"spdevel" wrote:

Be aware that a number of Maptech products, including their online server,
CANNOT be used for navigation purposes.

Woah Nelly! I downloaded Maptech's Outdoor Navigator demo and got on the
server to download many charts. There was nothing warning me that they
CANNOT be used for navigation. There was a warning that told me it should
not be used as the sole source of navigation information. Of course you
shouldn't rely on any one thing.

Maptech has an exclusive agreement with NOAA. They are the only ones who
get the masters from NOAA. No one else does this. Everyone else just
rescans hardcopy charts. There is a large difference in quality. I've
tried them all and I wouldn't trust my boat to anything other than Maptech
charts.

If you like SoftCharts....by all means, use them. I just hope that our
paths never cross 'cause you're gonna be off course!

Because of the exclusive partnership between Maptech and NOAA for BSB chart
material (access to the vellums or raw NOAA data), Maptech digital charts are
certified for Navigation by NOAA as stated on their website. Scanning the paper
charts also produces excellent digital charts, as shown by Softcharts (and
others) I have, in fact, compared Softcharts and BSB charts side by side in VNS
and have been unable to see any real differences. They use the same photo
charts, BTW, so it is easy to compare positions of landmarks/seamarks.
Certainly you are free to believe Maptech is somehow significantly superior
(just read their ads!), but Softcharts is certainly competent to scan charts and
produce accurate digital files from them-their customer base and comments say
that is true, and comparison of individual charts supports it. Softcharts
provides accurate charts, excellent customer service and reasonable individual
chart prices in spite of Maptech propaganda. I don't see a "not for navigation"
disclaimer on Softcharts either-their site says they are "especially enhanced
for marine navigational use." Maptech has made a business decision to
incorporate format changes and registration processes which cause compatibility
and mobility issues, and many of their customers and partners are resisting.
Softcharts is one well-established alternative.

Softcharts is one well-established alternative.

Yep. It is an alternative. So is guessing where you are. I've checked
them all out too and you're wrong or else you work for SoftCharts and are
getting paid to push that nonsense propaganda.

Just think about it. Scanning a paper chart is wrought with paper
stretching and other inaccuracies (think about the slight angle rotation
caused by the scanner pulling the paper in). This doesn't happen when you
are the exclusive partner to NOAA like Maptech is.

I have nothing to gain by having others use their charts - like I said, go
buy them. I just couldn't sit by while I saw incorrect "facts" written on
this group.

By the way, I wish the new CD's weren't protected either. I can understand
that Maptech wants to stop others from stealing their products. To be
honest, it doesn't really effect me since I purchase the products I use
anyway. I guess if you're used to stealing your friends CD's, then this
must really **** ya off...

Softcharts is one well-established alternative.

Yep. It is an alternative. So is guessing where you are. I've checked
them all out too and you're wrong or else you work for SoftCharts and are
getting paid to push that nonsense propaganda.

Just think about it. Scanning a paper chart is wrought with paper
stretching and other inaccuracies (think about the slight angle rotation
caused by the scanner pulling the paper in). This doesn't happen when you
are the exclusive partner to NOAA like Maptech is.

I have nothing to gain by having others use their charts - like I said, go
buy them. I just couldn't sit by while I saw incorrect "facts" written on
this group.

By the way, I wish the new CD's weren't protected either. I can understand
that Maptech wants to stop others from stealing their products. To be
honest, it doesn't really effect me since I purchase the products I use
anyway. I guess if you're used to stealing your friends CD's, then this
must really **** ya off...

On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 13:04:49 -0500 (EST), (Ron Thornton)
wrote:

As I recall, every time I have looked at the free charts there is a
disclaimer "not for navigation" on them. Is this because the resolution
and detai is not as high as the commercial charts or is it just
government. "CYA".

Yes.

Even though they say not for navigation, they are pretty good for trip
planning. I take the free digital charts and use oziexplorer and
gpsmapper to create my own little maps, POIs and waypoints for my eTrex.

Steve

On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 13:04:49 -0500 (EST), (Ron Thornton)
wrote:

As I recall, every time I have looked at the free charts there is a
disclaimer "not for navigation" on them. Is this because the resolution
and detai is not as high as the commercial charts or is it just
government. "CYA".

Yes.

Even though they say not for navigation, they are pretty good for trip
planning. I take the free digital charts and use oziexplorer and
gpsmapper to create my own little maps, POIs and waypoints for my eTrex.

Steve

I have been using Maptech digital charts for over 10 years, and have added
selected SoftCharts as a useful supplement. I have no issue with SoftChart
charts, have used them extensively in the US and Mexico, and would be happy to
use them again. If you have any facts besides the warm feelings for Maptech
because they have the NOAA contract many of us would be interested-please point
out the which statements are incorrect and provide some correct "facts". How do
flatbed scanners stretch and rotate the images, for example. If you are
uncomfortable leaving Maptech, OK, but I fail to understand the basis for your
statements. Have you personally had bad experiences with specific SoftCharts?
CD protection is another issue, because of the inability to recover from a crash
that it causes. Nobeltec deals with this well over the phone, and offers a
"dongle" if you will be in a remote location. What does Maptech offer?
"spdevel" wrote:

Softcharts is one well-established alternative.

Yep. It is an alternative. So is guessing where you are. I've checked
them all out too and you're wrong or else you work for SoftCharts and are
getting paid to push that nonsense propaganda.

Just think about it. Scanning a paper chart is wrought with paper
stretching and other inaccuracies (think about the slight angle rotation
caused by the scanner pulling the paper in). This doesn't happen when you
are the exclusive partner to NOAA like Maptech is.

I have nothing to gain by having others use their charts - like I said, go
buy them. I just couldn't sit by while I saw incorrect "facts" written on
this group.

By the way, I wish the new CD's weren't protected either. I can understand
that Maptech wants to stop others from stealing their products. To be
honest, it doesn't really effect me since I purchase the products I use
anyway. I guess if you're used to stealing your friends CD's, then this
must really **** ya off...

I have been using Maptech digital charts for over 10 years, and have added
selected SoftCharts as a useful supplement. I have no issue with SoftChart
charts, have used them extensively in the US and Mexico, and would be happy to
use them again. If you have any facts besides the warm feelings for Maptech
because they have the NOAA contract many of us would be interested-please point
out the which statements are incorrect and provide some correct "facts". How do
flatbed scanners stretch and rotate the images, for example. If you are
uncomfortable leaving Maptech, OK, but I fail to understand the basis for your
statements. Have you personally had bad experiences with specific SoftCharts?
CD protection is another issue, because of the inability to recover from a crash
that it causes. Nobeltec deals with this well over the phone, and offers a
"dongle" if you will be in a remote location. What does Maptech offer?
"spdevel" wrote:

Softcharts is one well-established alternative.

Yep. It is an alternative. So is guessing where you are. I've checked
them all out too and you're wrong or else you work for SoftCharts and are
getting paid to push that nonsense propaganda.

Just think about it. Scanning a paper chart is wrought with paper
stretching and other inaccuracies (think about the slight angle rotation
caused by the scanner pulling the paper in). This doesn't happen when you
are the exclusive partner to NOAA like Maptech is.

I have nothing to gain by having others use their charts - like I said, go
buy them. I just couldn't sit by while I saw incorrect "facts" written on
this group.

By the way, I wish the new CD's weren't protected either. I can understand
that Maptech wants to stop others from stealing their products. To be
honest, it doesn't really effect me since I purchase the products I use
anyway. I guess if you're used to stealing your friends CD's, then this
must really **** ya off...

On 15 Jan 2004 20:02:06 GMT, (Baybyter) wrote:

Be aware that a number of Maptech products, including their online server,
CANNOT be used for navigation purposes. Im not quite sure just what one would
do with these non-navigational products, but perhaps they are suitable for
wrapping fish...

Maptech tends hide their disclaimer about what their products may be used for,
or what they are not useful for. Pretty sleazy way to do business.

Lots of things, including GPS receivers, come up with such a lawyerly
disclaimer. I think it would be hard to wrap a fish in a GPS receiver,
although I admit I have never tried. :-)


Rodney Myrvaagnes Opionated old geezer

Faith-based economics: It's deja voodoo all over again

On 15 Jan 2004 20:02:06 GMT, (Baybyter) wrote:

Be aware that a number of Maptech products, including their online server,
CANNOT be used for navigation purposes. Im not quite sure just what one would
do with these non-navigational products, but perhaps they are suitable for
wrapping fish...

Maptech tends hide their disclaimer about what their products may be used for,
or what they are not useful for. Pretty sleazy way to do business.

Lots of things, including GPS receivers, come up with such a lawyerly
disclaimer. I think it would be hard to wrap a fish in a GPS receiver,
although I admit I have never tried. :-)


Rodney Myrvaagnes Opionated old geezer

Faith-based economics: It's deja voodoo all over again

I have been using Maptech digital charts for over 10 years, and have added
selected SoftCharts as a useful supplement.

Gee Ed, do you have a computer setup at the helm of your J40 so you'd know
actively where you were at a particular time while underway?