If you are cruising internationally–including Canada, Mexico, or the Bahamas–you must purchase your own digital charts, either directly from the Canadian Hydrographic Service, or a re-seller such as NDI or those listed above. If you want data extras such as 3D contour maps, shoreline topographic maps, or aerial and navigation photos, then consider the branded Chart Navigator Pro version from Maptech. This package includes the same software as Coastal Explorer, with Maptech's additional chart and data libraries.
Finally, although your vessel's GPS can connect to your PC to display your boat's position, you may want to purchase a small external GPS sensor. These tiny devices cost less than $100 and connect to your computer through a serial or USB port.
LOOK AND FEEL
If you value a hassle-free installation process, you'll enjoy working with Coastal Explorer. We had no trouble installing the software, databases or our external devices. In fact, Coastal Explorer's installation is so easy and automatic it attempts to autoload everything "nautical" on any disc you insert. If you are short of hard drive space–or just want to keep your system lean–intervene and don't load all the chart and data files.
Coastal Explorer is an elegant and carefully-crafted application that pays attention to details. Its careful design is evident in uncluttered screen layouts, quick access to information, and an easy-to-use interface.
There are no floating toolbars or overlapping chart windows, a common problem with many charting and navigation applications. This means your chart remains unobscured as you access the features and functions. You don't have to constantly "clean up" your screen display as part of your workflow.
To make the user experience even more efficient, Coastal Explorer operates in two display modes: Planning Mode or Cruising Mode. Even slicker, the display changes automatically to the most appropriate, based on your vessel's movement (or lack thereof). You can also toggle between the two displays by pressing the F12 key.
Planning Mode is the normal mode, providing tools such as creating routes or getting information from the guide books. It uses small Windows-style menus suitable for working at home or at the slip.
In Cruising Mode, the toolbars and the windows change to a chartplotter-like display, with windows showing instrument displays and position data (such as range, bearing, speed over ground, course over ground, and cross-track error). These displays are customizable in the Data Console. Cruising Mode displays large easy-to-read buttons and windows of virtual analog-style instruments.
Unlike many charting and navigation applications, where every task seems to require multiple clicks and window displays, in Coastal Explorer most information is literally a mouse-click away. Those of us who use computers extensively have come to expect a streamlined user interface. Coastal Explorer has brought this standard of software engineering into the marine computing environment.
Rose Point Navigation SystemsFollowing a route entering the Chesapeake Bay from seaward, Coastal Explorer labels the legs between waypoints with course and distance information, as you would on a paper chart.
For example, other charting and navigation applications typically have a window of data showing the bearing and distance to your next waypoint. But why have a dedicated window of data cluttering an already-too-small laptop screen? Coastal Explorer displays your magnetic bearing and distance directly along your course line, just as you would record it in pencil on a paper chart (see photo).
Similarly, all included NOAA paper chart notes are integrated into the chart display. One click on a small black rectangle containing the word "NOTE," opens that object and alerts you of a cable area or special anchorage.
