However, it was a setback for us as reviewers because we couldn't compare and contrast the two applications with other charting software (or with each other) without running two separate computers. We had to dedicate another PC laptop to Admiral, which had a different operating system and slightly different specifications than the machine we used throughout the series (see table for laptop specifications).

SETTING UP

Nobeltec is a modular charting and navigation application. You begin with a boxed set, to which you add raster charts and vector charts and optional add–ons called Plus Packs. In fact, the à la carte aspect extends to a 222–page spiral–bound User's Guide you must purchase for an additional $30. Personally, we think selling the documentation separately from the software takes the modularity concept a bit too far, particularly after spending $1,200. But, if you're frugal–despite dropping a grand for the software–you can download the User's Guide as a PDF document (see link).NOBELTECHOCENS WeatherNet ships with Admiral. For an additional subscription fee you receive downloadable weather data in GRIB file format.

Four Plus Packs are available for Admiral: XM Weather, Sailing, Bathy Recorder, and Tender Tracker. Admiral includes OCENS WeatherNet pre–installed, which means it is available should you choose to subscribe for an annual license fee and usage charges. You can also opt for the XM Weather Plus Pack ($300), which provides streamed XM Satellite weather data with a subscription and appropriate hardware devices. Unlike RayTech, MaxSea, Chart Navigator Pro and Coastal Explorer, Admiral does not include free weather downloads through their own server. Without purchasing a module, weather is constrained to Admiral's free, but limited, GRIB weather requests via Saildocs, an email–based document retrieval system.

The Sailing Plus Pack ($300) integrates lay lines, wind arrows, and polar diagrams. This module requires a GPS and a wind sensor that outputs apparent wind speed and direction. Admiral has added a folder with 50 default polars, ranging from cruising–class boats such as Valiant and Tayana to racers such as JBoats, Farr and Santa Cruz. You can choose to use these polars directly, or modify them for your particular vessel. You can also purchase a Performance Package ($250 member price) from U.S. Sailing, which includes polar diagrams and target boat speeds for hundreds of sailboats (see link). Using the apparent wind data, GPS position and your boat's polars, Admiral calculates true wind speed and direction and creates an optimal route (see photo).NOBELTECHSailing Plus Pack Polars and the resulting data establish a target level for sail performance. Here, a team would quickly see something is dramatically wrong (52% of target).

The Bathy Recorder Plus Pack ($800) enables you to record sea floor topographic information using your depth sounder, and then incorporate your data into a 3D display. This module is designed to allow fishermen or divers to create their own customized, highly–accurate sea floor charts.

The Tender Tracker Plus Pack ($1,500) uses a Seetrac Tender Tracking System to monitor affiliate watercraft, or even people if they carry the small wireless Seetrac Tender Unit. It tracks the location of up to 99 units, reporting back to your PC display. Note that you must purchase the Seetrac hardware separately, at about $7,500 for the first unit and $4,000 for additional units. Tenders can be tracked up to five nautical miles away, including boundary alarms to ensure children stay within range or to alert you of a stolen tender. Data transmissions are encrypted for additional security.

Installation of the Admiral base program and Plus Packs is straightforward, although Nobeltec's multi–step process of voucher codes and chart permits seems complicated at first. A Setup Wizard and a GPS/Port Setup Wizard guide you through the process. However, be aware that Admiral, when running on Microsoft's Vista operating system, may not properly check for updates. Our installation (version 9.2.2218) failed to connect to their Internet server. Jeppesen is aware of this issue and can assist you with a "workaround". Nobeltec VNS running on Windows XP fared slightly better: it did check for an upgrade, but failed to identify the existence of a new available version. In short, after installing either VNS or Admiral, you should go to Nobeltec's download site and manually obtain the most up–to–date version (see link).