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Several people have asked me questions concerning the software to which I referred; there are several programs which will turn your laptop (or full size machine if your boat is big enough) into a chart/plotter. They all use stock maps which in some cases are proprietary and in others not so. Some even permit the scanning in of your own charts. Info tech. produces the Mariner 2 software for Windows which now cost $99.00; the maps cost $200.00 US per CD. Each CD covers a geographical area such as Southern Calif. from Pt. Conception to Mexico (Region 12). When interfaced with a GPS, DGPS, Loran, etc. the software will show your position on the chart and auto pick the correct chart with the best resolution. You can plan your routes, track your progress, etc. in short all that you'd expect from such a combination. YOu can also see a wreck on the chart, put the cursor on that point and the software will determine the lat/long and program in a waypoint, marker etc. What I really liked from the standpoint of pin pointing wrecks, was the plotting feature with resolution that would allow for placing markers all along a wreck and thereby determining which way it lays, and pin point the real center of the wreck without being thrown off by the wide circle of the area being covered by your depth sounder. In short, I'm tired of thinking I'm right over a wreck, throwing the anchor, and finding I was way off because the depth sounder picked up the wreck when I was as much as 200+ feet away from it. This should solve that problem and with DGPS I can get a fix that's repeatable so I don't have to do the same thing again the next time. (Same would be true of loran due to it's good repeatabiltiy). This has become a real problem here where the vis. is as poor as 10ft., it's dark, and the wreck is 250fsw deep. Similar programs are made by MapTech. which is alittle more costly and then there's also a program for the Mac. Demos and detailed information on/of most are on CIS in the sailing forum and come with one chart. I'm not worried about salt spray etc. as I have an enclosed cabin, but the shock on the Hard drive is of concern so I intend to check into this aspect. Harold H. Gartner III 6900 Via Alba Camarillo, California 93012 home: (805) 482-9743 home fax: (805) 987-6804 office: (213) 487-6240 E-Mail: hgartner@ra*.or* CompuServe 71470,1423
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