I know that this has been discussed before but search results show that
the last time it came up here was a year ago and this stuff changes
pretty rapidly.

The last I used was DOS based so I haven't a clue what's out there now.
Thought I'd farm the wisdom of the group. I'll be running it on a
Dell Latitude D800.

Thanks

Chuck
http://americanvega.org

I have Chart Navigator Pro and Garmin's Mapsource and really cannot
recommend either one. They are both useful for planning a trip but I would
not use either one as my primary electronic navigation system. I'll stick
with the onboard RayMarine integrated system. Mapsource is useful in
downloading maps and charts to a Garmin handheld GPS or building custom
microSD chips for the GPS.

Cap'n Ric
S/V Sezaneh
2003 Beneteau 473

"OrvilNewton" wrote in message
ups.com...
I know that this has been discussed before but search results show that
the last time it came up here was a year ago and this stuff changes
pretty rapidly.

The last I used was DOS based so I haven't a clue what's out there now.
Thought I'd farm the wisdom of the group. I'll be running it on a
Dell Latitude D800.

Thanks

Chuck
http://americanvega.org

"OrvilNewton" wrote in
ups.com:

Dell Latitude D800.


We run "The Cap'n" on a Dell Latitude aboard "Lionheart". It's processing
data from B&G Network instruments, Raymarine Smart Heading Sensor/Compass
sensor/RL70CRC display, B&G's Yeoman paper chart plotter I mounted under
the chart table top for paper chart backup, B&G Network Pilot autopilot, a
Garmin GPSMAP 185S (backup GPS/charting sounder/chartplotter). I'm waiting
for the captain to bring the NAV computer back to the boat for installation
of an upgrade to read the AIS data from a new AIS receiver, and Noland's
newest multiplexer. The new Cap'n software upgrade is supposed to add the
AIS targets to its charts.

CG uses Cap'n as does many shipping companies. It works fine and doesn't
crash the Dell notebook. I'm even running it through a wireless Ethernet
router and serial-to-Ethernet Webfoot adapter to cut the wires hampering
its location. I can lay on a beanbag under the genoa and drive Lionheart
from the wireless laptop on the bow while the winch slaves back in the
cockpit are coming about...(c; Webfoot comes with "virtual serial port"
software that fools Cap'n into thinking it's connecting to the NMEA via RS-
232. The VSP handles the Ethernet routing for it.

I've used Nobeltec VNS for a long time and really like it, but I can't
recommend it any longer because of their constant upgrade policy. Just
like Windoz, they come out with a new version maybe every 18 months or
so, and pretty much force you to upgrade, dropping support for older
versions as they go. The final insult was when they went to DVD only
for upgrades and charts... my navigation computer doesn't have a DVD
and I don't plan to add one.

I've heard nothing but good about Cap'n, and Rosepoint's new product
seems very well built as well: http://www.rosepointnav.com/default.htm
If I were starting over today, I'd probably go with Rosepoint.

On Sat, 23 Dec 2006 07:45:47 -0800, Keith wrote:

If I were
starting over today, I'd probably go with Rosepoint.

pity...Winblows only

I've been in the computer and software industry for 25 years, working as
system programmer and device support and then architecture. I've seen so
much computer failures from 8086 to 80x86 to Pentium 4 and through VAX, IBM,
HP, and name it. Hundreds of crashes not necessarily depending on the
operating system but can be the power supply, the memory, the hard disk,
the ASIC for keyboard name it. Please do not rely on a computer unless you
have 2 on board. Navigation is not like playing solitaire at home, Murphy
is always there.

Of course my boat is equiped my a computer but i would *never* rely on it.
I'm using Fugawi ENC on a toshiba laptop that drives a 15 inches LCD screen
on 12v (Proview). The Fugawi is doing great while providing interface to
the Nasa AIS receiver which displays the trafic in realtime. This computer
is driven by a 100 $ GPS WAAS USB antenna. (SIRF chip based) Then i have a
completely autonomous Garmin 182C connected to the ICOM-602 which is a
classD DSC receiver-transmiter. If an emergency call comm on DSC, the
Garmin pop up the caller directly on the map and i just have to "GOTO" it to
have my route.

And the third backpu, a Pharos PocketPC and GPS in a box, portable and
autonomous. With land map and sea map on board. Ready to go in a minute.

I usually build my route at home, then export it on a USB key and import it
on the PC on the boat, then from the PC to the Garmin. So i have both
routes on the screen.

I don't think there is a software that support DSC yet or maybe one but i
don't remember the name.

André


"OrvilNewton" wrote in message
ups.com...
I know that this has been discussed before but search results show that
the last time it came up here was a year ago and this stuff changes
pretty rapidly.

The last I used was DOS based so I haven't a clue what's out there now.
Thought I'd farm the wisdom of the group. I'll be running it on a
Dell Latitude D800.

Thanks

Chuck
http://americanvega.org

I thought the Cap'n had been bought out and retired?

I purchased the trial version and never used it except for a quick look. I
still have the tide program running on my computer since it didn't expire
with the trial. Very nice. However, I scheduled a whole trip segment around
hitting the notorious Hell Gate between Bath and the Sheepscot River at
slack tide. The channel is narrow and current runs 4 - 6 knots at times with
a visible drop of a few feet. Quite the spot for a deep draft sail boat.

We arrived right on schedule to find the current running hard enough that we
were making only about a knot over the bottom at full power, 6.5 knots
normally. Fortunately it was against us so navigation was very easy but we
had a long line of powerboats behind us like a RV going up a steep Hill.
Several were hoonking and hooting to pass in a channel narrow enough that
there is no way the boats wouldn't have sucked together and contacted, even
aside from random current swirls making it very hard to maintain a straight
line. If I'd given an inch, one of those turkeys would have tried it. The
general level of seamanship and courtsy never ceases to amaze me.

I don't hold the inaccurate slack water time against the Cap'n thought. The
currents here are caused by the differential between two large tidal rivers
and I'm sure the overall algorithm of the program would have a hard time
predicting actual current. It was a very windy day and wind driving water
down the rivers could have had a large effect.

Picture he

http://home.maine.rr.com/bmssez/06C8.htm

although this is far from the narrowest part.

--
Roger Long

I recommend you check out Rose Point's Coastal Explorer - download the demo
and try it out. (Windows only :-(

cvj
"OrvilNewton" wrote in message
ups.com...
I know that this has been discussed before but search results show that
the last time it came up here was a year ago and this stuff changes
pretty rapidly.

The last I used was DOS based so I haven't a clue what's out there now.
Thought I'd farm the wisdom of the group. I'll be running it on a
Dell Latitude D800.

Thanks

Chuck
http://americanvega.org

On 23 Dec 2006 07:45:47 -0800, "Keith"
wrote:

The final insult was when they went to DVD only
for upgrades and charts... my navigation computer doesn't have a DVD
and I don't plan to add one.

If you have a home or office computer with a DVD drive, it is very
easy to temporarily network them together via a $6 crossover cable and
their ethernet ports. That will allow you to access the DVD drive
from your navigation computer at almost no cost.

Chuck,

In my interpretation the "best" stands for: the highest quality for a
given amount of money.
Assuming you are not looking for vector-maps, take a look at
http://www.sping.com/seaclear/index.htm
SeaClear offers the basic functionalities, including AIS-support and it
is freeware. It handles various type's of chart-formats and also
handles your own scan's. There is no support or active development. The
author just made his own nav prog cause he couldn't find anyting to his
liking and he donated it to the public domain.

I use it as an addition to paper charts. When see good use of it, I
scan my paper chart and use it in SeaClear cause 1) it shows the
AIS-targets and calculates CPA and TCPA (but maybe traffic isn't as
busy in your area as here at the dutch coast) and 2) it enables me to
enter waypoints and routes and follow them. There is even an
autopilot-support but I haven't used that myself. Also the simple
installation is an advantage IMO (you don't install it, just run it
from it's own subdirectory). It works fine. Never had a freeze or
anything unexpected.

Another well known program is Oziexplorer. It is more sophisticated
than SeaClear and is very affordable. Last time I looked it was usd
85.00 and upgrades are without charge. I particularly like the very
well designed anchor alarm.
The author just announced an upgrade including AIS-support.When the
AIS-version is released I will likely switch from SeaClear to
Oziexplorer.
http://www.oziexplorer.com/
You can download a demo and get an impression.
Other than SeaClear Oziexplorer is supported fi by a yahoo group with
over 6000 members:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OziUsers-L/

Fair winds,
Len.