What are the most relevant software's I should install?

[Izikalvo]

in your opinion what softwares i should install on my boat dedicated laptop?
to be used on and off line.
also what is the best and most economic solution today for satellite communication?

thank you

[Pizzazz]

If I may suggest, change the laptop for a tablet. In my experience they are significantly better than a laptop: less power draw, better apps, easier to hold. In terms of apps:

1. Acrobat Reader - Easy access to your manuals and reference info.

2. Navigation - Navionics or a chart plotter specific app like Garmin Helm. I also like MX Mariner for raster charts.

3. Weather+routing, I use Predictwind.

4. HF weather fax if you are into shortwave. Also navtex app.

5. Earthmate if you like two way satellite messaging with Iridium.

All of the above I use frequently. There is a Windows app for SSB email called Airmail. I wish they made an Android version.

[msponer]

Hi,
On our Mac's, we use:

• OpenCPN for Navigation, with the Climatology plugin for pilot charts
• ZyGrib for viewing GRIB files. We also use OpenCPN to view GRIB files, but sometimes we want to see the extra data fields that ZyGrib shows: like multiple wave directions, periods, and heights.
• UUPlus for satellite email compression on an Iridium phone through a USB cable. I've tried to help other cruisers setup and use XGate, but found it fiddly and complicated because there's an extra software layer in the connection (where you must configure the OS to use the Iridium as a Modem, then firewall everything except the email). In the end I've given up and gotten them up and running with UUPlus in a few minutes.

[jackdale]

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[exkma367]

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