Hatteras Navigation Software

[Freebird]

Forgive me for throwing Hatteras in at the beginning of the title. I just wanted to make sure it qualified. I asked these same questions on the Sandbar side, but I wanted to get advice from you tech, tech, tech, guys who may choose to stay away from "the other side".

Now that a laptop is along for the ride when I head out, I figure I may as well put it to use for other things than keeping up with all you yahoos. I carry a total of three GPS units on Freebird. A Garmin 2010 Chartplotter with pre-loaded charts, a second Garmin GPS with mapping capabilities which uses the no longer to be found G chips, and a Magellan handheld for just in case.

I still haven't read the manual that came with the 2010, so I don't know how it would work in conjunction with a laptop. I would still like to have stand alone charting capabilities with the laptop though. It would come in handy for using on other boats like Nancy Cay or the GuzCruzer in case GuzBoy's Raymarine loses more than his waypoints!

Please help this computer illiterate hillbilly find some good software.

 

[thoward]

We run a Garmin with the Bluecharts. We also have Offshore Naigator on the laptop. It will run with input from any NEMA? GPS. I like it to plan a trip as you can figure fuel, ETA, distance, and it has marinas built in. It works well and is only like $150. Personally I would like to see a software/hardware package that could be used throughout the boat. Meaning each room has a monitor which accesses a central computer which is attached to radar, depth, Gps, cameras and other such toys.

 

[Pascal]

i guess your question got lost in the static and clutter of the sandbar...

you can easily connect your garmin to a notebook with serial plug. it's all explained in the garmin manual, easy. I used some shielded phone cable, you jsut need 2 wires from what i recall, to connect the garmin on the FB to the computer at the lower helm. if you don't ahve a serial port on your notebook, you can get a USB/serial adpater and any computer store...

for software i use garmin's... it's free onthe Blue chart CD... works well.. shows speed, heading, position on the charts, track, WPs, routes, etc... although it doens't display time or bearing to the next WP. but, hey... it's free.

 

[Freebird]

Hey guys, thanks for the input.

I certainly did not use this forum because I thought barhoppers couldn't provide valuable info (they actually provided more info than you guys did ).

I just realize, as I have previously acknowledged, there are a lot of smart folks on this side of the fence who may not visit my primary home.

When I get back to Freebird, I'll dig up the owner's manual so I won't have to keep asking stupid questions on here. I know my 2010 has a port for chips, but I never really knew what its purpose was as the unit is preloaded with all the charts. I guess now I know what it does and what all those extra cords are for!

Thanks again, and don't stop with additional input on my original question. I can use all the help I can get. In the meantime, stop in at the bar and grab a Coke (or whatever) and a smile!

 

[Maynard Rupp]

We use a laptop with the new bright screen. Our chart program on "Unity" is Nobletech. All the charts that NOAA makes are now available FREE online. I have downloaded all charts from upper Michigan to Tampa Florida down the east cost. You only need two data wires from your GPS to a 9 pin serial plug. The only other catch is the newer laptops no longer come with a serial connectopr,(progress). You have to buy a serial to USB adaptor from someone like Radio Shack. Our bright screen laptop worked great all the way from Detroit to Miami. Our Navman unit with C-Map cards works OK, but goes blank while updating to the next section. That always seems to happen at a bad time. Kinda like how your cell phone always rings while you are backing into a well,(oops, I mean a slip, sorry Floridians), in a wind and current.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have the MapTech software on my laptop. I like the fact that they use actual NOAA charts. I don't use most of the features of the software, but it works just fine and I don't regret buying it. I am not really familiar with the competing products, but it might be worth checking out.

 

[Freebird]

Forgive me for throwing Hatteras in at the beginning of the title. I just wanted to make sure it qualified. I asked these same questions on the Sandbar side, but I wanted to get advice from you tech, tech, tech, guys who may choose to stay away from "the other side"..

Seriously, did the intro to this thread seem like a "barb"? It wasn't meant to be. I had it pointed out to me in a PM that it was. I didn't take offense at Pascal's little poke at me about not getting through the "static and clutter" on the Sandbar to find answers to serious questions. I posed this same question on both forums because I needed as much input as possible to aid me in making the right decison on software. Frankly, I wasn't sure where to post this thread.

Truth is, many of the serious threads are now appearing on The Sandbar and seem to be very much technically Hatteras related, carpet on a Hatteras for example. I've noticed several more that would have been acceptable on here prior to the split. I was sincere in my request for information on the subject at hand, and I sincerely appreciate the responses.

I'm not complaining or trying to start an argument, I'm just a little confused sometimes as to what is acceptable and what is not. Would it be taking my own thread "off-topic" to ask for input on this as well?

 

[Passages]

I'm just a little confused sometimes as to what is acceptable and what is not. Would it be taking my own thread "off-topic" to ask for input on this as well?

Randy,
Dougs sticky note was pretty clear on expectations, but FWIW, below is a copy/paste:

"The Hatteras Tech Talk section (previously General Discussion) will be used for topics and threads that are specifically related to Hatteras yachts. It will be the more technical section where members ask questions and exchange ideas about their boats. In this section, threads will be required to stay on topic and be Hatteras specific.

The new Everything Else (Sandbar) section will be used for more general and less specific discussion and postings. While digressions and ramblings will be more tolerated in this section, forum policies and guidelines will still apply. Please remember that off-topic does not mean off-color. "
So, my read is this thread, the carpet thread and any other technical question which could be applied to maintaining or refitting a Hatt (even if not exclusively Hatteras) should be in the Tech Talk section.

 

[Freebird]

Thanks for the re-post in braille (sp)! Maybe it's more clear in larger bold print!

Seriously though, look at the bulk of the posts on the tech forum and I think you'll get my point as to being a little confused when I'm trying to be serious. Again, I'm not complaining or trying to make a fuss, but it looks like there is still a lot of gray area as to interpretation of the rules. But sometimes I get the feeling it's more about the author than it is the thead itself as to what is deemed proper.

I'll hush now, but other replies to this subject would be interesting, and I promise I won't comment on any more as I am truly trying to stay within the rules on this side of the fence. (serious face)

 

[SeaEric]

I think that perhaps the owner of the site and the moderators make the call on the interpretation of the rules for posting. Anyone who insists on pushing the envelope to the limit will probably discover that for themselves. Civility and good manners are tough things to legislate, and generally do not allow for a gray area. We all continue to participate here at the pleasure of the site owner, with input from moderators. No gray area there either. With one click: POOF: Anyone of us can be gone from here.