A particularly nice feature is the 'Connect at Startup' option in File>Preferences. Many programs either automatically connect at startup or have you manually make the connection. MacENC's option to set connection preferences let's you choose what to connect and when.

ADDITIONAL CAPABILITIES

If you use Maptech's paper Chartkits, MacENC can register and use the BSB5 encrypted chart pages included on the included Chartkit CDs. All the GPS markings, course lines, headings, and inset outlines that are printed on the paper Chartkit will appear in your MacENC Chart window.

Not impressed? Then you should know that BSB5 files are not even supported by Maptech's own software packages, such as Chart Navigator Pro or The Capn. Charts formatted in BSB5 are only available with the purchase of Maptech Chartkits, and they can only be read by Offshore Navigator Lite, Maptech's viewer package, which is included on the CDs.

Indeed MacENC, can use and display several types of information beyond standard charts. For example, we had no trouble quickly downloading GRIB weather files from the Internet. Simply choose Weather>Request GRIB to obtain surface wind, 500 millibar height, wave, surface temperature, or air temperature data. A GRIB data file arrives instantly as an email attachment in your inbox. Then select Weather>Open GRIB, choose the attachment file and your weather data is overlaid on your chart display. There is no additional cost.

MARK AND DIANA DOYLEGPS port settings and satellite constellations can be monitored through separate control windows.MacENC includes data on tides by incorporating an application called Mr. Tides. Right-clicking anywhere on a chart and choosing Mr. Tides in the menu brings up a new window showing tidal prediction curves, in bright color-coding, for that day and location. You can advance to other dates or locations, or display a complete visual calendar of tides.

MacENC also recently integrated with Google Earth, giving it the capability to show satellite imagery of your present chart position. Obviously this feature requires a fast online connection - Google Earth is a bandwidth hog - but it allows you to zoom and pan over a satellite image of your chart area and use Google Earth to locate map features. This free feature is a great alternative to more expensive cartography that includes aerial or satellite views, such as Nobeltecs Passport charts or Navionics Platinum charts.

Seeing your location on Google Earth is cool, but what about displaying and saving your waypoints as a layer for Google Earth display? MacENC can easily transfer waypoints by saving a KML file to your desktop (Waypoints>Transfer>Export to Google Earth). You then open the file in Google Earth.

If you have access to a large format color printer, MacENC also has the ability to save the chart as a TIFF graphics file and print high-resolution charts. Unfortunately MacENC cannot print overlays of waypoints, routes or tracks. For this you need a screen shot tool.

Another interesting feature is the pen tool, which lets you annotate charts on your screen. Although a mouse is a crude writing instrument - Mac's Sticky Notes or comments would work better for this purpose - it does allow you to scribble marks for fishing holes or sketch out route ideas.

For sailors, MacENC has a SailTimer feature that computes the optimum sailing angles and target speed to an active waypoint using wind speed, wind direction and predicted performance. This functionality is usually reserved for much more expensive applications.

Finally, for serious Mac tweaks, MacENC can be extensively scripted, letting you write your own AppleScript code to automate tedious tasks such as batch re-naming waypoints.

ASSESSMENT

To sum it up, MacENC is an excellent choice if you already own a Macintosh laptop or are considering purchasing one. It's a mature, stable product that offers all the basic navigation features such as waypoints, routes, and tracks plus the ability to use both raster and vector charts.

It also has some advanced features, many of which typically appear only on more expensive PC applications. The ability to connect to AIS and radar, pull down GRIB weather files and integrate with Google Earth to obtain satellite imagery all fit into this category.

There were some imperfections, such as the need to resize the Chart Manager and re-configure your personal setting at each startup. And the refresh speed does lag at times, especially on machines starved for memory.

But the truth is you won't find better ease of use and capability on either a Mac or PC at anywhere near this price point. For boaters loyal to Apple's Mac at home or work, and who do not want to switch to a PC when you step onboard, MacENC provides a solid option.