PC Navigation Software

JABS · 04 October 2010, 14:55

Can anyone suggest a good and inexpensive program to plan journeys and set up waypoints to use with Navionics and with Raymarine?

The Ray program is several hundred pounds and I don't want to spend that much.

Thanks.

C2 RIBS · 04 October 2010, 14:59

Tony, pm RRIBs as I think he picked up a good deal at the show and might point you the right way- Ian

JABS · 04 October 2010, 15:08

Thanks Ian,

Will do.

martini · 04 October 2010, 16:16

I've got the Navionics Navplanner which is surplus to requirements. But before I could say make me an offer I'll have to check I can find the disc and have still got the code number etc to install it again elsewhere.

Can't believe its so expensive and you'll still need to either buy another map card or keep nicking the one off the boat

ps Ive got a Navionics map for sale here

willk · 04 October 2010, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

Can anyone suggest a good and inexpensive program to plan journeys and set up waypoints to use with Navionics and with Raymarine?

The Ray program is several hundred pounds and I don't want to spend that much.

Thanks.

Have you tried the free Ray version - the download RayTech Navigator. I use it in preference to the Navionics software (which I have too), I find it saves files that the plotters like.

Sorry Martini, if I've spoiled a sale...

martini · 04 October 2010, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Sorry Martini, if I've spoiled a sale...

Glad I didn't pay for a trade membership

willk · 04 October 2010, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Glad I didn't pay for a trade membership

Trade Membership! I would have thought that there were enough with small arms on here already...

Anyway, I'm a bit sorry, kinda :-)

Pikey Dave · 04 October 2010, 19:37

I've got Rayplanner & the Navionics. I bought the Navionics because the Raymarine software is a dog, imho. Forever crashing. The Navionics can save in raymarine format. As previously mentioned the rayplanner is available for a free download.

Brian · 05 October 2010, 20:03

I'm with PD on this. Good-ish stuff. Rather limited but will do routing, saving of routes in the correct format, tide tables etc.
Wont look at your Pilot book.
Wont look at your photos of various ports.
Wont load more than 1 chart area at a time (UK and Irish water are split into 6 areas). You have to reloas a diferent chart if you are searching over an area or planning a route out-of-area.
When working with Vista, you need to disconnect the card reader from the PC before switching it on. Otherwise it wont switch on at all!!
And probably lots more it wont do as well. But it serves my purpose.

But you do need a card reader. I happen to have a spare.............

JABS · 05 October 2010, 20:51

Why are you all trying to sell me something??

Just kidding. Open to offers!

willk · 05 October 2010, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

Why are you all trying to sell me something??

Not me, I was trying to save you a few quid.

Pikey Dave · 05 October 2010, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

I'm with PD on this. Good-ish stuff. Rather limited but will do routing, saving of routes in the correct format, tide tables etc.
Wont look at your Pilot book.
Wont look at your photos of various ports.
Wont load more than 1 chart area at a time (UK and Irish water are split into 6 areas). You have to reloas a diferent chart if you are searching over an area or planning a route out-of-area.
When working with Vista, you need to disconnect the card reader from the PC before switching it on. Otherwise it wont switch on at all!!
And probably lots more it wont do as well. But it serves my purpose.

But you do need a card reader. I happen to have a spare.............

beware, the card reader serial number is tied to the software serial. one won't work without the other

Brian · 06 October 2010, 09:42

'Fraid not, PD.
I have just put the same card into 2 diferently numbered card readers and they both work.
(You are just trying to spoil my "sales" pitch, arent you?).
Maybe they shouldnt work but they do.
PS I am using the free version of the software.

BTW Although I have a spare card reader, I dont have a spare cable for it.

Pikey Dave · 06 October 2010, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

'Fraid not, PD.
I have just put the same card into 2 diferently numbered card readers and they both work.
(You are just trying to spoil my "sales" pitch, arent you?).
Maybe they shouldnt work but they do.
PS I am using the free version of the software.

BTW Although I have a spare card reader, I dont have a spare cable for it.

Hmmm! Are we talking Navionics? I bought the card reader when I bought my Raymarine kit so I could read my chart cards with Rayplanner. Then I bought the Navionics software, but had to give them the card reader serial number for them to tie it to the software, so I dunno

It's not the chart card that's tied it's the reader.

PS I'm not trying to spoil your pitch, honest

JABS · 06 October 2010, 13:19

Did you use the free version of Rayplanner?

I tried it, but couldn't get on with it at all!

The full blown version might be OK, but way too expensive!

Pikey Dave · 06 October 2010, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

Did you use the free version of Rayplanner?

I tried it, but couldn't get on with it at all!

The full blown version might be OK, but way too expensive!

I've used both, trust me the £600+ full version is worse than the free version
(i'm glad I didn't, ahemm pay for it or I would have been spitting feathers)