I rely on MacENC running on my MacBook at the chart table and sending data to iNavX on my iPad at the wheel station. It is an excellent combination. But there are a number of enhancements I wish for in MacENC. Rich has indicated to me that sales of MacENC do not warrant his energy.
It occurs to me that there may well be users of MacENC out there wanting enhancements and willing to pay towards them - perhaps a mandate for a paid upgrade or a 'plus' version might motivate Rich?
So... please will users of MacENC wanting enhancements please add their voice to this post.
I include my priority wish-list (I have already shared with Rich technical details). Please indicate your support for these or add your own wants.
I hope we can get MacENC out of maintenance mode.
Tony
(1) Output waypoint/route data to NMEA2000 via Actisense (Priority very high)
Issue
Navigational data, such as distance and bearing to next waypoint, are not available to NMEA2000 connected devices – in my case the instrument displays at the wheel station. This leads to repeated journeys to the nav station below, often traipsing in wet etc. It also means the auto-pilot cannot steer to the waypoint.
Suggestion
Transmit computed course data through Actisense gateway
(2) Enhanced annotation capabilities (Priority high)
Issue
Plotting positions on charts from sightings or radar needs additional capability to draw bearing lines or range arcs/rings.
Suggestion
When laying down a line annotation, the position displayed at the cursor should include the distance and bearing, exactly as it does when using the distance and bearing tool. That way a line of a given bearing can be drawn. Ideally, holding down a key should flip the displayed bearing by 180 degrees, so that it is easy to draw a line from a landmark, given the sighted bearing to it. An option to switch the displayed bearing between True and Magnetic would be useful too.
For plotting position from radar distance measurements, a third annotation mode of arc is needed, whereby an arc can be draw a chosen distance from a chart point by dragging from that point. The angle of the arc could be fixed at, say, 30º or set in preferences.
(3) Intelligent track recording (Priority high)
Issue
If you examine one of my tracks, you will see oddities such as us cutting across headlands or piers. This arises because, in order to avoid being overwhelmed by track point records, I set the track recording interval to, say, 90 seconds, which is reasonable when out at sea, but when manoeuvring in harbour that is far too long. Another problem is that several points are recorded before we leave our mooring or after we drop anchor, and the tracks need to be topped and tailed.
Suggestion
In my opinion we need a more intelligent recording decision, which should
avoid recording multiple points when stationary or becalmed
record less frequently when on a straight passage
more frequently when manoeuvring
I suggest an algorithm like this:
Using this, when on a reasonably straight course recording would be at the maximum distance. When changing course a track point would be recorded. When at rest or swinging on an anchor only one point would be recorded.
(4) Sail-timer stop/start
Issue
Once sail-timer has been started, there seems to be no way to stop it, short of cancelling the Goto. I then have to open the route window and select the appropriate next waypoint to goto. The route displayed is then from that point rather from the original one or last passed waypoint.
Suggestion
Once sail-timer has been started, the Start button should become Stop. Stopping sail-timer should remove the sail-timer-created waypoints, leaving the pre-existing waypoint or route active.
(5) Sail-timer tack/gype
Issue
Under some conditions, sail-timer flips frequently between the two possible tacks/gybes. While this is not in itself a big problem (it is quite useful to see what the other tack/gype would bring), it is a problem because the changed Stayline is repeatedly sent out to iNavX, which displays a STAYLINE Activated message every couple of seconds. This can make the display unusable. I have had to leave the wheel to go below to stop sail-timer at critical times to regain use of the cockpit display.
Suggestion
Stop sail-timer from flipping.
Possibly provide a ‘show other tack/gype' button so the operator can view the alternative, or show it as an alternative (semi-transparent) line, or put in a delay after a tack/gybe before sending the new Stayline out to iNavX, so that the MacENC operator can do a quick tack/gype to see what the outcome would be without confusing the helmsman.
(6) Track log size
Issue
I keep a log of the year's cruise and publish it on my blog. But I am losing the earlier part and have to glue together earlier versions of saved logs using TextWrangler, which is tedious and error prone.
There is a maximum limit to the number of track points recorded before the oldest is over-written, but, with ever faster computers, this is unlikely to be a problem.
Suggestion
Please make the track point limit configurable via Preferences.
(7)Waypoint Management
Issue
It is now so easy and convenient to create waypoints or routes of waypoints that I am creating them routinely, just to get a good estimate of a passage distance. Especially with inland waterways I am accumulating large numbers of waypoints and routes. We need some way of dealing with ‘waypoint clutter'.
I do not want to delete these entirely, because I might, in future years, return to a cruising ground. I have considered the utility of archiving them off, but I can see a restore process could be complicated, especially dealing with the merger of duplicate or modified waypoints.
The Waypoint window provides a checkbox to allow waypoints to be hidden, but only one can be ticked/unticked at a time, and it is exceedingly tedious to do this for several hundred.
Suggestion
Provide Show all and Show none buttons in the Waypoints window to make the change for all waypoints in the selected group. Or make it show/hide all selected waypoints.
Better still, provide a Show tick-box against the list of Groups. This would allow easy management of waypoints by region.
(8) Navigating a route
Issue
When navigating a route, the natural information to view is the route tab of the Navigation window. However, to advance the waypoint requires opening the Routes window, clicking on the Next tab and then returning to the Navigation window.
Suggestion
Need next in route tab of navigation window to advance to the next waypoint.
Less important: It would also help if in the Routes window the active waypoint in the current route were flagged in some way (bold?). Then there would be visual confirmation when advancing the waypoint.
(9) Exporting track log
Issue
When I want to publish just the recent section of our cruise, I have to export whole file and edit it down. If I could export just a selected portion, that would be wonderful.
Suggestion
Please make it possible to export just the selected section of the track log.
(10) Chart zoom vs. create waypoint
Issue
Double-clicking on the chart will zoom in if in drag, select or annotate mode but will create a waypoint if in measure or move mode. I frequently accidentally create waypoints when I meant to zoom. I have clearly been in measure or move mode but I or my crew have forgotten to return to drag mode.
Suggestion
Please make this consistent. All modes provide for waypoint creation via the contextual menu, which is my method by habit. I think it would be better to make double-click zoom in all modes and leave waypoint creation to the contextual menu.
(11) Chart display
Issue
I like to centre the display using the position offset by course. However, I find the offset too big for my screen with the other windows taking space. Something important is usually hidden, despite rearranging the necessary windows depending on the direction of the course. I end up having to use no offset.
Suggestion
The amount of offset for the position display should be configurable via Preferences.
(12) Deleting Waypoints
Issue
I have sometimes deleted a waypoint when I only intended to remove it from a route.
Suggestion
Make it explicit which of these actions is about to happen, either by appropriate labels on the button Delete or Remove from Route and in the contextual, or introduce a dialogue box inviting choice between the two. If a waypoint is in the active route, the chart contextual menu should include Remove from Route.
(13) Route Integrity
Issue
If a waypoint is deleted and a route uses that waypoint, the route simply omits it, possibly diverting it across dangers such as rocks.
Suggestion
Either decline to delete a waypoint which is used in a route or display a choice dialogue stating that the waypoint is in use by the route and offering choices to cancel, delete anyway or goto the route list.
A waypoint may be in more than one route, so if the user chooses to delete it anyway, the dialogue box should then be displayed for the next route and only when the change to all routes has been confirmed should the waypoint be deleted. This is quite complicated, so it may be better just to require that the waypoint be removed from the routes first. It would be necessary to show which routes it is used by.
(14) Annotation deletion
Issue
It can be very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to pick up annotations for deletion.
Suggestion
A fix would be ideal.
Sometimes I create annotations in error by selecting the annotate mode instead of the measure mode. An undo last annotation would help.
(15) Connecting Actisense NMEA2000/USB interface
Issue
Fairly frequently, having prepared for a passage I then plug in the USB interface, only to discover I must quite MacENC and relaunch so that the interface gets initialised. Not a major problem, but irritating when needing to get under way.
Suggestion
When opening the GPS window, if no interface has been registered, try and initialise at this point.
(16) Copy position
Issue
I quite often need to record the position of something on the chart, such as when making a log entry or documenting something such as a chart correction report. I usually resort to entering annotation or measure mode, hovering over the spot and noting down the position. This is tedious and error prone.
Suggestion
Add a copy position item to the chart contextual menu, which should place the formatted position (e.g 48° 12.34'N 2° 54.214'W) as unformatted text onto the clipboard, from where it can be pasted into the log or other report.
(17) Route display
Issue
In the Route tab of the Navigation window it is possible to toggle the Time To Go column between incremental and accumulative. This is useful. But working out an ETA requires adding the actual current time – not great maths but a chore, especially if feeling unwell.
Suggestion
Cycle through a third choice of actual ETA at each waypoint.
It occurs to me that there may well be users of MacENC out there wanting enhancements and willing to pay towards them - perhaps a mandate for a paid upgrade or a 'plus' version might motivate Rich?
So... please will users of MacENC wanting enhancements please add their voice to this post.
I include my priority wish-list (I have already shared with Rich technical details). Please indicate your support for these or add your own wants.
I hope we can get MacENC out of maintenance mode.
Tony
(1) Output waypoint/route data to NMEA2000 via Actisense (Priority very high)
Issue
Navigational data, such as distance and bearing to next waypoint, are not available to NMEA2000 connected devices – in my case the instrument displays at the wheel station. This leads to repeated journeys to the nav station below, often traipsing in wet etc. It also means the auto-pilot cannot steer to the waypoint.
Suggestion
Transmit computed course data through Actisense gateway
(2) Enhanced annotation capabilities (Priority high)
Issue
Plotting positions on charts from sightings or radar needs additional capability to draw bearing lines or range arcs/rings.
Suggestion
When laying down a line annotation, the position displayed at the cursor should include the distance and bearing, exactly as it does when using the distance and bearing tool. That way a line of a given bearing can be drawn. Ideally, holding down a key should flip the displayed bearing by 180 degrees, so that it is easy to draw a line from a landmark, given the sighted bearing to it. An option to switch the displayed bearing between True and Magnetic would be useful too.
For plotting position from radar distance measurements, a third annotation mode of arc is needed, whereby an arc can be draw a chosen distance from a chart point by dragging from that point. The angle of the arc could be fixed at, say, 30º or set in preferences.
(3) Intelligent track recording (Priority high)
Issue
If you examine one of my tracks, you will see oddities such as us cutting across headlands or piers. This arises because, in order to avoid being overwhelmed by track point records, I set the track recording interval to, say, 90 seconds, which is reasonable when out at sea, but when manoeuvring in harbour that is far too long. Another problem is that several points are recorded before we leave our mooring or after we drop anchor, and the tracks need to be topped and tailed.
Suggestion
In my opinion we need a more intelligent recording decision, which should
avoid recording multiple points when stationary or becalmed
record less frequently when on a straight passage
more frequently when manoeuvring
I suggest an algorithm like this:
Code:
every 10 seconds <or whatever>
if ({distance from last trackpoint} > {minimum distance} then
if ({change in CMG since last point} > 15°) or ({distance from last trackpoint} > {maximum distance}) then record track point
end if
endifUsing this, when on a reasonably straight course recording would be at the maximum distance. When changing course a track point would be recorded. When at rest or swinging on an anchor only one point would be recorded.
(4) Sail-timer stop/start
Issue
Once sail-timer has been started, there seems to be no way to stop it, short of cancelling the Goto. I then have to open the route window and select the appropriate next waypoint to goto. The route displayed is then from that point rather from the original one or last passed waypoint.
Suggestion
Once sail-timer has been started, the Start button should become Stop. Stopping sail-timer should remove the sail-timer-created waypoints, leaving the pre-existing waypoint or route active.
(5) Sail-timer tack/gype
Issue
Under some conditions, sail-timer flips frequently between the two possible tacks/gybes. While this is not in itself a big problem (it is quite useful to see what the other tack/gype would bring), it is a problem because the changed Stayline is repeatedly sent out to iNavX, which displays a STAYLINE Activated message every couple of seconds. This can make the display unusable. I have had to leave the wheel to go below to stop sail-timer at critical times to regain use of the cockpit display.
Suggestion
Stop sail-timer from flipping.
Possibly provide a ‘show other tack/gype' button so the operator can view the alternative, or show it as an alternative (semi-transparent) line, or put in a delay after a tack/gybe before sending the new Stayline out to iNavX, so that the MacENC operator can do a quick tack/gype to see what the outcome would be without confusing the helmsman.
(6) Track log size
Issue
I keep a log of the year's cruise and publish it on my blog. But I am losing the earlier part and have to glue together earlier versions of saved logs using TextWrangler, which is tedious and error prone.
There is a maximum limit to the number of track points recorded before the oldest is over-written, but, with ever faster computers, this is unlikely to be a problem.
Suggestion
Please make the track point limit configurable via Preferences.
(7)Waypoint Management
Issue
It is now so easy and convenient to create waypoints or routes of waypoints that I am creating them routinely, just to get a good estimate of a passage distance. Especially with inland waterways I am accumulating large numbers of waypoints and routes. We need some way of dealing with ‘waypoint clutter'.
I do not want to delete these entirely, because I might, in future years, return to a cruising ground. I have considered the utility of archiving them off, but I can see a restore process could be complicated, especially dealing with the merger of duplicate or modified waypoints.
The Waypoint window provides a checkbox to allow waypoints to be hidden, but only one can be ticked/unticked at a time, and it is exceedingly tedious to do this for several hundred.
Suggestion
Provide Show all and Show none buttons in the Waypoints window to make the change for all waypoints in the selected group. Or make it show/hide all selected waypoints.
Better still, provide a Show tick-box against the list of Groups. This would allow easy management of waypoints by region.
(8) Navigating a route
Issue
When navigating a route, the natural information to view is the route tab of the Navigation window. However, to advance the waypoint requires opening the Routes window, clicking on the Next tab and then returning to the Navigation window.
Suggestion
Need next in route tab of navigation window to advance to the next waypoint.
Less important: It would also help if in the Routes window the active waypoint in the current route were flagged in some way (bold?). Then there would be visual confirmation when advancing the waypoint.
(9) Exporting track log
Issue
When I want to publish just the recent section of our cruise, I have to export whole file and edit it down. If I could export just a selected portion, that would be wonderful.
Suggestion
Please make it possible to export just the selected section of the track log.
(10) Chart zoom vs. create waypoint
Issue
Double-clicking on the chart will zoom in if in drag, select or annotate mode but will create a waypoint if in measure or move mode. I frequently accidentally create waypoints when I meant to zoom. I have clearly been in measure or move mode but I or my crew have forgotten to return to drag mode.
Suggestion
Please make this consistent. All modes provide for waypoint creation via the contextual menu, which is my method by habit. I think it would be better to make double-click zoom in all modes and leave waypoint creation to the contextual menu.
(11) Chart display
Issue
I like to centre the display using the position offset by course. However, I find the offset too big for my screen with the other windows taking space. Something important is usually hidden, despite rearranging the necessary windows depending on the direction of the course. I end up having to use no offset.
Suggestion
The amount of offset for the position display should be configurable via Preferences.
(12) Deleting Waypoints
Issue
I have sometimes deleted a waypoint when I only intended to remove it from a route.
Suggestion
Make it explicit which of these actions is about to happen, either by appropriate labels on the button Delete or Remove from Route and in the contextual, or introduce a dialogue box inviting choice between the two. If a waypoint is in the active route, the chart contextual menu should include Remove from Route.
(13) Route Integrity
Issue
If a waypoint is deleted and a route uses that waypoint, the route simply omits it, possibly diverting it across dangers such as rocks.
Suggestion
Either decline to delete a waypoint which is used in a route or display a choice dialogue stating that the waypoint is in use by the route and offering choices to cancel, delete anyway or goto the route list.
A waypoint may be in more than one route, so if the user chooses to delete it anyway, the dialogue box should then be displayed for the next route and only when the change to all routes has been confirmed should the waypoint be deleted. This is quite complicated, so it may be better just to require that the waypoint be removed from the routes first. It would be necessary to show which routes it is used by.
(14) Annotation deletion
Issue
It can be very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to pick up annotations for deletion.
Suggestion
A fix would be ideal.
Sometimes I create annotations in error by selecting the annotate mode instead of the measure mode. An undo last annotation would help.
(15) Connecting Actisense NMEA2000/USB interface
Issue
Fairly frequently, having prepared for a passage I then plug in the USB interface, only to discover I must quite MacENC and relaunch so that the interface gets initialised. Not a major problem, but irritating when needing to get under way.
Suggestion
When opening the GPS window, if no interface has been registered, try and initialise at this point.
(16) Copy position
Issue
I quite often need to record the position of something on the chart, such as when making a log entry or documenting something such as a chart correction report. I usually resort to entering annotation or measure mode, hovering over the spot and noting down the position. This is tedious and error prone.
Suggestion
Add a copy position item to the chart contextual menu, which should place the formatted position (e.g 48° 12.34'N 2° 54.214'W) as unformatted text onto the clipboard, from where it can be pasted into the log or other report.
(17) Route display
Issue
In the Route tab of the Navigation window it is possible to toggle the Time To Go column between incremental and accumulative. This is useful. But working out an ETA requires adding the actual current time – not great maths but a chore, especially if feeling unwell.
Suggestion
Cycle through a third choice of actual ETA at each waypoint.