When on the water I use a large screen Garmin chart plotter to navigate with. Sometimes when at home, I would like to plan a trip or even just look at or refer to a chart.

Who uses their home computer or laptop to view charts and who's product do you recommend ? Any idea of the cost of these programs ? Will use mostly for Florida waters / Bahamas and the Great Lakes.

Bob

you can use your GPS in combination with google earth, can be look in your computer, plan trips , see where you been and your speed

I use MapSource by Garmin. View the same at home as you would on the plotter. Charts are reasonably priced too for all areas.

Thanks. I will investigate that. I find the Garmin to be user friendly so that is worth looking into.

BTB

I use the Mapsource also. I create the routes on my computer and then download to the Garmin. Also if you have others with a Garmin going on the same trip with you, it is easy to download to theirs also

I have Garmin's Mapsource version 6.13.6. There is a map included in the software, but I don't see channel markers or buoys.

I'd like to create routes and then download to the gps.

Do you have to load a chart separately to show the markers?
Thanks,
Steve

Navionics also has an adapter to connect their chart to a PC. I have one and it does work.

I just got a Earth NC plus setup...

google.earth friendly

VERY easy to use

extremely good customer friendly staff

some of the landscape topography is outdated, but you get monthly chart/nav updates by email that are VERY accurate, which is all you really care about anyways.

I highly, highly recommend it....

JH

Yes you have to open the maps to get the detail.

True, that's how Garmin / Map Source makes their money; you have to pay to get maps un-locked. But I think it's worth it. Especially when planning trips and routes. Their Lake Michigan maps are very accurate and the computer interface makes it a no-brainer!