By design, Maptech chose to implement our Free Chart Service such that it would integrate seamlessly with our line of PC-based navigation software products. Thus, to make the process as easy as possible for our customers, we put the chart files (both KAP and BSB) into a self-extracting executable.

Those who wish to get the charts in a .ZIP format, can do so from NOAA's website:
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download.htm
These are the EXACT same charts that are on FreeBoatingCharts.com - we digitize them first, then provide them to NOAA.

-Ed Lecuyer
Senior Customer Support Manager

Can I overlay the free charts on top of existing Maptech charts that I currently haveon my computer without lossing the functionality I have with the Maptech charts. (functionality such as the pop up Notes, Marina and Geo locators, etc)

Ray,

You cannot overlay them on top of the Maptech charts. You can download them on your computer and view them in Maptech software, such as, Chart Navigator or Offshore Navigator.



-Justine Baldwin
Technical Support Specialist

I have downloaded a couple RNC charts from NOAA and have downloaded the Chart Navigator Software. I have tried to get the software to recognize the charts by browsing and rebuilding the chart list. No luck. How do you get the software to see the KAP and BSB chart files?

Instead of using the NOAA site and downloads - which are not optimized for use with Chart Navigator - download them directly from www.freeboatingcharts.com. This site uses the same NOAA charts found on their site (since we do the BSB conversions for NOAA) but are easier to find and integrate into Maptech's products.

That having been said, be sure you download both the KAP and BSB files into the following folder:
C:\ChartKit\BSBChart
This should work fine with Chart Navigator Pro.

-Ed Lecuyer
Senior Customer Support Manager

I am confused. I am using SeaClear navigation software. I bought the MED1 charts from Maptech, because SeaClear says: "The BSB/KAP file format is licensed from Maptech. BSB/KAP version 1-3 is supported." Unfortunately, it is impossible to install the charts in SeaClear. I spent 150$ for nothing. Could you give me a hint? Thanks.

As you note, SeaClear (a Windows PC-based application) supports version 1-3 of BSB charts. Their website, however goes on to say "Encrypted charts, like BSB/CAP can not be used." Because of the requirements of the various international hydrographic offices, all charts outside of US waters (such as those on the MED1 CD) must be encrypted in the BSB4 format.

When this format was created in 2002, we offered an updated software development kit to all of our partners so that they could support BSB 4 charts. I am unsure why SeaClear has not implemented this change - you may wish to discuss this with them. For more details, please see this Technical Document.

You may wish to consider using the Offshore Navigator software included with the MED1 CD. This includes all the features needed to effectively navigate with those charts. If Offshore Navigator is not to your liking, there are a variety of other navigation software packages (by Maptech and others) that will interface properly with BSB 4 charts.

-Ed Lecuyer
Senior Customer Support Manager

For those who do not want to mess with the clumsy and unreliable NOAA RNC site we offer a DVD with all the current Maptech BSB format charts..

http://www.gpsnavx.com/html/rasterDVD.html

I am having problems opening the free boating charts. Can you help? I have an HP and am running windows vista......how can i open them. I am not familiar with all the different file formats.

Thanks

Hi Geoffrey,

You probably received an email from Maptech with a confirmation number.
The email tells you how to download the self-extracting EXE file.
The self-extracting EXE file has the confirmation number as its file name.

Finding your download can be the challenge in Vista.
Your download is likely to be in a folder named "Downloads".
This folder is typically found at: C:\Users\YourName\Downloads
You can use "Computer" or "My Computer", at your Start button, to find the Downloads folder.

When you find the self-extracting EXE file, double-click on it, to run it.
The self-extracting EXE file puts the charts you selected into C:\Chartkit\BSBChart

Please see: http://www.maptech.com/support/doc.cfm?docid=412&plid=17

Wayne Pearson