Any chance?

It looks like no utility out there can write BSB/KAP files. Many can read.

Annoying.

I have some wonderful paper marine charts and could make a perfect raster
scan (TIFF) out of them. Then would need a calibrating utility (a là
OziExplorer) that can output to BSB format, once datum, mag. dev, etc is
entered.

Atlas wrote:
Any chance?

It looks like no utility out there can write BSB/KAP files. Many can
read.

Annoying.

I have some wonderful paper marine charts and could make a perfect
raster scan (TIFF) out of them. Then would need a calibrating utility
(a là OziExplorer) that can output to BSB format, once datum, mag.
dev, etc is entered.

If you are saying you prefer Maptech to Oziexplorer, you must be nuts!

Dennis.

Maybe Oziexplorer staff have been on a boat.. Maptech staff don't even
know how to spell baot...

Hanz


Dennis Pogson wrote:
Atlas wrote:

Any chance?

It looks like no utility out there can write BSB/KAP files. Many can
read.

Annoying.

I have some wonderful paper marine charts and could make a perfect
raster scan (TIFF) out of them. Then would need a calibrating utility
(a là OziExplorer) that can output to BSB format, once datum, mag.
dev, etc is entered.


If you are saying you prefer Maptech to Oziexplorer, you must be nuts!

Dennis.

If you are saying you prefer Maptech to Oziexplorer, you must be nuts!

Dennis.



You didn't answer to my question, but...... yes.

I like Maptech Chart Navigator Pro better:
- AWESOME, clean, neat and compliant user interface. Ozi's a mess of
buttons, ugly, developed with prehistoric devtool.... Delphi?
- AWESOME "cruise mode"; it looks like proper on board marine chart plotter
- Intuitive. Can't say the same with Ozi. To understand how Ozi works I had
to go through the manual. Never done such a thing with Chart Navigator Pro
- Use mouse wheel and +/- keys to zoom. Ozi uses page/down/up...... CRAP!
- Automatically change maps at smaller/larger scales. Don't know if Ozi can
do that.....
- Perfectly usable routes/waypoints data/lists

For me that's fair enough, that's what I need from a marine navigation
software......

The only BIG regret about Maptech, is it's inability to import raster maps
and calibrate. Ozi does. But can't save in BSB format.

Now you go explaining why you prefer Ozi

Atlas wrote:
If you are saying you prefer Maptech to Oziexplorer, you must be
nuts!

Dennis.



You didn't answer to my question, but...... yes.

I like Maptech Chart Navigator Pro better:
- AWESOME, clean, neat and compliant user interface. Ozi's a mess of
buttons, ugly, developed with prehistoric devtool.... Delphi?
- AWESOME "cruise mode"; it looks like proper on board marine chart
plotter
- Intuitive. Can't say the same with Ozi. To understand how Ozi works
I had to go through the manual. Never done such a thing with Chart
Navigator Pro
- Use mouse wheel and +/- keys to zoom. Ozi uses page/down/up......
CRAP!
- Automatically change maps at smaller/larger scales. Don't know if
Ozi can do that.....
- Perfectly usable routes/waypoints data/lists

For me that's fair enough, that's what I need from a marine navigation
software......

The only BIG regret about Maptech, is it's inability to import raster
maps and calibrate. Ozi does. But can't save in BSB format.

Now you go explaining why you prefer Ozi

As with all software, one tends to stick to the allpication one knows best.
I use Ozi partly because I don't want to be dependant on the supplier of the
software for issuing expensive amendments, charging for upgrades etc., etc.

Chart Navigator Pro may well be far better than the basic Maptech Navigator
I am familiar with, but if you have to rely on the application to load only
one type of map/chart, I would find this unduly restrictive.

Granted, it takes a few years' use to get familiar with all the functions in
Ozi, and this does put people off. I've been using it for around 8 years
now, and I still don't know all it is capable of!

Since I have many different charts in several different file formats, this
alone makes Ozi the king for me, but others may disagree.

Also worth a lot is the ability to edit my charts without having to rely on
a third party, create my own symbols, any size, any colour, work with
routes, waypoints, tracks etc., etc.


Dennis.

As with all software, one tends to stick to the allpication one knows
best.
I use Ozi partly because I don't want to be dependant on the supplier of
the
software for issuing expensive amendments, charging for upgrades etc.,
etc.


Partially true, Ozi "full" needs money.......


Chart Navigator Pro may well be far better than the basic Maptech
Navigator

Absolutelly. I remember about an old Offshore navigator version 5.something
that I didn't like much.... Chart Navigator Pro is redesigned from scratch,
and looks super to me, but it's my opinion... You can test it freely.......

Since I have many different charts in several different file formats, this
alone makes Ozi the king for me, but others may disagree.

What formats are you using? Basically I've noticed that BSB/S57 are most
common and maptech supports them both..... yes with Ozi you can go through
the raster/calibration method.

Atlas wrote:
Any chance?

It looks like no utility out there can write BSB/KAP files. Many can read.

Annoying.

I have some wonderful paper marine charts and could make a perfect raster
scan (TIFF) out of them. Then would need a calibrating utility (a là
OziExplorer) that can output to BSB format, once datum, mag. dev, etc is
entered.

Are you talking about charts for U.S. waters? Those are all already
available as free downloads. As are the S-57 Vector charts.

Download and install the trial version of Rosepoint Software's Coastal
Explorer and it will go on line and download all those chart for you:

http://rosepointnav.com/CoastalExplorer/default.htm

Coastal Explorer is packaged with some additional bells and whistles and
sold as Maptech's Chart navigator Pro:

http://www.maptech.com/water/chartNa...rPro/index.cfm

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

"Jack Erbes" wrote in message
...
Atlas wrote:
Any chance?

It looks like no utility out there can write BSB/KAP files. Many can
read.

Annoying.

I have some wonderful paper marine charts and could make a perfect raster
scan (TIFF) out of them. Then would need a calibrating utility (a là
OziExplorer) that can output to BSB format, once datum, mag. dev, etc is
entered.

Are you talking about charts for U.S. waters? Those are all already
available as free downloads. As are the S-57 Vector charts.

No, I'm interested in the mediterranean area.....

Download and install the trial version of Rosepoint Software's Coastal
Explorer and it will go on line and download all those chart for you:

http://rosepointnav.com/CoastalExplorer/default.htm

Coastal Explorer is packaged with some additional bells and whistles and
sold as Maptech's Chart navigator Pro:


Wow........ I had a look at the user interface and...... yes! It is the same
product!!! Betwwen the two, what is the most complete product??

Atlas wrote:
snip
Wow........ I had a look at the user interface and...... yes! It is the same
product!!! Betwwen the two, what is the most complete product??

I've not seen the MapTech version so I can't really compare them.
Reading about it, I noticed that CNP comes with the satellite imagery
and some other things that are not in the CE package.

I loaded CE trial just out of curiosity, I've not purchased it or
navigated with it. The GPS input times out after 15 minutes but
otherwise it can be used indefinitely for route planning and route and
waypoint reviews. I use it to work on the routes I keep on my Garmin
76Cx handheld. It is much more pleasant to use than is the Garmin
MapSource program.

Coastal Explorer is not perfect, in using it I found some minor
annoyances and some features that were maybe not fully developed yet.
But it does have a wonderful user's interface and is quite easy to use.

Too bad about your being in the Med, if you move to America you can get
free charting. :)

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)