chart software
 

I have been looking for a chart plotting application that I can run on my
laptop, attached to my garmin gps. I've heard good things about the Capt'n.
I was also interested in Fugawi 3 because it can be used with land-based
maps as well as marine charts. The product description makes it seem pretty
powerful, and the price is great ($84). But, sometimes you get what you way
for...

Has anyone tried Fugawi 3?

Thanks,
Jason

Mine too is over 20 years old and is still working well. The Plastic
drum is getting old and brittle but is still serviceable. This is in a
26' boat in fresh water

Matt

Sorry, responded to the wrong post.

Gotta go and get another coffee.

Matt

On Thu, 26 May 2005 08:59:59 -0400, "Jason"
wrote:

I have been looking for a chart plotting application that I can run on my
laptop, attached to my garmin gps. I've heard good things about the Capt'n.
I was also interested in Fugawi 3 because it can be used with land-based
maps as well as marine charts. The product description makes it seem pretty
powerful, and the price is great ($84). But, sometimes you get what you way
for...

Has anyone tried Fugawi 3?

Thanks,
Jason

In my experience, people's favorite chart package is mostly determined
by which one they started with. Personally, I have several, and use
them all for different purposes. Functionally, they're all pretty
close and I suppose any would meet minimum requirements. First step
is to research what cartography (charts) you would like to use based
on appearance, coverage of your area, cost, etc. Vector or raster is
the first decision. Which you choose will eliminate a lot of choices
in charting software.

From your question, it sounds as if you have chosen raster. In that
category, I like the Maptech chartkits for the extra photos and topo
maps. You need to use Maptech software to use the extras, but many
packages will read the charts. Softcharts (from the same people tha
sell CAPN) are the other major choice I've used and they are fine.
They can also be purchased one at a time instead of in regional kits.
Maptech software won't read Softcharts, but most packages will.
Ideally, you would want to try the alternatives out on the water, with
the boat pitching and rolling as well as at your desk at home.

A final confusion in US chart selection is new free US vector charts
known as ENCs. They are the wave of the future, As far as I know,
Fugawi leads the market in supporting them, but I think that situation
will change. The vendors are still figuring out how to make money off
the deal -- the real profit has always been in the charts.

My real recommendation is that you not accept recommendations from
people who don't know your boat, your navigation needs, where you
sail, how powerful your laptop is, etc. While you are educating
yourself on the various alternatives, you might want to look at
OziExplorer. You can trial it for free while you get a handle on what
functions you need. Then you can ask better questions. In the
meantime, Ozi is pretty powerful, licenses for about the same price as
Fugawi, and will use just about any raster chart. It has a rather
inelegant user interface, in my opinion, but it works. It will also
run well on a laptop that would choke trying to run Maptech.
__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at world wide wiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

I am a rep for Fugawi and can sell it, and the eltronic charts. I am
also the recommended trainer for Fugawi and can arrange a training
session in person or on line. I can discuss with you, at no charge,
the benefits of Fugawi (and as compared to...). Generally, Fugawi is a
very robust product (belied by its price)and very competative with the
other programs out there. please give me a call or email (directly)
(4166179966)

Jason wrote:
I have been looking for a chart plotting application that I can run on my
laptop, attached to my garmin gps. I've heard good things about the Capt'n.
I was also interested in Fugawi 3 because it can be used with land-based
maps as well as marine charts. The product description makes it seem pretty
powerful, and the price is great ($84). But, sometimes you get what you way
for...

Has anyone tried Fugawi 3?

Thanks,
Jason

Jason
Have a look at OziExplorer. It is an entirely reasonable charting
package and does not use as much PC overhead as some others

I've used Fugawi interfaced to a Garmin since ver 2 (upgraded to 3).
Almost magic.

"Jason" wrote in message
...
I have been looking for a chart plotting application that I can run on my
laptop, attached to my garmin gps. I've heard good things about the
Capt'n.
I was also interested in Fugawi 3 because it can be used with land-based
maps as well as marine charts. The product description makes it seem
pretty
powerful, and the price is great ($84). But, sometimes you get what you
way
for...

Has anyone tried Fugawi 3?

Thanks,
Jason

On Thu, 26 May 2005 08:59:59 -0400, "Jason"
wrote:

I have been looking for a chart plotting application that I can run on my
laptop, attached to my garmin gps. I've heard good things about the Capt'n.
I was also interested in Fugawi 3 because it can be used with land-based
maps as well as marine charts. The product description makes it seem pretty
powerful, and the price is great ($84). But, sometimes you get what you way
for...

Has anyone tried Fugawi 3?

Thanks,
Jason


http://www.sping.com/seaclear/

It is a very nice program and it is FREE!
Can't beat that unless you need ENC charts, in which case check out
Fugawi.