In the end, however, MacENC slightly edged out TIKI Navigator in this category for its vector chart support, GPX data exchange, integrated GPS transfer, GRIB weather capability, waypoint and route searching, chart printing, Google Earth waypoint and route exchange, and chart management capabilities.

But it was almost too close to call. For many, this will come back to a PC versus Mac debate.

$200 TO $400 CATEGORY

This includes Marine ENC, reviewed in October of 2007; BoatCruiser, reviewed in December of 2007; and Coastal Explorer, reviewed in November of 2007.

This category introduces you to the landscape of higher-end packages and their specialized features. Not only is the basic functionality of each program expanded and improved, but more chart formats and supplemental data sources are also included. Capabilities such as video camera support, full-featured tactical sail optimization, and side-by-side Google Earth viewing are possible. Additionally, customization of the user experience and of the data metrics becomes a standard inclusion.

This fall, we labeled Marine ENC the "Swiss Army knife" of e-charting software. Packed with features to attract varied sportsmen, there seems to be something that any user would find attractive. Fugawi also led the pack with NOAA free chart integration and Navionics proprietary vector card support. The Navionics relationship has been expanded and Fugawi demonstrated Platinum chart integration here at the Miami Boat Show this week.

NavSim has done an excellent job in their short existence. It is the most up-to-date application in user interface and general computing sense. BoatCruiser proved highly customizable, with frequent automated software updates and many features not typically found at this price point (such as track logging, a fuel calculator and sail route optimization). And, within weeks of their December review, an excellent automated chart updating capability was released just in time for Christmas!

However, as often takes place in these navigation software "shootouts," Coastal Explorer clearly distances itself from the pack. This program sets the standard for other e-charting packages. It seems to have all of the features one would reasonably care about, in an extremely well-thought-out and stable program, at a more-than-fair price.

Ex-Microsoft employees deliver a strict Windows look-and-feel and functionality, including multi-level "undo" capability. Benchmark search capability of literally millions of integrated Coast Pilot entries and points-of-interest (POIs) compliment a nice split window implementation, free weather downloads and solid waypoint and route management. A GPS port wizard, auto-route planning, full GPX support and robust instrument interfacing are icing on the proverbial cake.

$400 TO $1,000 CATEGORY

This included The Capn, reviewed in December of 2007; Nobeltec VNS, reviewed in November of 2007; Chart Navigator Pro, reviewed in November of 2007; and Raytech RNS, reviewed in November of 2007.

Many popular applications reside in this category. Consumers have been conditioned to think "about $500" for an e-charting package and have traditionally looked to stalwart offerings such as The Capn, Nobeltec VNS, and "Maptech" to satisfy their computer-based navigational needs. Relative newcomer Raytech RNS has come on the scene and is particularly attractive to boaters who own Raymarine electronics, such as the company's C-, E-, and G-Series.

All of these products are extremely capable and will fulfill the expectations and nautical needs of most boaters. The issue is horses for courses. Which of these thoroughbreds is right for you?

The Capn, as we stated in our December review, is getting fairly long in the tooth. Nobeltec is in the process of a chart format upheaval. (Much of which will presumably be stabilized by the Spring of 2008.) And while Raytech RNS is a capable relatively inexpensive addition to a Raymarine network, it remains a pricey, less-featured standalone e-charting application.

We almost feel lazy giving the nod to Maptech's Chart Navigator Pro, which is built upon the same base program as Coastal Explorer. But the truth remains that Coastal Explorer is a remarkable application, and in adding 15 DVDs of data–including complete U.S. raster and vector chart coverage, aerial navigational photos, shoreline topographic maps, satellite imagery and 3D bathymetric charts–for a mere $100 price premium, the Maptech-branded version merits serious consideration.

$1,000 PLUS CATEGORY

This includes MaxSea and Nobeltec Admiral, both reviewed in January of 2008.

Now who in the world needs an e-charting application that starts at more than $1,000? That's a fair question. It turns out, lots of people. And, as we discovered, these folks' boats weren't necessarily captained mega-yachts or around-the-world racers. No one blinks when you discuss multiple, networked chartplotters in the cabin and the bridge–or at a steering station and the nav desk. But what if your "chartplotter" is a PC?

What if you do have a specific need for sea floor mapping, competitive-level optimized sail routing or distant passagemaking and Great Circle route planning? Or maybe, like many of us, you simply don't know what your next adventure may be and where it might take you? A modular, extensible, without-limits solution that you only have to learn once may give you peace of mind.

In this category, we favor MaxSea. Both programs are so feature-rich that one reasonably has to assume a more complicated equipment setup and application learning curve. But MaxSea gets you out of the box and up and running quickly and with minimal hair-pulling.

It also edges out Nobeltec Admiral in better implementation of many common features and user expectations, including documentation, image quality, data exchange, waypoint and route management and search capabilities.

MaxSea also includes several features that Nobeltec does not have, or charges a premium for. This includes integrated and automated GRIB weather downloads, GPX data exchange, a tabbed-interface with layers, chart format support (ARCS, Seafarer, C-Map), weather routing and unequaled responsiveness.

And to top it off, MaxSea is available in a staggering array of base configurations and options. As we reported in our January review, even those looking in the "about $500" price range should investigate MaxSea Navigator+.

A LONG TRIP

Well, that's our series and we're sticking to it! After six long months flogging 15 very different PC and Macintosh e-charting applications, it comes down to 19 articles and 8 sidebars, around 80,000 words, and just five picks.

We hope you agree with our choices. If not, we invite you to re-read the articles and then drop us an email at authors@managingthewaterway.com. We'd love to hear from you! Any comments, clarifications, and corrections will guide us as we springboard from this series to our forthcoming book.

"Get Onboard with E-Charting" is due to be published this fall. The book will update the Mad Mariner software reviews and contain sections on the history and perspective of electronic position finding, e-charting basics, chartplotters, viewers and planners, full-featured software applications, electronic cartography, external sensors and instrument data, software data exchange, the interoperability of hardware, the future of e-charting, tips and troubleshooting, and lots of other information and links to relevant e-charting issues.