Charts and Maps Help please
Submitted by DhuBoi on Wed, 2010-01-20 14:37
Hey guys i have a few questions i was curious to know if anyone has any programs or knows of any programs / internet sites which is based on maps n charts of the perth metro areas's. N also a good chart plotter/ gps which is easy to use , in terms of entering a gps co-ord . I currently have a furuno gps system and it is quite hard to use. Cheers any info is much appreciated
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living is fishing
STEVE231
Posts: 1443
Date Joined: 05/01/10
Chartplotters
I don't know of any internet sites to get that sort of information, but in terms of chartplotters I use a Lowrance LCX111HD, I can record soundings on the hard drive and play them back when I get home, and mark co-ords on anything on the sounder that I did not see whilst in transit. It is a combo unit that uses Navionics gold charts. It is extremely user friendly and gives me fairly good detail on the charts. My unit is a sounder/plotter but Lowrance also produce a plotter only unit that I think goes under the name of Globalmap, great screens that are visible in direct sunlight. If I had the money I would love to buy a new Lowrance HDS unit that uses the Navionics Platinum charts in 3-D.
Steve.
wide open
Posts: 444
Date Joined: 24/12/09
yes i have something a friend gave me called
mapsend blue navigator and it has the whole wa coast on computer
JohnSorrell
Posts: 137
Date Joined: 28/07/09
http://sourceforge.net/projec
http://sourceforge.net/projects/opencpn/
Free ChartPlotter/Navigator Software... Works a treat...
Use with your Chart card & Chart Card USB adapter....
Or PM me and ill sort you out with a CD with everything you need (inc. OpenCPN & Cmap 93/2 Charts)
Gone Fishing...
shammy
Posts: 231
Date Joined: 03/07/09
na
opps pm
"Life wasn't meant to be a spectator sport"
DhuBoi
Posts: 896
Date Joined: 25/05/09
thanks guys all info much
thanks guys all info much appriciated atm i have a great sounder its a JRC colour screen FF60 model which has never failed me , but my Furuno GP31 GPS is a bitch to try n learn , and i think it is old so im looking at upgrading to a decent chart plotter so i can plug in co-ordinates etc
living is fishing
JohnSorrell
Posts: 137
Date Joined: 28/07/09
How much are you looking at
How much are you looking at spending?
I just got a Simrad NX45... Bloody awesome.... But is a combined GPS/Sounder...
Bloody GP31's are junk... You need something with a chart display... not just lat/long tracking... unless you enjoy staring at your compass and guessing where shallow reefs are....
Note: 'OpenCPN' has the ability to create a list of wayponts and tracks, which you can upload to your GP31, using a free program called "GPS Utility". But its not easy...
http://www.gpsu.co.uk/download.html
You just need to make a data cable from the GP31 to a PC/Laptop. (DSUB9-pin or DSUB-25pin) If your Laptop does not have a DSUB-9 serial data port, then you'll need a USB->Serial converter from dick smiths or harvery norman....
1. Create a bunch of Way Points / tracks using 'OpenCPN'
2. Export as a '.gpx' file. (enable this option in opencpn config)
3. Setup 'GPS Utility' for GP31 format... Search the Help file.
4. Download & Backup existing GP31 waypoints / tracks... (send to me and ill convert them for you.. hehehe :)
5. Using 'GPS Utility' - convert the '.gpx' file to furuno GP31 format & upload to gps...
Or just get one of these:
http://www.jandhproducts.com/_e/Northstar_GPS/product/Northstar_550/Northstar_Explorer_550_and_550i_Color_Chartplotter.htm
http://www.jandhproducts.com/_e/Garmin_Fixed_Mount_GPS/product/Garmin_421_010-00764-00/Garmin_GPSMAP_421_421s_GPS_Chartplotter_Fishfinder.htm
Gone Fishing...
DhuBoi
Posts: 896
Date Joined: 25/05/09
Hey John yeh We have had the
Hey John yeh We have had the Furno Gp31 since we have the boat n i gotta say im not a fan of it at all ! Like u said u cant see anything cept lat long n the lines lol. I just need a nice Chart plotter which is easy to enter GPS co-ordinates , drive to the entered gps co-ords which i have enteredd n a chart plotter which i can see everything on it . This furuno thing is driving me crazy !!! Thanks for your help mate
living is fishing
JohnSorrell
Posts: 137
Date Joined: 28/07/09
Order one of these from the
Order one of these from the US:
http://www.jandhproducts.com/_e/Northstar_GPS/product/Northstar_550/Northstar_Explorer_550_and_550i_Color_Chartplotter.htm
http://www.jandhproducts.com/_e/Garmin_Fixed_Mount_GPS/product/Garmin_421_010-00764-00/Garmin_GPSMAP_421_421s_GPS_Chartplotter_Fishfinder.htm
Bout $400 cheaper than getting one locally...
Dont forget the chart card
Gone Fishing...