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The Charts:

Made from standard raster charts.  You just can't beat the superb detail of raster charts.   Vector charts do not have the richness of detail, but are seamless.   At VMH we prefer raster every time. 

From a white paper by CherSoft, the company who produce "Easy Tide"  for the UKHO.  For a full understanding of the differences between RASTER and VECTOR charts download the white paper

Tap/Click thumbnails to see large image

Tap/Click thumbnails to see large image

Tap/Click thumbnails to see large image
 

When used with appropriate charts, the app can be used as a stand alone portable chartplotter using the Android tablets' built in GPS (and compass if present).  Routes, waypoints and tracks can be used and saved. Charts can be dragged around and switch automatically on zooming in/out.

 

AIS function has just been added  with an in app upgrade to ongoing AIS capability.   NMEA feed for AIS targets needs to be delivered by wifi network.  Small AIS units that provide this are available cheaply, well under £100.

Existing users of the app, can update to the "new" version via the Play Store (without charge) to experiment with the AIS function.  Existing working VMH chartsets will be unaffected by this app update.

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Why use an Android tablet ?                             

Because if you get a decent tablet with 10" screen , and built in GPS and compass using these charts in conjunction with "Marine Navigator" app (buy for about £6.50 in the Google Play Store) will give you a fully featured chart plotter, that's "stand alone" and complete. No connecting GPS sets, it's all there already.  The charts are fully installed, no internet needed (after installation) , use at sea.  Use in the cockpit or chart table.  You can get waterproof protective cases for the tablet too.  Long battery life, quick start up... what more could you want ?  (best in our experience by far.. Sony Xperia tablet Z)

Why "Marine Navigator" ?

Because we've found it to be so easy to actually use in real seagoing situations. The designer Ronald Koenig, is responsive and continues to update his app all the time.  It's versatile.. In addition to our encrypted charts, it can also use standard BSB2/3 charts you may already have.  For instance Antares charts for W. Scotland.  This app can even calculate routes using Great Circle (for ocean sailors)  or Rhumb lines.

"Marine Navigator is an offline navigator using raster navigational charts (RNC's) to plot your position in real time. This way you can navigate with true copies of official paper charts on your mobile device. This full version of the Marine Navigator provides besides the functionality of the lite version the following enhanced functions:

* automatic chart switching depending on current position and zoom level
* scrolling through all charts available for the current location by "press and hold" zoom buttons
* display of number of available charts for current location in the zoom buttons
* display of outlines of installed charts in active chart
* chart rotation (True North, True Course, Compass Heading, original chart orientation)
* tracks, way points, routes
* follow route automatically
* intuitive route editor
* gpx import and export of waypoints and routes
* gpx export of tracks
* recording of tracks in active and standby mode
* length of recorded tracks only limited by the capacity of the external storage (SDCARD)
* compass (magnetic north, true north)
* different dashboard layouts (basic data, detailed route data, detailed GPS data including graphical status info)
* Man Over Board (MOB) functions"

Our favourite feature so far:  Being able to point the tablet at the bows, "Compass Up", and having the "True Course Line" switched on.  This show as a dotted line stretching ahead the CMG by the boat.  So "at a glance" the navigator can see how much the current is having an effect on the boat at that instant. (Or leeway for that matter).

The "Compass Up" feature also allows you to positively identify buoys or seamarks from a distance, by lining them up with the tablet/phone.

Note:  Not ALL Android devices have a built in compass.

AIS screenshots

This example is using an underlying map, not a chart:

In this picture above both vessels have send position reports and static voyage related data (name of vessel, call sign, ...). The black dots show the last received position. The black lines show the predicted course. The position of the vessel is calculated based on the data of the last received position report (position, COG, SOG). The dimensions of the vessels are taken from the last received static voyage related data report. Capt. Morgan is selected therefore its detailed data are shown in the upper left corner of the screen and its track based on the previously received position reports is shown by a green trailing line. Capt. Morgan has not specified its destination. Therefore destination information is missing below the call sign.

This picture above shows a collision alert. The red line on the own course line shows the passing distance when the other vessel crosses the own course line. The red line on the course line of the AIS target shows the passing distance when the own vessel crosses the course line of the AIS target. In the illustrated case the own vessel will cross 832m behind the AIS target. The AIS target (red cursor) is selected. It hasn't send any static voyage related data yet. Therefore only data of the position report is shown (position, SOG, COG).

ALL COVERED UNDER OUR "IN HOUSE" (NO SENDING OFF) 6 MONTH GUARANTEE.EXTENDABLE TO 12 MONTHS FOR 20.00

EVEN IF YOU BREAK IT...WELE FIX IT HERE.UNDER GUARANTEE OR NOT..AT A PRICE THAT MAKES SENCE...EG  SCREEN REPLACE  50.00 .SCREEN COSTS US 42.00

WE DO NOT CHARGE LABOUR FOR REPAIRS IF IT IS OUR DEVICE.ONLY COSTS.