Need affordable charts...

[Axel]

... for Carribean and Eastern US.
My CM93 set doesn't load. Probably not /2 since old - <2003

[denverd0n]

Free charts here that will work with OpenCPN for the eastern US.

Nautical Charts & Pubs

[LH44 Anne]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Free charts here that will work with OpenCPN for the eastern US.

Nautical Charts & Pubs

These above also cover Puerto Rico, the Spanish Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There is partial overlap of the BVI and some coverage of the western portions (closest to the U.S. mainland) of the Bahamas.

For more complete coverage of the rest of the eastern Caribbean and Bahamas, I don't know of free charts. The NV charts give a lot of coverage for the price, but some are getting a bit dated and IMHO overdue for updates. NV. Charts

The best paper charts in the Bahamas are the Explorer Charts, which in digital form are only available IIRC on Jeppeson or Garmin chips. These guys seem to have a tempestuous relationship with the Explorer folks, so my information may be out of date. Check carefully in current sources.

[bcn]

Another possibilty are of course the S-63 charts.
These are not for free.
If you just pick the charts you will need and go for a 3 months licencing period (the charts are still there, but no more updates) those can be an alternative - even from a cost perspective.

bcn

[accomplice]

It may also depend on how you wish to use the charts. I carry paper charts, have charts in my chart-plotter, have NV charts -- both paper and electronic, etc. But perhaps the least expensive charts I have bought have been the charts that come with the Navionics smart-phone app. It is something like $15 for Carribbean and S. America. There's a new HD version out that is more, but I haven't tried that yet (has anyone?)

[barnakiel]

NV charts were free when I downloaded.

b.

[accomplice]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

NV charts were free when I downloaded.

b.

When/where did you download them for free?

I've found the electronic is free if you buy the paper....

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by accomplice

When/where did you download them for free?

I've found the electronic is free if you buy the paper....

Google Play.

I downloaded about one year ago.

b.

[DefinitelyMe]

For paper charts this is the best website I have found:

https://tidesend.com/

They print the US survey charts. Since the charts themselves are free, you're only paying for the printing and they can do it in black and white (cheaper). The paper quality is not as good as an admiralty chart but it is good. I'm very happy with mine.

For electronic charts of the States look here:

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/

They are free

[accomplice]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Google Play.

I downloaded about one year ago.

b.

I just downloaded the app. It came with a base worldwide chart which provided no useful detail. I found that to vuew any of the useful chart data I needed to enter the Product ID from a paper chart I had purchased. And then, it only gave me access to that chart region. Is your experience different?

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by accomplice

I just downloaded the app. It came with a base worldwide chart which provided no useful detail. I found that to vuew any of the useful chart data I needed to enter the Product ID from a paper chart I had purchased. And then, it only gave me access to that chart region. Is your experience different?

I downloaded the App and it gave me access to the Regions. I downloaded three West Indies Regions (Trinidad thru Virgins or thereabouts). I believe they were marked 12.x or alike.

I remember there were also Bahamas and I think things all the way to US coast.

I used the charts between Martinique and Barbuda and they were as good as one gets. I used their paper charts before (and, alongside, this time). I like both. The App was not perfect though. I know now there is a newer version available in the Play shop.

You can have only one Region active at a time. But switching between the Regions is an issue of just clicking the chosen one.

If I were to buy, I would. But it was not necessary in our case.

b.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Axel

... for Carribean and Eastern US.
My CM93 set doesn't load. Probably not /2 since old - <2003

Whats your definition of affordable?

Navionics for the Carib for my Tablet was only $55.

[accomplice]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I downloaded the App and it gave me access to the Regions. I downloaded three West Indies Regions (Trinidad thru Virgins or thereabouts). I believe they were marked 12.x or alike.

I remember there were also Bahamas and I think things all the way to US coast.

I used the charts between Martinique and Barbuda and they were as good as one gets. I used their paper charts before (and, alongside, this time). I like both. The App was not perfect though. I know now there is a newer version available in the Play shop.

You can have only one Region active at a time. But switching between the Regions is an issue of just clicking the chosen one.

If I were to buy, I would. But it was not necessary in our case.

b.

Thanks. They must've changed the app. Now, to add charts to the available, one has to either buy a chart kit through the app, or add the serial # of the purchased kit.

Either that, or I'm doing it wrong...

[accomplice]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Whats your definition of affordable?

Navionics for the Carib for my Tablet was only $55.

I mentioned Navionics too (I only paid $15 for mine . What is your though on using, "for reference only" charts for navigation purposes. Is it just legal disclaimer? Do you have a leg to stand on in the event of an incident?

[bcn]

The only systems (= electronical charts+plotter) that can be used as sole media for navigation are homologated ECDIS systems.
The national bodies that are establishing the rules for Non-SOLAS vessels are discussing how/if/when electronic charting system might substitute paper charts. But this is a long way to go. Denmark is playing with it afaik.

That's why you will find always the disclaimers for the systems we are using - OpenCPN included.

Hubert