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On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 08:46:21 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote: Wayne.B wrote: On 30 Aug 2004 22:18:03 -0700, (Rex Jones) wrote: Anyone interested in NOAA charts.. I have available high resolution full color digital charts ( on CD's) for just about all US waters and possessions. Issue dates are from mid 80's to 2000. These charts are calibrated for use with the included real-time navigation software that shows position, speed, direction etc. similar to Maptech or Nobeltec navigation programs. For more information check out my website at http://americanchart.com Also included are other free navigation aids and programs, GPS positions, navigation info and other utilities. =========================================== If the quality of your business is no better than the website, don't quit your day job. Wayne - Are you doing anything with digital charts? I've gotten weary of the small GPS chartplotters (I have a Standard Horizon 170 on Yo Ho), and think the larger ones are grossly overpriced, considering they basically are single-purpose devices, and even the $2500 units have relatively small screens. My tiny block of Garmin stock doesn't earn me much of a discount! So, once again, I am considering switching over to a PC-software based chartplotter. I've messed around using my laptop on Yo Ho, but the keyboards on these devices don't react well to moisture. So I am thinking of picking up one of the small footprint PC boxes, either 12V or run off a converter, and installing a 15" LCD screen in the cabin and a waterproof keyboard on top of the "dashboard." I've been using Cap'n Mariner; do you have experience with any of the other suites? Interestingly, ALL the hardware one needs for such an installation is half the price of a $2500 dedicated chartplotter, plus you get a much larger screen, a real keyboard and the ability to perform the usual computer functions. Any advice? Actually, I can address this. The problem with computer based operations on a boat, even one like your Parker, is shock mounting the computer. It's almost impossible to do correctly on a small boat with a store bought computer. I've seen some gimbal type shock mounts, but on anything less than 40 feet, they are useless. I tried to use one on my Contender and gave up. I couldn't get the computer to stay up long enough to do any good unless the water was like glass and even then, the vibrations from the outboards would cause it to go berzerk evey once in a while. Even remote mounting the computer in a box with pads everywhere didn't help. There's a bunch of marie laptops out there, but from the reviews I've read (and that is by no means complete), this type of application for laptops is not the greatest in the marine environment. I went with the dedicated chartplotter - it does what it's supposed to do. Take care. Tom "The beatings will stop when morale improves." E. Teach, 1717 |
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