MacGregorSailors.com

I ran across this navigation software this morning. There are many free viewing programs out there for charts, but this is one of the only Free programs I've seen that provides a full GPS plotting function.

TIKI Navigator

Add some raster charts from www.marineplanner.com and you are ready to go.

But Duane ... I kinda liked your earlier suggestion that permits vector charts for a PDA (Global Navigation Software Co). Unfortunately, their programs range from $120 to $225, depending on feature sets you select. (Did not notice if they offer a trial version.)

BTW, a couple of years ago, I bought the Teletype GPS for my Toshiba PDA (CF card). I have also added a 256MB SD-memory card to hold maps. Unfortunately, even though the PDA has 64MB of main memory, it chokes badly on the Teletype software plus a small map segment. I'd like to do some testing in the car, so I really would like to try a vector solution ... do you know if a vectorized "streets" database is available?

For those who aren't familiar, vector charts are highly compressed "formula-based" maps, permitting the PDA to "compute" a map view for the immediately visible screen area. This definitely saves storage memory versus traditional "graphical" maps that consume megabytes of memory. It also potentially saves main computational memory, but that saving is indefinite.

There are no doubt many other choices for money. This is the first real one I've found for free.

For raster charts I still have not found anything to make me switch from my $99 Memory Map on both my PC and my Pocket PC. I've even added some topo maps and used memory map for an aero project I had as well. I have no problem with it on my AudioVox PPC (a Toshiba OEM) It has the standard slow 200Mhz processor. I keep the software and all my charts and maps on single 128Mb compact flash. I also have a separate 128Mb SD card for music, audio books, etc. that is always on board.

I tried out the NavPak product on the PC, I wasn't impressed with their choices in rendering the vector charts. I didn't try the PPC product.

For the Free NOAA ENC charts the product I have liked most so far is Fugawi. Not only does it do the free ENC charts it also handles all the other raster and vector formats. Unfortunately it only puts raster representations of the vector product on the PPC.

My favorite right now for in car on the handheld is the Tom Tom Navigator product. It is all vector based. For low price I also am quite impressed with the Microsoft Streets and Trips 2004. It doesn't do the 3d view of Tom Tom, but $29 for the entire US is tough to beat. It's PPC module works well with my Etrex GPS.

Thanks - I may look into both the TomTom and the Tiki software. Sounds like we're heading for Tahiti.