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Hi there. I hope this is posted in the right forum. I have been a demo user of MacEnc for quite some time. Richard says I'm the longest demo user by far. The time has come to make the dream of computer charting and navigation a reality.
My question is this. What is the best way to control the autopilot. Do I set it up so that the GPS steers and then upload waypoints to the GPS? This seems attractive since the boat is a sailboat and power consumption and reliability are an issue. Or do I have the computer send the control data and just use the GPS for position?
Or better yet, why not put in a switch to select which one steers?
Your thoughts and feedback are solicited.
thanks

kinda decided I want to put one of my cubes to use and it will fit perfectly where I want it, so before I go to the risk of registering my charts on it, will it work?? 450Mhz cube 1 Gig ram 10.4.11 (I think)

plus I can mount the ball speakers somewhere and listen to some tunes

sorry, for got to mention, was going to run GPSNavX on it, but may upgrade that to MacENC

HI,
I am new to this forum but so far its great. Can someone boil down for me the differences between these two programs?
thanks,
Lori

Hi,

I am evaluating MacEnc and would like to get a chart of a well known area : french atlantic coast.

I have looked on chartworld.com but there is no detailed ENC chart of french coasts. I spent quite some time looking for it but please let me know if i am wrong.

I also tried to buy online some S63 Primar charts. I have been able to download the encrypted files, but I have not found a website where I could buy and pay the license online (scannav.com is the best I found, and you have to request a quote through email and there is a minimum purchase of 100 euros).
Is there any web site where I could juste enter my UserPermit, my credit card number and buy a few licenses?


Last but not least, if I decide to purchase MacEnc, will my UserPermit change ?
It is currently installed on a MacBookPro laptop but I might someday decide to move it on an inboard mac mini. Is it possbile to keep the same UserPermit (or to move it from one computer to the other) ?

Thanks a lot,
thomas

My recently purchased 1997 Nordic Tug has the original chart plotter and autopilot. They work well for basic navigation as there are no longer charts available for it. I am adding a mac laptop running MacEnc software and a separate gps. I would like to use the Miniplex lite as it allows the addition of an AIS receiver. I would also like to be able to bypass the new additions and go back to the original system. Problem is the Miniplex lite is usb powered and so will not work without the computer in place. The Miniplex 41USB is self powered but costs much more and will not handle the speed of an AIS receiver. I am thinking of a switching system to switch between the two systems but this seems cumbersome. Any suggestions?

From the folks who developed GeoGarage comes this free viewing service overlaid on Google maps:

Zoomable NOAA charts of the entire US coastline
http://demo.geogarage.com/noaa/

Photos of the French Atlantic coastline
http://demo.geogarage.com/

I just bought the 2008 Chartkit for the Northwest Bahamas, brought it home to register the charts and install them as usual and the register program doesn't recognize the CD. What has changed since CYC bought out Maptech? Can I use this CD or should I return it and look for another option for Bahamas charts?

Christine

This Device allows any serial port (i.e. Keyspan adapter, Multiplexer) to connect to a NMEA 2000 network

hi,

my first post, thanks for the forum and the software.

i'm wanting to put together a nav package that could run on/recharge from a 12watt flexible solar panel.

i'd thought i would pick up an older g4 powerbook capable of running 10.4 and navX. are there any "gotchas" in those systems to look out for?

is there a way to recharge the batteries for a lap top from this solar panel?

i've also looked at a garmin 76cx which would work fine but i don't like their proprietary ways. (like apple is better)

any other suggestions?

i'm also thinking the powerbook could be my stero .

thanks for the input.


wm

I've been reading this forum for over two years now and in that time have seen many requests for added features to both MacENC and GPSNavX. I can honestly say 99% of them have been excellent ideas for improving both applications, however a what point does Richard say, "This is hard work and I might think to increase the cost of MacENC or GPSNavX". Do we all want a MacENC or GPSNavX suite costing the same as Nobletec, I don't think so. Don't get me wrong, Richard might enjoy the challenge of some of your requests, but try to think, is this feature really needed. If we all start to allow our computers to run are vessels, will that change the meaning of "Seamanship". Please understand this comment is not a criticism to all those's who make feature requests, just my two cents worth on keeping the cost down on two excellent navigational software programs. What's your opinion? All welcome.

Patrick :laugh:

MV Eboness