[John B]

I'm looking for recommendations and experience with navigation software.

Here's where I am and what I am curious about....

My boat has Northstar GPS plotter's at upper and lower helms as well as Simrad GPS Plotter w/ radar at each helm. Both are tied into the boat's autopilot.

In addition I have Nobeltec software on my laptop. I primarily use the laptop to plan trips (off my boat) then download the routes and waypoints into the Northstar on the boat.

I use the Simrad primrily as radar, Northstar for navigation and laptop for planning trips. Laptop is also interfaced into GPS antenna on boat so can be used as a backup as well. Simrad is also backup navigation system.

I am not looking for a PC based system to run the boat with, but primarily to do my trip planning and download to the boat's navigation systems.

The Nobeltec software does what its supposed to, but there are some things about it that are either annoying or downright problems with it.

Biggest problem is it is almost impossible to get tech support - called and emailed and no responses - will have to try again if I don't junk their product.

Downloading to GPS/Plotter naming conventions are a real nuisance. Northstar handles short names. Nobeltec has no config for naming and duplicates names sequentiallly on each route. So each time I make a new route I need to rename all waypoints before upload - otherwise, the Northstar will keep the old name but assign new location. This should be in the Nobeltec.

Much of the help system in Nobeltec doesn't seem to exist. Many features are 'kinda there' but not really. For example they have info on ports - well most of it was never updated - you see notes for someone to call back from years ago and never did. This wouldn't be so bad if you could update the data yourself - well you can't.

Major issue for me is the non existant tech support and the cumbersome management of routes and waypoints.

On the Northstar the one thing frustrating is they don't have a set up as a repeater. So each helm is independent and you need either two nav cartridges or switch them if you move between helms. This also requires switchover between units for autopilot. You can upload/download waypoints and routes between units.

I'm nervous going to PC based nav system and like the hardware on the boat generally (Northstar is very easy to use). I am too nervous of seeing the blue screen of death on a PC based system, just when you need it most...

So I am primarily looking for recommendations on the software side for trip planning to download to the boat's nav system and has better route and waypoint management. I suspect the Nobeltec is one of the better options, but I think I would toss it in a second if there was a better solution.

Thanks for any feedback and experience with this topic

John