Similarly, NavimaQ does not allow you to float your cursor over an icon and display its function. Instead, it describes groups of icons. There are also some odd icon choices, such as an exclamation point (!) for chart information, and some inconsistencies in naming, such as calling a feature SpyGlass, Spy Glass, and Spyglass.
On the positive side, NavimaQ allows reasonable control over the user interface and adds some features not found in MacENC. If you're planning to spend a great deal of time navigating the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, you'll welcome the choice to view speed and distance units in statute miles, instead of nautical miles. NavimaQ also lets you customize your favorite screen display - setting window sizes, placements, and column widths - and save it for future use. Many other applications, including MacENC, do not remember all of your screen settings.
MARK AND DIANA DOYLENavimaQ's unique Spyglass function magnifies difficult-to-read chart information without distortion.WORKING WITH CHARTS
NavimaQ uses the standard interface when working with chart files. You can pan and scroll to view the chart. The charts displayed promptly, though the program performed best when working with a single chart.
NavimaQ has a unique and useful feature called the Spyglass tool. Clicking on this toolbar icon simulates a glass bubble chart magnifier, but without the distortion! This feature - perfect for us middle-aged boaters - is almost worth the price of the download. You can drag the Spyglass icon over the digital chart to magnify an area, letting you read those tiny nav aid or sounding notations.
Although NavimaQ automatically rolls up the next chart while navigating, a weakness is moving between charts while planning. The chart display is exactly like a paper chart on your screen, complete with the printed border and abrupt edge. Charts are not "stitched" together smoothly as they are in most other e-charting packages.
In addition, the application lacks a chart outline feature, which helps you choose the next chart. Panning the chart doesn't indicate which chart to use at what scale or when it's best to switch to a new chart. You must actively decide which chart you want by having a reference handy, such as NOAA's Catalog of Charts & Publications. Another handy feature is Chart>Scale In or Chart>Scale Out (or Apple + > or <), which changes the chart scale. You can use this shortcut to quickly move to a non-contiguous chart by scaling out, mousing to a new location and then scaling back in.
WAYPOINTS AND ROUTES
NavimaQ uses three different points of reference on charts: waypoints, logpoints, and chartmarks. Waypoints are navigational points and are used to create a route. Logpoints are analogous to tracks, showing your path over time. Chartmarks refer to non-navigable geographic marks, such as anchorages or marinas. As cruising guide authors, we obviously like this category. Chartmarks provide a place to put chandleries, laundries and dinghy docks for quick and easy visual reference. It is also handy to have a way to mark these secondary locations without bloating your waypoint list.
It was very easy to create a waypoint or chartmark using the icon-based toolbar. However, we did experience difficulty trying to save these points. What we found is that you cannot create waypoints, logpoints or chartmarks until you have created a file for each. Choose File>New>Select File Type and then choose the radio button for Waypoints, Logpoints, or Chartmarks. When a window opens, name and save the new file by choosing File>Save As.
Once created, you can right-click in the Waypoint File window, which displays your waypoints or routes and brings up a contextual menu where you can quickly add or delete waypoints.
MARK AND DIANA DOYLEA good waypoint directory allows you to "Scroll To" the waypoint (bottom left), centering it on the largest scale chart available.
