[Sentoa] Nav Software

[Cameron Sharpe]

I've used Nobletec with the ENC charts for about 4-years.  Also used Coastal 
Explorer which I think is pretty nice too.  The Nobletec has some other 
overlays like street maps, aerial photos and topographical shading, but the 
Coastal Explorer allows you to download current ENC charts from NOAA.  I 
think we need to pay Nobletec for theirs.  I suspect that in the long run 
the Coastal Explorer will cost a lot less.

Both were very easy to learn and had great route planning tools.  Nobletec's 
graphics were a initially little sharper, but I was able to play with the 
color schemes and navigation aid displays on Coastal Explorer and get good 
results there also.

The only problems I've had were with the "Wild Mouse Syndrome," and slow GPS 
update in critical situations.  Neither were Nav software problems.

The "Wild Mouse" is caused when the computer sees the GPS data input before 
it sees the mouse input.  The mouse goes nuts.  Solution.  Boot computer 
first, then bring GPS on line after mouse is active. A fun little test I do 
at start up is to drag the little boat icon over to a nearby parking lot (on 
land) before the computer sees the GPS.  When the GPS input hits the 
computer, the boat icon jumps back to the dock.  At that point, you know you 
have a functioning system.

It can take the GPS 10 to 15 seconds to update in a turn.  Not much of a 
problem, unless you are in a current in a tight area between shoals. 
Solution: look outside, not at computer.

Cameron Sharpe, CPP
Seastar NT 32-128  Port Ludlow, WA