Hi all,
We recently moved our boat down to Seabrook(Galveston bay) and I want to find some navigation software for a PC running windows that ties in with active captain. I wanted to see if there were any folks that have anything that they have found useful running with that type of configuration. Active Captain seems to have some really nice information. I have a couple of APP's on my IPAD that use it and it is really niffty to use.
Regards
—
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
Hi Mike,
My favorite nav. software by far is the free app OpenCPN. I remember there was a thread on their forum regarding Active Captain, but I don't use that so I can't tell you if it's implemented. OpenCPN interfaces with all the comm protocols, GRIB, radar and AIS, so it's pretty sweet.
- nick
Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA
I highly recommend Garmin BlueChart Mobile on the iPad. It was $30 last year.
I have used it for the east coast Florida toVermont and the Bahamas last year and was quite happy with it. With Active Captain included it became invaluable with ICW information. The Active Captain database downloads in to BlueChart for off line use.
Another advantage of tablets and PC’s are, they can be quickly put into the on board Faraday Cage (oven or microwave) for lightning protection.
Our Raymarine chart plotter became our back up navigation tool.
Nile Schneider
Mañana C36 #1798
Lake Champlain, VT
Nile,
thanks for the info,I have Garmin Bluechart but haven't used it yet, i was looking for something i might be able to tie the the other marine instruments into (AIS, Wind, Depth etc) into . I have iNavX for ipad with a interface to a brookshouse imux, it provides an interface to all the 0183 instruments for the Ipad but i was looking for something that would work with a pc. the only problem i have had is the IPAD doesn't do direct sunlight well and unless it is connected to a power source the battery life is not real great. I do really like it as far a easy of use though..
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
I have been using Nobeltec's timezero odyssey for the last 3 years and could not be more happy with it and the integration of ActiveCaptain. Fuel prices, local knowlege, marina contact info are just a couple of the features I have used extensively. We take our boat from Annapolis to New England every year and have found the package to be extremely efficient and helpful. I also have all of the nave data reading into it. The only downfall I have found is that my Raymarine radar cannot interface with it.
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Matthew Schubert
s/v Mary Lynne #436
Mark I M25, std rig
Matthew Schubert
S/V Mary Lynne #436
Annapolis/Newport
1985 C-36 M25XPB
I do have power at our pedistal for the iPad. The iPad 3 and up, with the "retina" display is a power hog. Plugged in and fully charged it will slowly loose charge through the day, not enough to be a problem unless you knock out the connector inadverently.
If you have a wifi router on your boat you can use Remote Desktop software like VNC to use your ipad as a display in the cockpit for your PC down below running Nav software.
I will have to check out brookshouse mux (New Zealand). I have been looking at www.madmanmarine.com (Austrialia) for a NMEA to WIFI Bridge. Prices are pretty good. Good deals down under.
Nile Schneider
Mañana C36 #1798
Lake Champlain, VT