On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 13:02:39 -0800, Brent Geery wrote:

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 14:04:16 -0500, Matt O'Toole
wrote:

For the last 3 years I've been using Maptech's Pocket Navigator, which
runs on a PDA, with a companion program on a laptop. You can't use one
without the other. It works great though, the PDA being much faster and
easier to use, plus you can see the screen in direct sunlight. So far
this is my favorite.

Pocket Navigator = old and crippled version of Memory Map Navigator.

What's so much better about MM Navigator?

MM has an upgrade program where all you pay is the difference between
what Maptech charges for Pocket Nav and what they charge for Memory Map
Navigator or the Pro version. The Pro version even has support for AIS
display on the PocktPC.

http://www.memory-map.com/software_upgrade.htm can give you the cost to
upgrade to MMN or MMP. This is probably the cheapest route.

Upgrading will probably be cheapest way to get MM, but FYI for anyone
else buying new: The cheapest retailer for the Pro version that I have
found is the Canadian http://www.maptown.com. They have the Pro version
for US$173 (vs $225 retail) for the retail boxed version delivered to
the US. They also have the retail box version of MM Navigator for $111
delivered to the US, but it's cheaper to just buy a license from
http://www.memory-map.com and download the software.

Don't forget you need a PDA with add-on GPS too, so if you don't have
either you should look for a bundle. We got ours from Maptech themselves,
everything for like $600.

Why Memory Map is not more well known i beyond me. It is written by an
active sailor and cruiser and it is by far the most intuitive and easy
to use chart plotting software out there IMHO, and it is blazing fast,
like no other bar none.

I feel the same way about Pocket Navigator compared to the other stuff
I've used, but if you say MM Navigator is that much better it's worth a
try.

Designing for the PDA is probably similar to what designers faced when
developing the original Maptech for DOS. Limited resources enforces
design discipline. The later Maptech stuff looks like someone just
threw together a bunch of VB or Delphi widgets and called it a day.

Matt O.

Pocket Navigator = old and crippled version of Memory Map Navigator.

What's so much better about MM Navigator?

http://www.gpspassion.com/en/software/mmv4/mm_v4f.htm has a review
covering version 4 of PN and MMN (and the extra features of MMP.) MMN
is up to v5.

Here is a quick summary from the above link:
"The Maptech version doesn't allow all the various map types, 3D view,
Sync Views, and prior to V4 didn't contain the enhanced overlay manager
on the PocketPC, allowing you to list marks, routes, etc, in tabular
form (which is a nice feature). And of course, no printing or support
for creating and calibrating your own maps."

And the professional version adds the following features in addition to
the standard version:
- CSV (comma separated value) and ESRI Shapefile format. CSV is good
for managing data using a spreadsheet. and Shapefiles are widely used
for distributing geographic data.
- Support for large format printers, Tabloid (11" x 17" and larger)
inkjet printers
- Hi-res display for Pocket PC using Second Sight wearable display.
- Adds support for the free PocketAIS plugin. AIS target display on
both Pocket PC and desktop.

There are further features in the new v5 as well. See
www.memory-map.com.

MM has an upgrade program where all you pay is the difference between

what Maptech charges for Pocket Nav and what they charge for Memory Map
Navigator or the Pro version. The Pro version even has support for AIS
display on the PocktPC.
http://www.memory-map.com/software_upgrade.htm can give you the cost to
upgrade to MMN or MMP. This is probably the cheapest route.
Upgrading will probably be cheapest way to get MM, but FYI for anyone
else buying new: The cheapest retailer for the Pro version that I have
found is the Canadian http://www.maptown.com. They have the Pro version
for US$173 (vs $225 retail) for the retail boxed version delivered to
the US. They also have the retail box version of MM Navigator for $111
delivered to the US, but it's cheaper to just buy a license from
http://www.memory-map.com and download the software.

Don't forget you need a PDA with add-on GPS too, so if you don't have
either you should look for a bundle. We got ours from Maptech themselves,
everything for like $600.

Sure, but I assume you have that already.

Is that a VGA screen on the Maptech PDA? I've spent:

$170 Memory-Map Pro
$330 Dell Axim X51v 624Mhz VGA PDA new on e-Bay
$140 OtterBox 3600 w/ Through-the-Box Connection Pod
$20 Power dongle on e-Bay

So $660 total, but that includes a top-of-the-line PDA, MM Pro, and
deluxe waterproof case. Not bad for an extra 10%.

Why Memory Map is not more well known i beyond me. It is written by an
active sailor and cruiser and it is by far the most intuitive and easy
to use chart plotting software out there IMHO, and it is blazing fast,
like no other bar none.

I feel the same way about Pocket Navigator compared to the other stuff
I've used, but if you say MM Navigator is that much better it's worth a
try.

They have a 10 day demo of MMN, but I could not get the demo for MMP to
activate its extra features.

Designing for the PDA is probably similar to what designers faced when
developing the original Maptech for DOS. Limited resources enforces
design discipline. The later Maptech stuff looks like someone just
threw together a bunch of VB or Delphi widgets and called it a day.

You're right. Richard, the guy behind MM, has a background in
intergrated systems.

On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 02:39:35 -0800, bgeery wrote:

Pocket Navigator = old and crippled version of Memory Map Navigator.

What's so much better about MM Navigator?

http://www.gpspassion.com/en/software/mmv4/mm_v4f.htm has a review
covering version 4 of PN and MMN (and the extra features of MMP.) MMN
is up to v5.

Here is a quick summary from the above link: "The Maptech version
doesn't allow all the various map types, 3D view, Sync Views, and prior
to V4 didn't contain the enhanced overlay manager on the PocketPC,
allowing you to list marks, routes, etc, in tabular form (which is a
nice feature). And of course, no printing or support for creating and
calibrating your own maps."

And the professional version adds the following features in addition to
the standard version:
- CSV (comma separated value) and ESRI Shapefile format. CSV is good for
managing data using a spreadsheet. and Shapefiles are widely used for
distributing geographic data.
- Support for large format printers, Tabloid (11" x 17" and larger)
inkjet printers
- Hi-res display for Pocket PC using Second Sight wearable display. -
Adds support for the free PocketAIS plugin. AIS target display on both
Pocket PC and desktop.

There are further features in the new v5 as well. See
www.memory-map.com.

I'm sure all that stuff is neat, but I probably wouldn't use any of it.
I'm not being flip, just realistic. Thanks for the report though, and
I'll check out the review.

Is that a VGA screen on the Maptech PDA? I've spent:

$170 Memory-Map Pro
$330 Dell Axim X51v 624Mhz VGA PDA new on e-Bay $140 OtterBox 3600 w/
Through-the-Box Connection Pod $20 Power dongle on e-Bay

So $660 total, but that includes a top-of-the-line PDA, MM Pro, and
deluxe waterproof case. Not bad for an extra 10%.

We got the iPaq PDA, a sleeve GPS, and the Maptech software, bundled for
$600. This was ~3 years ago. Hardware prices have probably come
down since.

The bundle was supposed to include a Navman sleeve GPS, but came with a
nearly identical Transplant instead. I guess Maptech was out of Navmans
that day. That's fine, but we had a heck of a time trying to get support
from Maptech or Navman. Maptech basically blew us off, despite being
Maptech customer #3 of all time -- 20+ years -- and having bought every
version since. Navman were very nice, but perplexed as to why the unit we
had didn't resemble any of theirs!

Since then, I've had to replace the GPS -- strangely, with a Transplant
CF model that plugs into the original sleeve GPS. So I have a GPS plugged
into a dead GPS, plugged into (or onto) the PDA. It's a stupid
arrangement, but the only practical solution. The Transplant
people were great, after we finally figured out we were their customer,
not Navman's. They got a replacement to us in Canada within a couple of
days.

We're no longer too happy with Maptech, either their products or the
company. I do not want to give them any more money. I love how
they tell us to "just go to their website" -- when we're on a frickin' boat!

So folks, there's your Maptech feedback.

Note -- I'm glad we still have, and know how to use, paper charts.

They have a 10 day demo of MMN, but I could not get the demo for MMP to
activate its extra features.

I'll probably give it a go. Thanks for the tip.

Matt O.

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 14:04:16 -0500, Matt O'Toole
wrote:

Previously I had used every version of Maptech since 1.0 for DOS*. All of
these except 1.0 are slow, even on fast computers; very cumbersome to use,
and buggy.

Most of the bugs seem to be gone in version 5. I have no issues with
speed running on 500 mhz Pentium 3s which are not exactly state of the
art.

It is important to shut down unused software like virus checkers, fire
walls, anti spyware, and other memory hogs not needed for navigation.

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 01:10:22 GMT, "John Glynn"
wrote:

I'm sort of used to navigating with paper charts and a pencil...but thinking
of moving a little higher-tech.

Been looking at PC Navigation Software. Looked at Chart Navigator Pro by
MapTech, the Ozi one, Fugawi and others.

I sure would appreciate users input on what they use, and what they like and
don't like about it.

I've been quite happy with Fugawi ENC V3, using it primarily as an
interactive electronic chart plotter, without taking advantage of the
route planning features. It's just not so convenient in close quarters
to have the chart plot down on the nav station, so far from the wheel.

I would love to have a daylight visible and weather proof display at
the wheel, but there doesn't seem to be a matching product. The
computer side is too dim and fragile, while the chart plotters all
seem to use proprietary charting, with no way to easily take advantage
of the NOAA freebies. Anybody have a suggestion to put the free charts
into my cockpit?

Thanks,

Ryk

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 17:39:53 -0500, Ryk
wrote:

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 01:10:22 GMT, "John Glynn"
wrote:

I'm sort of used to navigating with paper charts and a pencil...but thinking
of moving a little higher-tech.

Been looking at PC Navigation Software. Looked at Chart Navigator Pro by
MapTech, the Ozi one, Fugawi and others.

I sure would appreciate users input on what they use, and what they like and
don't like about it.

I've been quite happy with Fugawi ENC V3, using it primarily as an
interactive electronic chart plotter, without taking advantage of the
route planning features. It's just not so convenient in close quarters
to have the chart plot down on the nav station, so far from the wheel.

I would love to have a daylight visible and weather proof display at
the wheel, but there doesn't seem to be a matching product. The
computer side is too dim and fragile, while the chart plotters all
seem to use proprietary charting, with no way to easily take advantage
of the NOAA freebies. Anybody have a suggestion to put the free charts
into my cockpit?

Like you, I refuse to be dependant upon proprietary chart formats
(with outdated data) sold at premium prices by the hardware
manufactures. Why can't a company come out with a inexpensive LCD
screen that uses reflective technology vs the common transmissive
technology. PDAs have used this feature for a long time on their
small screens to cure the problems caused by trying to power an energy
hungry back light to fight the sun. For now, I see the PDA as the
only economical choice, in terms of both money and electrical energy
demands.

So, buy PDA and run Fugawi's PDA software that came with your ENC
software for free. PDA screens are daylight viewable. Stick the PDA
in an otterbox waterproof (to 100 feet) case.

I don't know if Fugawi's PDA software is VGA compatible, but it's a
critical feature IMO, with the ability to show four times as much
chart on the screen vs a QVGA displays of lesser PDAs. Memory-Maps's
PDA software is VGA compatible for sure.

If you have a NMEA multiplexor, get a $70 "AIRcable"
serial-to-bluetooth adaptor on it, and now walk around your boat with
all your nav data-- even laying in your bunk! Memory-Map Pro will
even show AIS targets on the PDA.

This option is the most energy efficient and least expensive of all
the solutions.

--
BRENT - The Usenet typo king.

1. a very expensive daylight viewable monitor.
2. a Panasonic PDWD remote wireless waterproof display display. These look
pretty nice, but I've never seen on in action. They cost around $1800
3. I have ordered a Fujitsu tablet PC with 10" sunlight viewable monitor
and an OtterBox water proof case that lets you use it in the rain. I will
connect it to the GPS and other instruments through a NMEA Bluetooth
multiplexer. We'll see how it all works out.


"Ryk" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 01:10:22 GMT, "John Glynn"
wrote:

I'm sort of used to navigating with paper charts and a pencil...but
thinking
of moving a little higher-tech.

Been looking at PC Navigation Software. Looked at Chart Navigator Pro by
MapTech, the Ozi one, Fugawi and others.

I sure would appreciate users input on what they use, and what they like
and
don't like about it.

I've been quite happy with Fugawi ENC V3, using it primarily as an
interactive electronic chart plotter, without taking advantage of the
route planning features. It's just not so convenient in close quarters
to have the chart plot down on the nav station, so far from the wheel.

I would love to have a daylight visible and weather proof display at
the wheel, but there doesn't seem to be a matching product. The
computer side is too dim and fragile, while the chart plotters all
seem to use proprietary charting, with no way to easily take advantage
of the NOAA freebies. Anybody have a suggestion to put the free charts
into my cockpit?

Thanks,

Ryk

John Glynn a écrit:

I'm sort of used to navigating with paper charts and a pencil...but thinking
of moving a little higher-tech.

Been looking at PC Navigation Software. Looked at Chart Navigator Pro by
MapTech, the Ozi one, Fugawi and others.

I sure would appreciate users input on what they use, and what they like and
don't like about it.

I used ScanNav (http://www.scannav.com/GB/home.html) from the very
begining of the development of this software (7 years ago).
Now this is a complete program (it reads all usual raster map formats
*and* the free US maps in the S57 vector format in a seamless way).
You can get it for less than $300 (including tidal currents and weather
forecast additionnal modules and frequent free updates).
Considering the numerous functionnalities of ScanNav, the only programs
I have tried who can beat the Scannav's quality/price ratio are free
softwares such as SeaClear.

An important point : the program itself is very light and you can use it
easily in an old and cheap laptop dedicated to your boat. This is what I
do.

--
Peio