Step-by-Step - for Dummies . . .

[Jimbo2010]

I'm cruising in the North East, Long Island NY to Maine.

I read thru a lot of stuff in this thread but don't know where to start to get this going.

Here's what I have
Furuno Gps
Nobeltec on a laptop.

I was going to the boat show">Annapolis boat show to buy

A radar with plotter and buy the C-maps.

Can someone help get this mapping software setup step by step or lead me in the right direction.



.

[Jimbo2010]

If I download charts do I need to buy the C-maps?

Are the downloads similar in quality or the same?

I just went to their website that helped.

But there are many to download any suggestions for this area

[dacust]

Whose website did you go to?

You will not be able to use the same maps in Nobeltec and on the chartplotter.

You will not be able to use any downloaded maps on the chartplotter.

You CAN use free downloaded RNC (raster) maps from the US or other free or paid for raster maps (BSB only) in Nobeltec DEPENDING on the version of Nobeltec you have. You cannot, as of now, use the home-scanned charts in Nobeltec.

I could be wrong on the first two, but I am not aware of ANY chartplotter that uses C-Map that will handle charts from any other source other than the C-Map chips. Could be wrong...

If you use OpenCPN instead of (or in addition to) Nobeltec, you can use all the BSB raster charts Nobeltec can use, + all the ENC vector charts you can find. Many are free, even more cost. It will also support CM93 charts, which are easy to find for download if you look around. Legality of the CM93s is iffy at best.

(A list of the legally free raster and vector I am aware of can be found in the second link in my signature. Well, except for a couple of recent links I've been to lazy to add.)

I love Nobeltec. A lot. But it's just so expensive and the charts are expensive, as well. So next time I do a trip, while I'll have Nobeltec running, my main software will be OpenCPN. Along with a cheap mapless Garmin plotter and paper charts as backup. And two battery powered GPSs. And the sextant. And...

-dan

[Jimbo2010]

Originally Posted by dacust

Whose website did you go to?

OpenCPN.org

You will not be able to use any downloaded maps on the chartplotter.

oh.....

If you use OpenCPN instead of (or in addition to) Nobeltec, you can use all the BSB raster charts Nobeltec can use, + all the ENC vector charts you can find. Many are free, even more cost. It will also support CM93 charts, which are easy to find for download if you look around.

I love Nobeltec. A lot. But it's just so expensive and the charts are expensive, as well. So next time I do a trip, while I'll have Nobeltec running, my main software will be OpenCPN. Along with a cheap mapless Garmin plotter and paper charts as backup. And two battery powered GPSs.

so what am i gaining here?
Am I missing something?


Jim

[dacust]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

OpenCPN.org

oh.....

so what am i gaining here?
Am I missing something?

Jim

In my mind, I can never have too many navigation programs, and definitely can never have too many charts. Especially when they are free.

So, download OpenCPN and then download charts for your area and see if you like it. If you are like me, you may find that even though Nobeltec is much nicer, for the price I actually like OpenCPN better.

For New York, go to the NOAA site and download the ENC (vector) charts. You can pick just your area, but there is a link to download the entire US. And since they are vector charts, they don't take much disk space.

Then you can go to the USACE site and download the ENC vector charts for the US inland rivers.

You can also download the RNC (BSB raster) charts for the US for a different look, and especially if you just like the look of paper charts. They will take quite a bit more disk space. You can also download these all in one batch.

Go to the "Free Electronic Navigation Charts!" link in my signature and look for the section in the pic below for the links and instructions to download them. All the ones I mention above are in that one section. These are the same charts you'll find links for on the OpenCPN page.

-dan

[Jimbo2010]

Dan thanks a bunch, now I'm understanding it.

[Jimbo2010]

Dan I downloaded as you recommended, I see the charts, currents & tides

but no depth?

Any ideas?

[dacust]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

Dan I downloaded as you recommended, I see the charts, currents & tides

but no depth?

Any ideas?

Read through the manual on the wiki at opencpn.org

If you are not seeing depths, I am guessing you are looking at the ENC Vector Charts.

Go to the tool box, the "Vector Charts" tab.

Under "Display Category" Choose Mariners Standard.
Right below that, make sure "Show Soundings" is checked.
Then to the left, click the "Select All" button

I haven't played around with these options much, so you should probably read the manual. And if you still have questions, ask again and someone else in here can help if I don't know the answer.

-dan