PC Plotter

Navigation Tablet with PC Plotter.

2012-01-27T11:10:00.004Z

You can now have a navigation tablet running PC Plotter and the tablet starts at a lower price than the starting price of an iPad 2 and with a larger screen!! With its included user interface for touch screens, PC Plotter on a tablet can satisfy a lot of on-board requirements. With the new version 6 of PC Plotter, NMEA can be received via WIFI and so you can receive everything including AIS targets. More information can be obtained about this tablet (and it can have PC Plotter pre-installed so its ready to go) from Technology Afloat.

Satellite Overlays in Navionics Platinum Charts

2012-01-11T14:28:00.001Z

With the advent of PC Plotter Version 6, we have introduced the display of the Navionics Platinum Charts Satellite overlay.

If you have a Platinum chart, then PC Plotter (and NavigationPLANNER) will now display the satellite overlay. It is simply a case of adjusting the Chart properties, to reflect how you want the satellite overlays displayed.

Select the Chart Tab on the ribbon, then click on Properties.

You will notice at the bottom of the 3rd column on the Layers tab, are the controls for displaying the Satellite overlays.

Use this to control how you want the satellite overlays to display - use the Transparency slider to either show a strong picture or "Maximum" to show a very transparent image.
The Satellite overlay is only available along the coastal strip and over the sea and only visible at certain zoom levels (it will not be visible if you are viewing a large amount of the chart , i.e zoomed out).

PC Plotter adds TeamSurv

2012-01-07T14:38:00.004Z

At the request of many users we have integrated the TeamSurv data collection into PC Plotter.

What is TeamSurv?

TeamSurv is a project that allows mariners to help create better charts of coastal waters, by logging depth and position data whilst at sea. On returning ashore the data can be uploaded to the TeamSurv web site, where the data will be processed and made available for viewing.
To join TemaSurv visit their web site at www.teamsurv.eu/.
How to enable TeamSurv logging in PC Plotter?

A simple Check Box on the Configuration Dialogue allows you to start collecting the data automatically.

Make a note of where the data is stored, and that is all you need to do.

Will it effect PC PLOTTER?

No - once enabled you will not even notice that it is running.

January 2012 - PC Plotter release Version 6

2012-01-06T15:35:00.003Z

After a busy year we have made a considerable number of improvements to the software, including, displaying Navionics Platinum satellite overlays, a new chart catalogue, removed the need for a special card reader and enabled the copying of charts to the hard drive.

So What is New for Version 6

This is a brief summary of the changes and improvements we have made for the first iteration of Version 6. For those of you with previous versions there will be a small charge to upgrade to Version 6 - see our Prices/Orders page on the web site.

Chart with Satellite overlay displayed

PC Plotter and NavigationPLANNER both now displays Navionics Platinum Chart satellite overlays. See our blog post about Satellite Overlays for more information
Improved Chart Catalogue and chart selection - the program will now select the whole cartridge and allows you to select any chart within the cartridge graphically from the overview chart. This process has also speeded up the chart draw and load considerably.

No longer requires special card reader

Chart cartridges can now be read without the need for a special card reader.
Direct support for Micro SD cards
Note, this option may require an update to the users charts.

Allows the copying of the charts onto your Hard Disk.

Charts may be copied directly to the user’s Hard Drive, and read from the hard drive
On first loading (1^st time only) an internet connection is required to register the chart.

Improved tidal stream display - Clearer stream direction arrows, and faster display
Faster chart load and draw
- Both chart load and draw are faster
- The complete cartridge can be read without the need to open chart files
  Improved routing across whole chart cartridge - Pan across the whole cartridge.
  Improved support for plotters - modified for later version of plotter software
  Searches across the complete chart cartridge

The “Port list/Go To Port” has access to the full cartridge, and enabling fast screen navigation.
Improved online activation process – Activation Codes by return.

For more details or to find out more then please feel free to contact us.

See the new NavigationPLANNER Version 6 on Navionics stand A125 at the London Boat Show

2012-01-04T14:28:00.001Z

The new NavigationPLANNER version 6 can be seen on Stand A125 at the 2012 London Boat Show at Excel. Updates are available to upgrade from Navionics Navplanner or NavigationPLANNER version 5 and this version allows you to copy the chart to the PC hard disk (assuming you have a chart purchased in 2011).
If you do not have a chart purchased in 2011 then take your chart cartridge to the London Boat Show and Navionics UK can update it AND you get a years worth of free downloadable chart updates.
If you have any version of Navionics NavPlanner OR NavigationPLANNER V5 you can order your update from NavigationPLANNER price/order page.

This same feature (to copy the chart to the hard drive) is also available in PC PLotter version 6 but again a recent Navionics chart is required. You can update Navionics NavPlanner OR NavigationPLANNER to PC Plotter version 6 at a reduced cost by going to the PC Plotter web site.

Using NMEA 2000 input with PC Plotter

2011-04-19T16:06:00.077+01:00

With the latest version of PC Plotter (v5.20) we have introduced support for NMEA 2000 If you have data available in NMEA 2000(or SimNet), then PC Plotter can both use the data and display information with the Panes we talked about last month.

With NMEA 2000 input you are able to receive all information through ONE connection, no more running out of USB ports. GPS, Heading, Wind, Depth, if it is available then NMEA 2000 will be able to display it.

Simple to configure within PC Plotter, but you will need to have an NMEA 2000 Gateway device of some sort.

What you will need.

Actisense NGT-1-USB NMEA 2000 Gateway

An NMEA 2000 data source
A method of connecting the NMEA200 to your PC.
We supply the Actisense NGT-1-USB NMEA2000 Gateway, which provides a direct USB connection to the computer.

With the NMEA 2000 data connected, PC Plotter can be now be configured to show all the NMEA2000 data.

What is NMEA 2000?
The NMEA 2000 standard is a method for Serial-Data networking of marine electronic devices. This is an open standard and most electronic manufacturers can provide their data in this format. Devices are connected using the Controlled Area Network (CAN) technology originally developed for the motor industry.
It is the successor to the NMEA0183 serial data bus standard, which has been in use for many years in the marine electronics field.

Data Panes - What are they about?

2011-03-21T10:38:00.171Z

With the introduction of Data Panes PC Plotter can now display all that instrument information you have, where you want it.

Heading, Rate of turn, Boat Speed, Depth, COG, SOG, True Wind, Apparent Wind, Water Temperature, you name it, if the data is avaialble through NMEA(0183 or 2000) then PC Plotter can show it.

Move and Size each pane, dock them all together, put one pane full screen on a separate monitor, the system will even work out when you turn off one screen and automatically put it all back on the remaining screen. Ideal for having information easily readable at a distance.

How to Add a Data Pane.

Click on the File Menu (top left round button)
Move cursor to Display (toolbars, panes Application look)
Select Create New Data Window
4. A New Floating Data Pane will be created for True Heading.

How to Configure a Data Pane.

Simply right click on the header bar of the Pane and select
Data window properties (and select the data to display)

A dialogue window will appear that allows you to specify the Pane properties.

How to Move and Size a Data Pane.
Moving the panes around is simply a case of left click on the pane header bar and draging to the required location. Panes may be re-sized by clicking on any edge (the cursor will change to a double headed arrow) and draging the edge to the required size. Note the characters within the Pane will automatically re-size as required.

How to Dock a Data Pane.

Docking the panes allows you to build up a stack or row of data panes. You probably noticed that as soon as you start to move the pane, arrows appear all over the screen. These arrow indicate possible locations for Docking the Pane.

In the image on the right, you can see the arrows indicating a RIGHT Edge docking(bottom right), and when the pane is in the correct position to dock, a shaded area will appear, simply let go of the mouse button and the pane will dock.

Panes may also be tabbed if you are trying to save space.
On the image a tabbed area is indicated in the middle, simply move the cursor to this and the pane will dock as a tabbed pane with other panes.

Automatic Docking
To automatically dock a pane, simply right click over the pane and change the checked selection from Floating to Docking. Alternatively just double click on a pane and the pane will either dock or float.
Panes will return to a previous docked position in both these cases.

PC Plotter adds AIS Support for SART

2011-03-14T14:12:00.027Z

We have added SART support to the AIS display within PC plotter.

In the image above you can see the SART target shown against the pier.

S.A.R.T. - Search And Rescue Transponder

A.I.S. - Automatic Identification System

PC Plotter Version 5.20 Released

2011-02-25T13:16:00.020Z

After a busy year we have issued a new version of PC Plotter.

Data Panes for displaying NMEA data -“I’ve got all this information available from my boat instruments and I want to show it on my plotter” –well we know what you mean, sowe have created Data Panes that allow you to put the panes where you want, dock them if required and size them as large as you require. How about being able to read the COG from the helm when the PC is down below on the chart table - yes the pane can be the size of the PC Screen.

Support for NMEA2000 - If your data is all supplied in NMEA 2000 then PC Plotter can now read it and display all the information. You will require the appropriate PC interface hardware (E.G. Actisense NGT-1-USB NMEA2000 Gateway)
This will connect directly to a SIMNET product.

AIS Targets List Page and Zoom to target from the AIS targets List - On the AIS properties dialogue we have added the Target List, and to make it easy to find a particular vessel, open the list, double click on the targets MMSI and the display will zoom to the vessel.

New Plotters supported - Support for the new B&G Zeus range of plotters, the new Simrad NSO and NSE range of plotters and the Lowrance HDS range has been added.

Anchor Alarm added -We have added a simple range based anchor alarm, simply select the Vessel tab then click on the Anchor Alarm icon and PC Plotter will alarm if the vessel goes outside the alarm zone. Easy to adjust to your own requirements’, within the vessel properties dialogue, the alarm is quick to use and easy to adjust.

Measure Tool improved -Ever wanted to leave a few position lines on your chart? We've changed the Measure tool so that once a bear ing/measurement has been taken you are given the opportunity of leaving the line on the chart.

Using the feature.

“Cocked Hat” – yes, you can now enter multiple bearings (ignoring the distance) and plot your position on the chart.
“Distance off” – mark a line off a headland
"Locating a mark" if you know its distance and bearing from a known position

Dutch Language Added -Dutch, yes our many users from the Netherlands can now use PC Plotter in Dutch.

LONDON BOAT SHOW 2011

2011-01-06T10:08:00.002Z

See PC Plotter at the London Boat show between 7th and 16th January 2011. We are with Sharpe and Tappin Technology Ltd (http://www.sttechmarine.co.uk/) on stand A4 which is right next to entrance N6. There you can not only get a demo of PC Plotter but there is hardware available to run PC Plotter if you want a dedicated on-board PC.
PC Plotter now has data windows that can be configured in an unlimited number of ways including support for a second screen which could be down below or on deck. Also the latest version supports NMEA2000 which is used by SIMRAD, LOWRANCE HDS, the new B&G Zeus and many other system manufacturers. There is also support for the file formats for these plotters and all their respective waypoint symbols.
Also on Stand A12 (Navionics UK stand) you can see the new Navigation Planner for which there is an upgrade from the very popular Navionics NavPlanner. (see http://www.navigationplanner.com/). This upgrade does everything that NavPlanner did but with a new user interface and support for more plotters.

Version 5.18 launches with improvements to AIS display

2010-01-05T09:14:00.007Z

Although PC Plotter has been though of as having one of the best AIS displays on the market, version 5.18 of PC Plotter has just improved the display even further and, as always, there is a FREE update for existing customers of PC Plotter.
Much more configurable text options and the fact that different settings can be applied to moving, stationary and threatening targets, makes the display not only one of the best but also one of the most configurable on the market today.
Some of the new features in the latest version include:-

Even better display of AIS targets with automatic removal of overlapping target text to give an uncluttered display.

Choose what text to show (and configure the text size) for "moving targets", "stationary targets" and targets that are classified as a threat.

Options to display AIS targets within a certain range

Displays the Closest Point Of Approach of an AIS target graphically on the screen (see image above, double click the image to expand the image). This allows the navigator to quickly see the threat and gauge whether you will pass ahead or astern (or some other avoiding action is required).

Different threat parameters can be set for moving and stationary targets.

Radar targets have the same features as the AIS targets.

DSC distress targets shown

Record sales and thanks to all our customers

2009-12-31T10:15:00.000Z

2009 has been our best year ever, even in the recession. After the major success at the London Boat Show, the rest of the year has seen our best ever sales and we would like to thanks all our loyal customers. Not only for buying the product but also for suggesting updates and improvements to PC Plotter. Without your invaluable emails we would not have such a great product for others to use.
Many thanks and a Happy New Year to everyone and happy sailing.

More than 3500 Nm completed this year

2009-09-20T09:06:00.000+01:00

One PC Plotter customer has covered a huge 3500 Nautical Miles just this year with PC Plotter. Dont forget to let us know your experiences.

"Sailing Today" review PC Plotter

2009-06-03T08:42:00.003+01:00

The July 2009 edition of "Sailing Today" has reviewed PC Plotter and it received the accolade of "RECOMMENDED" which is great news for PC Plotter. We have also updated the product to add a "Go To" feature for creating quick routes. Two clicks now allows the user to go from the vessels current position to a point on the chart. Get the magazine today to read the review and you can download a demonstration version from the web site.
DURING JUNE 2009 A NAVIONICS PLATINUM CHART IS THE SAME PRICE AS A NAVIONICS GOLD CHART MAKING A SAVING OF OVER £90. See price/order page for details.

User comments

2009-06-02T16:45:00.000+01:00

Its always nice to hear user comments about their use of PC Plotter and where they have travelled. This was received at the PC Plotter offices on the 2nd June 2009 from a customer who purchased PC Plotter for a trip from the UK to the Baltic.
All going well.
Would have no hesitation in recommending to friends.On passage to Germany changed plan from destination Helgoland to Cuxhavendue to weather forecast.Have been into the Elbe before but have never been into Cuxhaven.Entry would be in the dark.Had all paper charts prepared alongside computer with pc plotter programmed with route.On arrival at Cuxhaven not a mark on paper charts; Carol had navigated totally on computer.Many suggestions and comments but you supplied what you said was on box!
Well done. James.

Evermore SA920 USB GPS passes PC Plotter test

2009-05-11T16:34:00.005+01:00

A new product has been added to the PC Plotter range, the Evermore SA920 GPS unit which uses the Sirf III chip set and connect directly to the PC using a USB connection. The reason we added this product to our range was because we were impressed with the performance of the unit (the best unit in the Evermore range) and the nice features that stands this device above others. One such feature is the addition of a small connector in the cable so larger holes do not need to be drilled in bulkheads for the large USB sized connector. These simple ideas make it a pleasure to fit rather than a problem.

London Boat Show Success

2009-01-19T08:35:00.005Z

London Boat Show Success - As the London Boat Show ends, PC Plotter has had record sales and considering the economic gloom, we are extremely pleased. "It was a difficult decision whether to go to the show this year when all the competitors had pulled out" said our Managing Director, "But we are extremely glad we did and the new version was extremely well received by both existing customers and all the new customers from the show". Most of the existing customers getting the upgrade for FREE.

Also on the stand were mini PC's, GPS units, Comar AIS units and touch screens (from 7" to 15") sold by Technology afloat . These also sold extremely well. Some items sold individually but also complete software and hardware solutions using these PC Plotter compatible components.

Version 5 revolutionises PC Plotter

2009-01-02T10:06:00.004Z

(Click on image to see the image in more detail)
The new version of PC Plotter hits the streets with a whole new look and an improved ease of use. This update revolutionises the use of plotters by using the new ribbon interface (which will be used extensively in Windows 7) rather the traditional menu schemes. This means there are fewer clicks to use most of the plotter funtions. The ribbons have additional data enclosed within them. For Example, the "tides" ribbon includes the current date and time of the tide arrows shown on the chart and has options to advance an hour or go back an hour at a time. The "panes" (use to be called the information panel) on the right hand side of the display can now be moved, docked, hidden (and slide out when the cursor is positioned over them), pinned, tabbed and generally put anywhere on the chart display according to the users requirements. There is also a customisable toolbar on the top left that can be filled with commonly used functions although operations like zoom in, zoom out, man over board can be found on a new permanently displayed toolbar located at the top right of the display.
There are many other new features and enhancements including better support for touch screens and also for UMPC's (Ultra Mobile PC's) like the Wibrain I1 and the WiBrain B1 which can be used with an Aquapack waterproof sleeve on deck

Skandia Cowes Week 2008 - Waypoints

2008-07-28T14:44:00.005+01:00

To help all you PC Plotter enthusiasts out there that are taking part in Cowes Week, we have prepared a waypoint file for you to use that contains all the marks that could be used. They are added with buoys of the correct colour or where the marks are existing buoys, a coloured circle has been added as the symbol.
You can download the zipped up .wpt file from the Cowes Week Link. Simply unzip the file and then load the file "CowesWeek2008.wpt" into your waypoints.

Have Fun

Full system onboard Round the World ‘Where To Next’ sailor's boat

2008-07-11T11:16:00.006+01:00

Rob Clark's Round the World 'Where to Next" challenge has chosen a full PC Plotter system and hardware supplied by Technology Afloat (Sea Whisper ) for his boat Canasta. This includes a SW150 touchscreen display with heavy duty swing arm, SeaWhisper 2000 mini PC, PC Plotter 5000 v4 , the superb Comar AIS-2-USB receiver and starting off with Navionics 26XG chart. For more information on Rob Clark's unusual 'round the world' project, visit the W2N website

Hardware for PC Plotter

2008-07-02T14:00:00.002+01:00

Technology afloat (Sea Whisper) can now supply a complete computer system for use on board that uses very low power (so ideal for sail boats), very quite, at a reasonable cost and pre installed with PC Plotter. The system can also be supplied with a GPS, the charts you require and an AIS receiver or transponder.
All you do is plug it in (12v or 24v supply) and you are ready to go with the easiest PC plotting program available. So now it is even easier to install a system and get sailing.

Weather File download changes

2008-07-01T13:38:00.000+01:00

Raymarine have changed the location of their GRIB weather files and these details are stored in PC Plotter. These are stored in PC Plotter so that you can easily use a pull down list to choose the supplier and area of the world that you want to load weather information. Could not be simpler.
A new weather data file is now available from PC Plotter to implement the changes that Raymarine have made and all new PC Plotters purchased will include this updated information.

For existing users you can email support@pcplotter.com and get this update free of charge. Email and ask for the latest weather data file and the file will be emailed to you with instructions on where to save this file.

Happy Sailing from PC Plotter

AIS Transponder support

2008-06-23T15:39:00.003+01:00

PC Plotter has been able to use AIS receivers for some time but this latest release (V4.10) can now also support AIS Transponders. PC Plotter can be used to setup and configure the AIS transponder directly, without having to keep changing between the software package that is supplied with the AIS transponder and PC Plotter.
With the COMAR CSB200, the PC Plotter can also setup your MMSI number as well.
Making life easier for the PC Plotter user is one of our aims and this addition certainly makes setting up an AIS transponder much simpler.

Plotter for £45! (about 56 Euros or 90 US Dollars)

2008-06-09T22:08:00.008+01:00

Plotter hardware for £45, surely not!
The entrepreneurial sailor Charles Thompson has built the hardware to run PC Plotter for just £45! The system is running on a Dell Latitude CPi 233 computer bought from the web for £10 with no screen. The system runs Microsoft Windows 98, Mobile Intel Pentium II 233, only 48Meg of Ram and a CD drive. The system is run without the battery (to reduce power consumption). Also visible in the picture is the 12v to 19v DC to Dc converter.

The screen shot shows the splash proof screen which cost 35.00 from eBay with the PC plotter software running on it. The system is using a Rikaline GPS which has proved to be very reliable over 5 seasons. This last weekend the new setup was tested with great success on their trip across the Solway from Whitehaven to Little Ross Island out side Kirkcudbright.

Charles Thompson says "We have no objections to you adding this to the web site. It may encourage other users of your excellent software to have a go and that the only solution to chart plotting dose not have to be an expensive single use/operation plotter. With free WiFi in most places the computer is now an essential part of any sailor's kit especially for the weather, email AIS, radar, etc,. We now sail with two so there is always a backup with spare independent battery power something which my friends have difficulty with when using their chart plotters."

He went on to say "All we need now is to be able to interface the AIS with the plotting software for a full integrated system."

Round Britain Challenge starts

2008-05-27T11:09:00.004+01:00

Well, after several days waiting for the weather to improve Paul Churchley started on his Round Britain Quest today in aid of the RNLI.
PC Plotter is sponsoring Paul Churchley's attempt to go round Britain by supplying a full PC Plotter system with AIS and weather. Paul is raising money for the RNLI, a fantastic cause which we hope none of the PC Plotter users ever need. He is using the system to plan all of the legs of his route as well as logging the data of his trip. Onboard he also has a Lowrance plotter and so he can also transfer all the routes and waypoints to the plotter via the Navionics chart memory card. To see more visit the web site where you can also follow the trip Round Britain for the RNLI. The route he is taking can be found here and clicking on the numbers on the map will bring up the leg details Round Britain route. Please also think about sponsoring him.

PC Plotter with AIS support

2008-04-21T18:00:00.002+01:00

PC Plotter version 4.06 launches with support for AIS receivers and this is a FREE update for all PC Plotter 5000 customers.
This allows PC Plotter system fitted with an AIS receiver to show the AIS targets on the chart. These are displayed with the standard AIS triangle style symbol or, once the length and beam of the vessel is received the target is drawn the correct size. Also checkout the main PC Plotter web site for the simplest to install AIS available, the COMAR USB AIS unit. Plug it into the computer, plug in the antenna and you are ready to show all of the AIS targets on your PC Plotter chart display. What could be simpler!

PC Plotter sponsors Round Britain Challenge for the RNLI

2008-01-29T10:37:00.006Z

PC Plotter is sponsoring Paul Churchley's attempt to go round Britain by supplying a full PC Plotter system with AIS and weather. Paul is raising money for the RNLI, a fantastic cause which we hope none of the PC Plotter users ever need. He is intending to use the system to plan all of the legs of his route as well as logging the data of his trip. Onboard he also has a Lowrance plotter and so he can also transfer all the routes and waypoints to the plotter via the Navionics chart memory card. To see more visit the web site where you can also follow the trip Round Britain for the RNLI. The route he is taking can be found here and clicking on the numbers on the map will bring up the leg details Round Britain route. Please also think about sponsoring him.

Major system upgrade

2007-08-31T15:14:00.006+01:00

PC Plotter has a major upgrade, and the price stays the same.
PC Plotter 5000 has a major new release, version 4, that enhances many of the existing features, adds a new styling, and also includes a rewrite of the help files for Vista compatibility and to give better explanations of all of the features of PC Plotter. The upgrade, as always is FREE for existing PC Plotter users keeping up the reputation of the finest product support from any PC plotter supplier.
The new system may look a little different but it still operates in the same way for existing users, so updating is easy for existing customers. There are however other operational enhancements like being able to double click to center the charts, using the wheel on the mouse to zoom in or out, etc. There is additional support for the new Lowrance version 3 route and waypoint file formats (found in the newer Lowrance systems and when you upgrade your Lowrance software in your on-board fixed plotter), better handling of the Raymarine format files plus many other enhancements.
Contact PC Plotter for an upgrade from your existing PC Plotter version 3