Trip Planning Software

[rommer]

Looking for opinions on trip planning software. I currently have C-Maps PC Planner but the plotter on my boat uses Navionics chips. I have been transfering routes and waypoints by hand which really sucks!

We are expanding our travel area this year so new chips are needed. Buying the C-map chips makes no sense since this boat doesn't use them. I also have the free version of Chart Navigator from Maptech so I'm considering their pro version since it claims to be able to up/download routes and points to/from the PC

I see Navionics has their own software but I don't know anyone that has/used it. It's considerably less money than Chart Navigator Pro which lists for $499

Pros/cons of each package is what I'm looking for. What do you use and why?

TIA

 

[Shake n Bake]

You could download the free Raytech PC planner from the Raymaine website. It is almost entirely full featured. You can load 3rd party maps into it as well as Navionics maps. The only feature that is not included with the free version is the ability to interface directly with the boat electronics. If you're using for trip planning and waypoint storage, it's a very economical and elegant solution.

 

[Monterey10]

When we were cruising, we met people along the way that gave us good tips on where to go and what to look at. Taking them up on their advise really improved our trip. The problem I had to overcome was making new routes in unknown waters and learning about these new anchorages, marinas and islands. I found a combinations of chartbooks, local area guides and my laptop running Nobeltech Passport were all useful. I like the Maptech software. The nicer versions of these programs allow you to plug a USB GPS into the laptop and have your position appear on your lap top, much like a chart plotter. Little programs on the laptop such as WXTides were useful for keeping track of the tidal movement. When we got a WiFi connection, I was able to study the weather extensively, email home etc etc.

In any case, when we were traveling in unknown waters, the more information I had, the better the route I took. The laptops running Maptech or Nobeltech were an important part of my route planning.