Q: I use GPS USB unit and a laptop. So rather than put $ 1000 in GPS sea I hope to find good software and recently removed from a laptop with me. Make good software for this one I found searching the Internet, but not both.

A: instead of risking you laptop, just with moisture alone, not to mention rain or splashing, I'd look at an inexpensive marine one. here is the excerpt from one of my previous posts:


I was in your same situation last year, I think this model has been discontinued however if you can find one, its WELL worth the money ~$200. I bought one last year and have been nothing but pleased with it. The GPS chartplotting is outstanding for a unit this size and price, while you can not update the maps on it how often do things really majorly change? It has a good depth / fish finder as well with temp. I really cant say enough about it. It has all the major features, tides, moon, all the markers on the river (where I am atleast), route planning, all the data you could really ever need, and you can overlay the depth and temp data on the chart or the nav info on the depth finder, it does split screen...I could go on. Although I don't think it shows marinas, check a paper chart, then mark them as a waypoint on the unit, I always have a paper chart as a back up anyway.

Here is a link to a site that looks like they have them in stock and also a feature list. Might also check ebay.

http://www.johnnyspond.com/eacu250scoso. html.

Site produced by self-monitoring seems kinda overwhelming at first, but it very easy to use.

http://www.eaglesonar.com/Products/Combo / Cuda250SMap.htm.

Good luck!

Q: I want to download International Navionics maps for the marine GPS because they charge a crazy amount to load it on the GPS

A: http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/
See "Electronic Navigation Charts"

This next link is your software to run the charts. I not learned everything, but, it can be connected to GPS to display your boat in real time on the charts.
http://www.sping.com/seaclear/

I want to add, I load the KAP charts for it to work. I just learning this so not much of a Technical Advisor. I not sure of International Charts, I still trying to get the USA East Coast loaded.