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NOAA raster chart display apps


mhabich

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I've been looking for ways to display NOAA raster (RNC) charts seamlessly...pan from one chart to another and zoom in and out to the chart with the best resolution for that size (also known as quilted charts).  You can do this at the NOAA RNC online site, https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/RNCOnline/rnconline.html .  I also want to be able to draw a route and get distances, and pick points and get coordinates.  I've been using EarthNC, but they've stopped support.  Many of the available apps have annual subscription fees or charge for charts, even sometimes NOAA charts.

Good solution for iOS (both iPhone and iPad) and Android is SEAiq.  There's a free version that does a great job of raster chart display, and the charts are downloaded for offline use.  If you get the paid version, it adds vector charts (bah!), routes, waypoints, tide and current predictions, and lots more.  On board, you can get SOG, COG...  I'm impressed.

For a chart plotter for computer, OpenCPN seems to work well.  Again, seamless display of NOAA raster charts, easy to draw a route.  You can print chart sections, with routes you've drawn.  Like SEAiq, it's intended to be used on board for piloting larger craft.  It's free, including charts, and works on Mac, Windows, Linux...

Also stumbled on an iOS app, Sailing Quiz.  Good fun to check your knowledge of lights, buoyage...

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Jim, could be.  I saw that they had an Android app, but didn't check details.  The paid version for iOS with US charts is $25, and one that will accept charts from any source for worldwide use for $50.  They have one for piloting large ships for $400 too.

Working more with OpenCPM...great displays of current as arrows sized to flow.  Gives an intuitive understanding of currents in an area like the Piscataqua.

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I have been using GaiaGPS, an iOS app. It has integrated NOAA raster charts that adjust resolution depending on screen zoom, as well as GPS track recording, waypoints, and the ability to share recorded trips online. It will also automatically capture camera photos with accompanying waypoints marked on the charts.

I have not looked at the other options Mike described above but Gaia is a bit cheaper (from a yearly perspective anyway), at $9.95 per year.

 

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Another free (web-based) option for "currents as arrows sized to flow": http://deepzoom.com/index.html

My software displays seamless NOAA RNCs and allows you to plan routes and print custom maps, but it's Windows only and more expensive than the apps mentioned above. https://www.expertgps.com

You might also consider Google Earth with a NOAA RNC overlay: https://seamlessrnc.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/rnc/noaa_rncs.kmz

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