Laptop Nav. Garmin GPS18 and blue charts?!

[Lancer28]

I've been talking to Garmin about a solution to my problem with GPS laptop navigation, and everyone I get on the phone seems to be not completely sure of what to use.

Here is what they tell me:

Laptop - Toshiba P series
GPS antenna - Garmin's GPS 18 with street nav software
Charts - Blue Charts Chip

Supposedly, they will all magically work together to give me on the water chartplotter ability?

Has anyone else tried a different combo of items that worked?


Thanks again!

Robert

[Freesail99]

I think you also need a navagation program loaded on the laptop.

[BarryL]

Hello,

I have:
Any laptop with USB port
Seaclear (a free navigation program)
Charts for Seaclear (also free)
UT-41 GPS with USB outout ($30 at geeks.com)

It works great.

Barry

[sailingdog]

Robert-

Whoever told you this is full of SH!T. A BlueChart chip won't work or fit into the Garmin GPS 18, which has no chip slot, and isn't a chartplotting GPS IIRC.

What you need is an NMEA 0183 serial cable, and a USB-to-serial adapter if your machine doesn't have an RS-232 serial port. Then you will need to connect the GPS to the laptop and get some chartplotting software. (BTW don't forget to set the serial port on the Garmin to NMEA 0183, 4800 baud, 8n1.)

SeaClear would work, so would Garmin's BlueChart software, but it is rather expensive. I'd recommend getting something that can read the NOAA ENC format charts and download the charts from the NOAA website.

BTW, I would restrict using this to in cabin use only, since the Toshiba P-series doesn't like water much.

Originally Posted by Lancer28

I've been talking to Garmin about a solution to my problem with GPS laptop navigation, and everyone I get on the phone seems to be not completely sure of what to use.

Here is what they tell me:

Laptop - Toshiba P series
GPS antenna - Garmin's GPS 18 with street nav software
Charts - Blue Charts Chip

Supposedly, they will all magically work together to give me on the water chartplotter ability?

Has anyone else tried a different combo of items that worked?


Thanks again!

Robert

[Lancer28]

Thanks guys!!! Ordering now

[Lancer28]

Also - will report on what I selected and how well it works for other noobs to GPS cabin chartplotting.

Sailingdog, yep, it is only "indoors" I have the Hummingbird 787 out on the helm.

[Lancer28]

BarryL - Did you use maptech or NOAA charts? I was thinking Maptech would work great now that I have read through the Seaclear manual...

[BarryL]

Hi,

Used NOAA charts. Very easy once you get the hang of it with the mapcal program, etc.

To be honest I don't use the laptop with seaclear very much. I have a Lowrance chartplotter at the helm. When I use it, the laptop is below at the nav station.

Barry

Originally Posted by Lancer28

BarryL - Did you use maptech or NOAA charts? I was thinking Maptech would work great now that I have read through the Seaclear manual...