I guess I don't understand. I see a lot of comments on what computer based system has the best charts. Charts are charts. It's only how you display them that we are talking about.

A lot of people have a favorite program and know it well. I have found (during MANY years of a computer background) that most people's favorite program is the first one they got.

I have always thought that the program used to navigate is only a means to display the chart.

Like others, I do have some favorite stuff, but at the cost of hundreds of dollars, I can learn a new program.

I had a couple of nav programs that I paid for. I also had and used SeaClear (free). I have now downloaded OpenCPN (also a FREE) navigation program. I am finding it easy to learn and use. Just now it's a basic program. BUT, it's an open source program, meaning that not just one person owns the program and has a strangle hold on it. Others can write other code that can add to it. For computer backup computer nav, I am moving to OpenCPN.

Two OUTSTANDING things are that it was written by a sailor for sailors! AND it is CURRENTLY under construction! That means it new and will do nothing but get better! You can actually have an input to the program! All that is required is to go to the programmers site, read all of the items that have been request and let him/them know how you fell about what is important, or add a request!

As far as I know, programs don't get much better than that!!

A good site to see what may be added or add your input is at: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=180842&atid=894807

Greg