I had posted on this board some time back how Notsonobletec was
putting the screws to us boaters buy making their own software
obsolete and expensive and forcing anyone using their stuff to have to
spend more and more money. The solution is simple. Stop using their
software. There is lots of good stuff out there that will not put you
through so much and works great. This approach is the only thing these
kind of companies understand. We pay enough for anything connected to
a boat.




"spdevel" wrote in message ...
Try http://www.softcharts.com/ . You can buy compatible charts there in
preconfigured collections or roll your own. You can also
purchase/download a
single chart to be sure their current format is compatible with your
version
4.1. I have VNS 6.5 and won't be buying any more charts from either
Maptech or
Nobeltec.


Yuck. Awful stuff. Thanks but I'd rather have the real NOAA maps from
NOAA's partner (Maptech). I called Nobeltec and they will be supporting the
BSB v4.0 CD's - you just need to know the right person to ask. There are
plenty of other applications that support the new CD's too.

Try http://www.softcharts.com/ . You can buy compatible charts there in
preconfigured collections or roll your own. You can also
purchase/download a
single chart to be sure their current format is compatible with your
version
4.1. I have VNS 6.5 and won't be buying any more charts from either
Maptech or
Nobeltec.


Yuck. Awful stuff. Thanks but I'd rather have the real NOAA maps from
NOAA's partner (Maptech). I called Nobeltec and they will be supporting the
BSB v4.0 CD's - you just need to know the right person to ask. There are
plenty of other applications that support the new CD's too.

"Ray D" rayd at gis.net wrote:

As of 2004, Maptech is only delivering BSB4 formated charts on CD's for most
of the popular regions. The charts are encrypted, require registration, and
not supported on older versions of Nobeltec's Navigation Suite software. I
ordered Region 6 and can't use it on my Nobeltec Version 4.1 software.
There are still some Maptech rev 3 chartkits in some dealers' stock. Does
anyone know if BSB rev 3 is supported on my navigation s/w? I hate to spend
the $399 for a s/w upgrade.

Thanks
Ray

Try http://www.softcharts.com/ . You can buy compatible charts there in
preconfigured collections or roll your own. You can also purchase/download a
single chart to be sure their current format is compatible with your version
4.1. I have VNS 6.5 and won't be buying any more charts from either Maptech or
Nobeltec.

Be aware that a number of Maptech products, including their online server,
CANNOT be used for navigation purposes. Im not quite sure just what one would
do with these non-navigational products, but perhaps they are suitable for
wrapping fish...

Maptech tends hide their disclaimer about what their products may be used for,
or what they are not useful for. Pretty sleazy way to do business.

On 15 Jan 2004 20:02:06 GMT, (Baybyter) wrote:

Be aware that a number of Maptech products, including their online server,
CANNOT be used for navigation purposes. Im not quite sure just what one would
do with these non-navigational products, but perhaps they are suitable for
wrapping fish...

Maptech tends hide their disclaimer about what their products may be used for,
or what they are not useful for. Pretty sleazy way to do business.

The disclaimer was easy to find.

I expect that this is the same type of disclaimer found in cruising
guides. Each chart and chartlet has a "not for navigation"
disclaimer.

If they are not for navigation, what are they for?

In a litigious world, this is standard fare.

There are legal requirements in Canada, and I expect other countries
as well, to carry the most recent editions of charts, updated by
Notices to Mariners. There are some exemptions.

Paper charts can be updated more easily that electronic charts.

This probably placed on the site on the advice of lawyers to limit
liability.

Jack

The disclaimer was easy to find. BRBR

Disclaimer was buried on page 30 of the Embassy Guide. Ought to be on the
front cover....

The disclaimer was easy to find. BRBR

Disclaimer was buried on page 30 of the Embassy Guide. Ought to be on the
front cover....

On 15 Jan 2004 20:02:06 GMT, (Baybyter) wrote:

Be aware that a number of Maptech products, including their online server,
CANNOT be used for navigation purposes. Im not quite sure just what one would
do with these non-navigational products, but perhaps they are suitable for
wrapping fish...

Maptech tends hide their disclaimer about what their products may be used for,
or what they are not useful for. Pretty sleazy way to do business.

The disclaimer was easy to find.

I expect that this is the same type of disclaimer found in cruising
guides. Each chart and chartlet has a "not for navigation"
disclaimer.

If they are not for navigation, what are they for?

In a litigious world, this is standard fare.

There are legal requirements in Canada, and I expect other countries
as well, to carry the most recent editions of charts, updated by
Notices to Mariners. There are some exemptions.

Paper charts can be updated more easily that electronic charts.

This probably placed on the site on the advice of lawyers to limit
liability.

Jack

Be aware that a number of Maptech products, including their online server,
CANNOT be used for navigation purposes.

Woah Nelly! I downloaded Maptech's Outdoor Navigator demo and got on the
server to download many charts. There was nothing warning me that they
CANNOT be used for navigation. There was a warning that told me it should
not be used as the sole source of navigation information. Of course you
shouldn't rely on any one thing.

Maptech has an exclusive agreement with NOAA. They are the only ones who
get the masters from NOAA. No one else does this. Everyone else just
rescans hardcopy charts. There is a large difference in quality. I've
tried them all and I wouldn't trust my boat to anything other than Maptech
charts.

If you like SoftCharts....by all means, use them. I just hope that our
paths never cross 'cause you're gonna be off course!

"spdevel" wrote:

Be aware that a number of Maptech products, including their online server,
CANNOT be used for navigation purposes.

Woah Nelly! I downloaded Maptech's Outdoor Navigator demo and got on the
server to download many charts. There was nothing warning me that they
CANNOT be used for navigation. There was a warning that told me it should
not be used as the sole source of navigation information. Of course you
shouldn't rely on any one thing.

Maptech has an exclusive agreement with NOAA. They are the only ones who
get the masters from NOAA. No one else does this. Everyone else just
rescans hardcopy charts. There is a large difference in quality. I've
tried them all and I wouldn't trust my boat to anything other than Maptech
charts.

If you like SoftCharts....by all means, use them. I just hope that our
paths never cross 'cause you're gonna be off course!

Because of the exclusive partnership between Maptech and NOAA for BSB chart
material (access to the vellums or raw NOAA data), Maptech digital charts are
certified for Navigation by NOAA as stated on their website. Scanning the paper
charts also produces excellent digital charts, as shown by Softcharts (and
others) I have, in fact, compared Softcharts and BSB charts side by side in VNS
and have been unable to see any real differences. They use the same photo
charts, BTW, so it is easy to compare positions of landmarks/seamarks.
Certainly you are free to believe Maptech is somehow significantly superior
(just read their ads!), but Softcharts is certainly competent to scan charts and
produce accurate digital files from them-their customer base and comments say
that is true, and comparison of individual charts supports it. Softcharts
provides accurate charts, excellent customer service and reasonable individual
chart prices in spite of Maptech propaganda. I don't see a "not for navigation"
disclaimer on Softcharts either-their site says they are "especially enhanced
for marine navigational use." Maptech has made a business decision to
incorporate format changes and registration processes which cause compatibility
and mobility issues, and many of their customers and partners are resisting.
Softcharts is one well-established alternative.