Here is what I use - See the link on the bottom line. It is free. You do need a GPS to connect to the PC so that the chart knows where you are located at.

OpenCPN

(c) 2000-2013 The OpenCPN Authors

Version 3.2.0 Build 2013-02-26

OpenCPN is a Free Software project, built by sailors.
It is freely available to download and distribute
without charge at Opencpn.org.

If you use OpenCPN, please consider contributing
or donating funds to the project.

Documentation
[url]http://Opencpn.org[/url]

The other good thing about OpenCPN is it can use the free to download NOAA charts so you get a totally free solution. I find it not quite as elegant as the commercial software but when it's all free it's a mighty fine deal and totally functional.

I also recommend OpenCPN. I use it with an inexpensive usb GPS antenna and it really works nicely.

I just purchased an android phone (Samsung Galaxy 4) and have read some reviews of some of the navigation apps - [url]http://sailing.about.com/od/SailingApps/a/5-Android-Apps-For-Boat-Charts...

I'm about to download the MX Mariner app; can't give you a review as yet, but I liked what I saw in the review. I believe it can save routes and waypoints in an OpenCPN format, so it may be possible to to route planning in OpenCPN on a laptop, then save it off and import it into the MX Mariner app; don't quote me on that, I haven't tried it yet.

I found a number of waterproof cases and mounts for the phone so I can use it in the cockpit. I'll probably get a tablet in the spring, but will learn how to use everything on the phone and of course, one will back up the other in case of a failure (or a drop overboard).

I use Navionics and Navimatics apps on my Ipad and phone. The first is better to navigate with and the second has ACTIVECAPTAIN info which is great.

Mostly I use these for trip planning and backup to my Raymarine equipment on board.

Enrique
Talisman

I use Navionics in my Raymarine C80 chart plotter, laptop computer, iPad, and iPhone.

I also have added a DMK11A-gps to my Raymarine Seatalk bus and I am streaming NEMA 0183 from all the Raymarine devices out wireless. I use an iPad with iRegatta for racing & general sailing information and a laptop with Rose Point Coastal Explorer as a chart plotter.

Marc Nachman
s/v Whispering Eye
2004 Catalina 36MkII #2201
SRFM, WK, M35b

[QUOTE=Whispering Eye;20875].... I am streaming NEMA 0183 from all the Raymarine devices out wireless......[/QUOTE]

What device are you using to do this???

[url]http://www.dmkyacht.com/specifications[/url]

Hi Bob:

Another PC based chart plotter software application that works with the NOAA raster charts is SeaClear II. It can be downloaded from [url]http://www.sping.com/seaclear/[/url] for free. There is only a Windows version as far as I know. It was developed for Windows XP but I use it with Windows 7 64 bit with no problems. It is not completely intuitive but not at all hard to learn and seems to work well enough. I used the USB GPS receiver that came with Microsoft Streets and Trips and that worked fine on the water.

I just recently learned of Open CPN and have downloaded that but have not had a chance to use it and compare it with SeaClear.

I like Coastal Explorer on my laptop, and use it regularly.

While I have a Raymarine C80 chartplotter, I prefer to use Captain Voyager on a laptop in the nav station. I find that on the chart plotter if you zoom out, details are lost, while on Capt Voyager the hazards are always visible.
Unfortunately Voyager is costly, but I just feel very comfortable using it. You need to establish a GPS connection in order to locate a boat icon etc.