Canadian Boaters - Great Lakes - CHS Digital Charts

[rcmpvet]

New Season, new location and I need new charts. CHS Csr could not answer my question, although I am assuming that the digital charts can be viewed on a tablet, laptop or PC but not in a standalone GPS plotter (S.I. Specifically). Anyone here use the new digital charts, a lot cheaper than having to purchase the paper charts. Which format to chose, I am assuming Raster imaging and do I need specific apps on my laptop.

My GPS Plotter is NEMA compatible, so what type of cabling would I need to plug into the laptop (USB most likely) for real time plotting?

EDIT - Found the information on NEMA to USB. Not enough coffee to start my day.:sleeping:

 

[wrench 3]

I'm using CHS raster charts on a tablet for navigation and on my laptop for backup. I'm using a Memory Map app on both. They offer a free trial period and then there is a one time licence fee. I've been using it for about eight years now and the fee was quite reasonable at that time.

 

[rcmpvet]

Thank you for that information. I was able to find and look at the Memory Map App but I still have one question: Can the map be looked at without an App. CHS FAQs mention I need Windows 7 Pro as a minimum (which I have) but they also state that you need something else (APP) or I am just not comprehending their FAQs.

The reason I ask is that the Digital Chart is a lot cheaper than the paper maps I would need, however I am not sure if the Memory Map is really needed as I do not intend to go much further than where I will now be docked (Iroquois). Getting too old to do much cruising. Ouch did I just say too old?

 

[wrench 3]

You do have to have an app to view the charts. When I originally got mine the CHS website had a list of apps but they all required the purchase of a licence. As I mentioned, it's been a few years since I got mine but at that time it was under $50.00 for the base licence and an additional licence to download third party maps. Since then I've changed computers twice, changed my mobile device from Windows base to Android and got an updated app all at no extra cost.
P.S. You're never to old to go cruising. Do like I do and get the grand kids to crew.

 

[rcmpvet]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Your mentioning GC reminded me that my 19 year old grandson will be coming with me on the sail from St. Kitts to Iroquois. I am going to use the opportunity to get him to navigate and some time in St. Kitts to practice docking, etc as this vessel is twin engine. That said and because I want to teach him to navigate I decided to get the paper charts. No use learning how to navigate with electronics in case something goes wrong. Best to teach him paper chart and compass the GPS will be his bonus once he learns the basics.

Thanks again for your insight.

 

[wrench 3]

I don't have GPS on the laptop, only on the tablet but I like it for backing up the charts because if I have to resort to the compass, I draw a line on the chart and it gives me the heading. Instead of trying to use parallel rulers to transfer the compass on the chart to the route.
I still remember the first time I navigated on open water. It was quite a feeling when we wound up right were we were supposed to be. I can't see how navigating with GPS could ever be that satisfying.

 

[jhebert]

Digital charts are in special file formats. In order to view the charts you must use an application that can read the file format and convert the data in the file to a graphic representation. Typically a specialized chart viewing app is necessary.

The chart files work with ANY computer operating system; they are just data files. They work like ALL data files: to read the file you need an application that knows how to read the file format and present the information.

The CHS files you buy are encrypted. To unlock them a specific encryption key must be used. Typically the CHS files can only be decrypted and copied to a file directory on a specific computer, that is, you cannot copy them freely to another computer.