[Sentoa] Coastal Explorer Navigation Software

[happyclamz at hotmail.com]

When I find a product that I really enjoy using, I do like to pass it along.  And I have a product that I'm VERY happy with.  That is Coastal Explorer 2009 from Rose Point Navigation.

When Leslie and I did the Great Loop 2 years ago we used Nobeltec 8.x  What a disaster.  I spent so much time speaking to Nobeltec customer support, I ran over my cell minutes on my phone plan.  I had so many issues that Nobeltec upgraded me to the new version 9.0 for free.  I still had all kinds of problems, most frequently the computer locking up, and not quilting well.  This year at the Miami Boat Show, I spoke to the tech people about the free NOAA charts that we had been using and had heard that Nobeltec would no longer support.  And that, if you had by mistake, upgraded past the 9.2 version (you really had to look for fine print here) you couldn't use the free charts at all.  The Nobeltec unlock codes are VERY expensive if you are doing long range cruising like we are (doing the Down East Loop currently).  They hoped that we would continue to use them and purchase the unlock codes (they explained that this was a corporate decision.)

Now for the happy ending.  Les and I immediately walked over to the Coastal Explorer booth.  The sales rep was knowledgeable, answered our questions, and we purchased CE, basically on the spot.  After almost 1,000 miles and 57 days out, I couldn't be happier.  Sure, there are a couple of nice things I would like to see (like ease of color change, and distance to go on the main screen).  But the program is extremely intuitive and easy to use.  We have not had the computer lock up once on us (Nobeltec locked up so many times I quit counting, and one time I directly credit their software for our softly hitting the bottom, no damage done).   BTW: we use a Garmin GPS 76CS via USB cable for the GPS signal, and run the software on the PC.  

Coastal Explorer comes with a disc of all the US charts, plus is compatible with many other formats, including the free NOAA downloads.  Nobeltec would not work with the free NOAA downloads (would lock up frequently depending on which chart it was on), even though when we purchased the product we were told it would.  And the newer version is not compatible at all.

Anyway, I am sure there are people out there that just love their Nobeltec.  Great.  But from my standpoint, Coastal Explorer is absolutely the way to go.  Also if you are a US Power Squadron Member, you get a discount.

Great product, let me know if you have any issues with the product, maybe I can help you.  But I don't think you will.

Doug and Leslie Folkerth
Happy Clamz
Nordic Tug 32-127
Gainesville FL
Currently in Annapolis, doing the Down East Loop
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