enc viewing software

[Tigerlily]

I am interested in getting this software so I can plan out a long trip without buying paper charts. Could you reccomend a company who you think makes the simplest, easiest to use chart viewing software? I don't want to spend too much on this software, I just want the basics.

[jemsea]

Fugawi has a free demo that will let you look at three at a time.

http://www.fugawi.com/


John

[Pblais]

Actually I think they discontinued the free viewer, but the Marine ENC product is a free 10 day trial version. You can use it 10 days and have full access. If you buy it you just add the unlock coide then you also get access to a lot of other data tha comes with it.

Personally, just a viewer isn't all that usefull. It's nice to be able to plot a route and save it. The veiwer won't do that. A GPS input is also nice and genrally easy to set up as well.

You can get free raster viewers and the raster charts are also free from NOAA.

[jemsea]

Here is the link to the free demo. It is good for ten days.

http://www.fugawi.com/demo/version4.html



Regards,

John

[Pblais]

It's easy to get confused. Global Navigator does NOT include ENC support but the Marine enc version 4 does plus it does all that Global Navigator does.

I just checked to day and the viewer is no longer free but $19. I bought it a long time ago when it was free with $9 shipping. It gives you an idea of how Fuhawi looks but you can't do much with it.

I own the Marine ENC version and like it quite a bit. The cheaper Global Navigator will handle raster charts BUT the free NOAA raster charts will not auto switch between themselves as you can with the Maptech charts you still have to pay for.

The new 3D feature does not include bathymertric displays. It will display 3 D on the land but not sub surface on the water. It also takes a fast computer to run 3D. I've not found it usefull on the water but it is fun at home.

[mario f]

I was also curious about these ENC free charts. I am using CARIS EASY ENC. This is a free viewer, simple no frills.
CARIS.COM

From what I understand these are like the paper charts, but I get no soundings, buoy #s. Can these be printed?
So I don't know if it is a function of the viewer or I am doing something wrong.

Anyone willing to expand on this?

[windthief]

These people have a great program that I've been using for about a year now. It's not all inclusive though you have to buy the c-map max or NT charts for the areas you want to cruise in. It includes tide info and services in the areas your covered for.

[Jenia]

The best ENC viewer i could find was Navpak Pro. a demo is at Global Navigation Software Company
You can also get free world wide C-Map coverage at the same place.
jenia.