivers which create a virtual COM port, displays
the port # of the GPS unit, displays satellite info, and displays NMEA
sentences.

Thanks a lot for the recommendations, Wayne. I ordered that receiver
from Amazon (does it acquire satellites from the cabin, or only cockpit?),
and downloaded (windows, linux, source versions of) OpenCPN,
along with its documentation and their converted pilot charts.
And I'm surprised there's a linux version (but haven't had a chance
to install/play with anything yet). From the main page I see it
supports various chart formats, and assume the vector ones are better
than raster. Is there some reason OpenCPN had to specially convert them?
And are there some standard chart download sites, or, even better,
some inexpensive dvd's with them all? And some sites that explain the
formats, copyrights (I'm aware there are some proprietary ones), etc?
And, finally, I'm realizing I'll need a small efficient inverter
for prolonged use. You have a recommendation for that? Thanks again,

There are arguments pro and con regarging raster vs vector charts. I
personally prefer the appearance of raster charts. You can download
US charts for free from the NOAA web site:

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/

The GPS is sensitive enough that it works inside my house going
through two different layers of structure. No problem at all on a
boat unless you have steel or aluminum decks.