The Power of Navigation - SeaKnots2024-03-29T10:05:21Zhttps://seaknots.ning.com/forum/topics/the-power-of-navigation?commentId=900123%3AComment%3A192391&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noput a small solar panel on th…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-07-24:900123:Comment:1923912012-07-24T17:36:18.325ZPaddy Delaneyhttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/PaddyDelaney
<p>put a small solar panel on the boat , for about 100 bucks you will get what you need</p>
<p>try <a href="http://www.botcwindsolar.com">www.botcwindsolar.com</a> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>put a small solar panel on the boat , for about 100 bucks you will get what you need</p>
<p>try <a href="http://www.botcwindsolar.com">www.botcwindsolar.com</a> </p>
<p> </p> normal laptop runs t 6-10 amp…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-06-03:900123:Comment:1904652012-06-03T00:31:44.505Zzeehaghttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/zeehag
<p>normal laptop runs t 6-10 amps per hour. netbooks are too small to see bu use hardly any electricity---is your choice--for me, is either nav lights or laptop. either garmin or laptop. i choose garmin, simrad, and nav lights , thankyou. i see no reason to use my laptop for nav work.</p>
<p>normal laptop runs t 6-10 amps per hour. netbooks are too small to see bu use hardly any electricity---is your choice--for me, is either nav lights or laptop. either garmin or laptop. i choose garmin, simrad, and nav lights , thankyou. i see no reason to use my laptop for nav work.</p> Don't trust Navionics in the…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-05-27:900123:Comment:1903862012-05-27T23:50:55.645ZPeter Kaferhttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/PeterKafer
<p>Don't trust Navionics in the Bahamas!</p>
<p>Don't trust Navionics in the Bahamas!</p> Try the iPad 2 3G with Navion…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-05-11:900123:Comment:1893522012-05-11T19:15:39.353ZHenry Irlahttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/HenryIrla
Try the iPad 2 3G with Navionics Nav system. User friendly, power friendly, It is great.
Try the iPad 2 3G with Navionics Nav system. User friendly, power friendly, It is great. On our first trip, 6 years ag…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-04-19:900123:Comment:1887202012-04-19T04:12:09.158ZPeter Kaferhttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/PeterKafer
<p>On our first trip, 6 years ago, we used a laptop interfaced with a handheld GPS for navigation. Our second trip, we just used the handheld and paper charts. Slow, but accurate. Then, we got a chartplotter. There is no comparison. A laptop is a power hog and it is down below and virtually useless. Paper charts are great when you also have a GPS. But a chartplotter at the helm? Oh yeah! Is it infallible? Nothing replaces good research before heading into unknown waters. Use and…</p>
<p>On our first trip, 6 years ago, we used a laptop interfaced with a handheld GPS for navigation. Our second trip, we just used the handheld and paper charts. Slow, but accurate. Then, we got a chartplotter. There is no comparison. A laptop is a power hog and it is down below and virtually useless. Paper charts are great when you also have a GPS. But a chartplotter at the helm? Oh yeah! Is it infallible? Nothing replaces good research before heading into unknown waters. Use and understand the paper charts before relying on a chartplotter or a laptop navigation program. Laptops are OK, but definitely a cumbersome second best to a dedicated chartplotter at the helm.</p> My laptop uses 65 watts. Tha…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-03-26:900123:Comment:1875962012-03-26T15:07:30.789ZSteve Knighthttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/SteveKnight
<p>My laptop uses 65 watts. That's 5+1/2 amps per hour. A small inverter uses about 1/2 amp per hour. You can use half of a standard battery's rated amperage before it needs to be recharged. Using more damages it. Personally, I never use the engine battery for anything other than starting the engine.</p>
<p>My laptop uses 65 watts. That's 5+1/2 amps per hour. A small inverter uses about 1/2 amp per hour. You can use half of a standard battery's rated amperage before it needs to be recharged. Using more damages it. Personally, I never use the engine battery for anything other than starting the engine.</p> Radio Shack might have the co…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-03-25:900123:Comment:1874272012-03-25T22:11:41.307ZPCarricohttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/PCarrico
<p>Radio Shack might have the converter I use so you wouldn't need an inverter, though having an inverter also comes in handy for other stuff too. The converter has a voltage slider to select the voltage of your laptop, and a varied assortment of plug ends to match your laptop. Either your charger, the back of the laptop or product info will tell you what DC voltage your laptop is, and make sure to lookfor the C that will have a + or - sign in the middle indicating positive center or negative…</p>
<p>Radio Shack might have the converter I use so you wouldn't need an inverter, though having an inverter also comes in handy for other stuff too. The converter has a voltage slider to select the voltage of your laptop, and a varied assortment of plug ends to match your laptop. Either your charger, the back of the laptop or product info will tell you what DC voltage your laptop is, and make sure to lookfor the C that will have a + or - sign in the middle indicating positive center or negative center and match the plug.</p>
<p> </p> You can get a GPS receiver th…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-02-19:900123:Comment:1867442012-02-19T19:46:00.399ZAriahttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/Aria
<p>You can get a GPS receiver that plugs into a USB port for under $100 dollars. Mine sits inside the cabin and has never failed to pick up satellites.</p>
<p>You can get a GPS receiver that plugs into a USB port for under $100 dollars. Mine sits inside the cabin and has never failed to pick up satellites.</p> Well,
Everyone thanks for you…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-02-19:900123:Comment:1868182012-02-19T19:33:45.402ZPeter Scotthttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/PeterScott
<p>Well,</p>
<p>Everyone thanks for your input!</p>
<p>The bottom line for me is that the navigation software has great voyage planning features.I want to use it.</p>
<p>I do use charts for navigation, and have not wanted to spend the money on a standlone GPS by the helm. I just purchased an inverter, and I am going to keep the laptop below deck, use it as necessary, and keep the charts next to me.</p>
<p>I did some research and figured the amperage I will need, and for just one item running, I…</p>
<p>Well,</p>
<p>Everyone thanks for your input!</p>
<p>The bottom line for me is that the navigation software has great voyage planning features.I want to use it.</p>
<p>I do use charts for navigation, and have not wanted to spend the money on a standlone GPS by the helm. I just purchased an inverter, and I am going to keep the laptop below deck, use it as necessary, and keep the charts next to me.</p>
<p>I did some research and figured the amperage I will need, and for just one item running, I am sure a laptop, wont give me any problems. Glad I have two batteries,so I am not worried, I will do alot of trial and error work, and see what works best.</p>
<p>O.K. I probably will buy the standalone GPS, glad I got that out!</p>
<p>I also looked into some solar cells, which may suffice for as a secondary back-up. Its just I like the software, and expect to get my use from it.If I start spending the cash, I should just buy tthe GPS and do the voyage planning before I leave.</p>
<p>Oh who knows its Sunday!!</p>
<p>Thanks for all who answered, stay tuned for my next set of questions! </p> I have Polar Navy on my lapto…tag:seaknots.ning.com,2012-02-19:900123:Comment:1868872012-02-19T18:35:13.848ZJohn V. G. Maytonhttps://seaknots.ning.com/profile/JohnVGMayton
<p>I have Polar Navy on my laptop. I used it, ActiveCaptian; when available, along with a hand held GPS, and a chart book when coming up from Florida. The laptop sat below, hand held GPS along with chart book were at the helm. At night I used ship's batteries to power the laptop through the inverter without problem. With two solar panels mounted on the aft hand rails along with the engine running all day as we motored north the batteries stayed topped off. I suspect that I'll get a chart…</p>
<p>I have Polar Navy on my laptop. I used it, ActiveCaptian; when available, along with a hand held GPS, and a chart book when coming up from Florida. The laptop sat below, hand held GPS along with chart book were at the helm. At night I used ship's batteries to power the laptop through the inverter without problem. With two solar panels mounted on the aft hand rails along with the engine running all day as we motored north the batteries stayed topped off. I suspect that I'll get a chart plotter that combines everything into one display at the helm and keep the depth, speed, wind, and computer below decks as a backup. On the other hand, I might just revert to sextent and a wet finger, along with a lead line.</p>