T&T: Computer Nav software

[John Owen]

Having just come out of cruising under sail for 25+ years, most of which was
done with sun sights, keeping a good DR, and even for a while a lead line, I
became addicted to the ease of a Chart-plotter when we bought a small Garmin
172 a couple of years ago- worked great. Unfortunately it went with the
OI-41 and now I am dealing with 15-year-old electronics, which are no longer
supported, in our new INTERLUDE- the CHB 41. I still am very confident of
navigating from A to B using the tried and true traditional techniques, but
the gadgets sure are fun, and add a degree of accuracy we never enjoyed in
the old days. We have a decent GPS (seems to be working fine)- so am now
trying to decide about how to go.

1.	Buy a new dedicated Chart-plotter with all the new chips, e.g. Garmin,
C-map, etc. or,
2.	Buy software and charts (CDs) for the laptop..

Would really appreciate thoughts, recommendations, advice, both pro & con.
Certainly cost is a factor and value (bang-for-the-buck) is important.

Thanks,

JohnO
INTERLUDE, CHB41
Jacksonville, FL