navigation maps

[gert]

Are there web sites with downloadable maps that don't require houndreds of $$$s?

[gert]

Are there web sites with downloadable maps that don't require houndreds of $$$s?

[gert]

Are there web sites with downloadable maps that don't require houndreds of $$$s?

[Ian McColgin]

For nautical charts, not that I know of. The modern data bases are like the private nautical chart businesses such as Chichester's - they can't make money if they give it away.

You can get some topographic maps off terraserver (go to WB links, to msl, and look for 'eye in the sky') but these are not suitable for navigation.

[Ian McColgin]

For nautical charts, not that I know of. The modern data bases are like the private nautical chart businesses such as Chichester's - they can't make money if they give it away.

You can get some topographic maps off terraserver (go to WB links, to msl, and look for 'eye in the sky') but these are not suitable for navigation.

[Ian McColgin]

For nautical charts, not that I know of. The modern data bases are like the private nautical chart businesses such as Chichester's - they can't make money if they give it away.

You can get some topographic maps off terraserver (go to WB links, to msl, and look for 'eye in the sky') but these are not suitable for navigation.

[Bruce Hooke]

Another good source for topographic maps of the USA is http://www.topozone.com , however, again, these are not suitable for navigation (unless you are talking about navigating a canoe :D )!

Even if you find a place where you can download charts, how will you print them at a size that is reasonable?

I wonder why topo maps are readily available online but charts are not? One possibility is because charts are updated much more frequently. The liablity risks might be higher for that very reason...

[Bruce Hooke]

Another good source for topographic maps of the USA is http://www.topozone.com , however, again, these are not suitable for navigation (unless you are talking about navigating a canoe :D )!

Even if you find a place where you can download charts, how will you print them at a size that is reasonable?

I wonder why topo maps are readily available online but charts are not? One possibility is because charts are updated much more frequently. The liablity risks might be higher for that very reason...

[Bruce Hooke]

Another good source for topographic maps of the USA is http://www.topozone.com , however, again, these are not suitable for navigation (unless you are talking about navigating a canoe :D )!

Even if you find a place where you can download charts, how will you print them at a size that is reasonable?

I wonder why topo maps are readily available online but charts are not? One possibility is because charts are updated much more frequently. The liablity risks might be higher for that very reason...

[Torna]

The chart data is becoming available
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/index.htm

I was just able to download the raw chart data for Portland ME, but have no idea how to view / play with it. If anyone figures that out, please post.

And, of course, we all want our GPS units to be able to import this public domain data directly - so we don't have to pay Garmin $$$$ for access to data collected & maintained by our own tax $.

-leif

[Torna]

The chart data is becoming available
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/index.htm

I was just able to download the raw chart data for Portland ME, but have no idea how to view / play with it. If anyone figures that out, please post.

And, of course, we all want our GPS units to be able to import this public domain data directly - so we don't have to pay Garmin $$$$ for access to data collected & maintained by our own tax $.

-leif

[Torna]

The chart data is becoming available
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/index.htm

I was just able to download the raw chart data for Portland ME, but have no idea how to view / play with it. If anyone figures that out, please post.

And, of course, we all want our GPS units to be able to import this public domain data directly - so we don't have to pay Garmin $$$$ for access to data collected & maintained by our own tax $.

-leif

[Norm Bernstein]

The NOAA page cited has links to some free viewers for these charts. I've downloaded and tried two of them, and so far, the Fugawi viewer is the easier of the two. It takes a few minutes to figure out how to use it, but eventually you can zoom in and see standard chart objects like depth soundings and contours, bouys, etc. While this works, I think this chart format proves the old adage that 'In America, there is no free lunch'. The chart is nothing like a real paper chart; it is vector-based, object oriented, and doesn't contain a great deal of the notations and additional detail that a paper chart does. Neither of these programs is anything whatsoever like a genuine commercial electronic charting system.

If you REALLY want to navigate electronically, I'd recommend a 'genuine' electronic charting system, such as the Garmin 2006C that I own... superb, bright display, easy to use and highly intuitive (and unfortunately expensive). For PC based charts, Maptech is terrific.

[Norm Bernstein]

The NOAA page cited has links to some free viewers for these charts. I've downloaded and tried two of them, and so far, the Fugawi viewer is the easier of the two. It takes a few minutes to figure out how to use it, but eventually you can zoom in and see standard chart objects like depth soundings and contours, bouys, etc. While this works, I think this chart format proves the old adage that 'In America, there is no free lunch'. The chart is nothing like a real paper chart; it is vector-based, object oriented, and doesn't contain a great deal of the notations and additional detail that a paper chart does. Neither of these programs is anything whatsoever like a genuine commercial electronic charting system.

If you REALLY want to navigate electronically, I'd recommend a 'genuine' electronic charting system, such as the Garmin 2006C that I own... superb, bright display, easy to use and highly intuitive (and unfortunately expensive). For PC based charts, Maptech is terrific.

[Norm Bernstein]

The NOAA page cited has links to some free viewers for these charts. I've downloaded and tried two of them, and so far, the Fugawi viewer is the easier of the two. It takes a few minutes to figure out how to use it, but eventually you can zoom in and see standard chart objects like depth soundings and contours, bouys, etc. While this works, I think this chart format proves the old adage that 'In America, there is no free lunch'. The chart is nothing like a real paper chart; it is vector-based, object oriented, and doesn't contain a great deal of the notations and additional detail that a paper chart does. Neither of these programs is anything whatsoever like a genuine commercial electronic charting system.

If you REALLY want to navigate electronically, I'd recommend a 'genuine' electronic charting system, such as the Garmin 2006C that I own... superb, bright display, easy to use and highly intuitive (and unfortunately expensive). For PC based charts, Maptech is terrific.

[Gresham CA]

Fugawi also has the navigation software to read the ENC's that you can download free. IIRC it is $300.

[Gresham CA]

Fugawi also has the navigation software to read the ENC's that you can download free. IIRC it is $300.

[Gresham CA]

Fugawi also has the navigation software to read the ENC's that you can download free. IIRC it is $300.