On 9 Mar 2008 14:14:02 -0500, Dave wrote:

If you're looking to build an effective system without spending a lot of
money, you might consider a system like the one I have. It's a low end
Garmin unit connected via the serial port to an ancient laptop running
SeaClear software. The software allows you to use the practically unlimited
library of charts from NOAA that can be downloaded from their website. Gives
a very nice display of your vessel position on the electronic chart, with
course, SOG, etc., and the charts load automatically as you come to the edge
of the one you're using.

Are you using the raster or vector charts? I was under the
impression, perhaps incorrect, that SeaClear was vector only. My
personal preference on a laptop is for the raster charts.

OziExplorer is available is for $95 and supports *many* different map
formats.

http://www.oziexplorer.com/

On Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:43:51 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On 9 Mar 2008 14:14:02 -0500, Dave wrote:

If you're looking to build an effective system without spending a lot of
money, you might consider a system like the one I have. It's a low end
Garmin unit connected via the serial port to an ancient laptop running
SeaClear software. The software allows you to use the practically unlimited
library of charts from NOAA that can be downloaded from their website. Gives
a very nice display of your vessel position on the electronic chart, with
course, SOG, etc., and the charts load automatically as you come to the edge
of the one you're using.

Are you using the raster or vector charts? I was under the
impression, perhaps incorrect, that SeaClear was vector only. My
personal preference on a laptop is for the raster charts.

No - SeaClear uses the common BSB raster charts, as does Ozi.

OziExplorer is available is for $95 and supports *many* different map
formats.

http://www.oziexplorer.com/

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

On 9 Mar 2008 16:03:01 -0500, Dave wrote:

I can't get too excited about such things. I download the .bsb and .kap
files from noaa, and on the screen the charts on SeaClear look just like the
paper charts.

The bsb/kap charts are raster format, i.e., look just like the paper
charts.

On 9 Mar 2008 14:14:02 -0500, Dave wrote:

On Sat, 8 Mar 2008 15:16:16 -0800 (PST), Cate said:

I would like some advice on what type of GPS Handheld to buy for
navigational use for my sailboat.

If you're looking to build an effective system without spending a lot of
money, you might consider a system like the one I have. It's a low end
Garmin unit connected via the serial port to an ancient laptop running
SeaClear software. The software allows you to use the practically unlimited
library of charts from NOAA that can be downloaded from their website. Gives
a very nice display of your vessel position on the electronic chart, with
course, SOG, etc., and the charts load automatically as you come to the edge
of the one you're using.

Doesn't work! Couldn't find a single NOAA chart listed for the Bay of
Thailand or the West coast of Thailand, Burmese Border to Malaysia.

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

On 10 Mar 2008 09:52:05 -0500, Dave wrote:

On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:12:17 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
said:

Doesn't work! Couldn't find a single NOAA chart listed for the Bay of
Thailand or the West coast of Thailand, Burmese Border to Malaysia.

Guess you're out in the cold, Bruce. But he did say he intended to sail in
Block Island Sound, Long Island Sound and up the Hudson. Plenty of charts
for those areas.

The guy that posted about using the NOAA files just said hook up the
GPS and download NOAA charts. I probably should have added a smiley to
my comment as I was just pointing out that his answer wasn't correct
everywhere...

I do use the GPS - computer hookup with Cmap files though and find
the large screen much more useful then a chart plotter's small screen.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)