Navigate

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Overview

Navigate is an integrated set of functions that automate many navigational and tidal calculations which can be time consuming and error prone if performed manually. It can be linked to a GPS to automatically receive position fixes and other information.

Warning: No National Hydrographic Office has verified the information in this product and none accept liability for the accuracy of reproduction or any modifications made thereafter. No National Hydrographic Office warrants that this product satisfies national or international regulations regarding the use of the appropriate products for navigation. Navigate is used to augment conventional methods of navigation or for trip planning. It is not to be used as the sole or primary means of navigation. Prudent navigators use several methods and cross-checks.

Navigate comprises:

Details

General
Navigation
GPS and NMEA
Virtual globe
Tide
Computer requirements

General

Navigation

GPS and NMEA

Virtual globe

Tide

Computer requirements

Screenshots









FAQs

Can I add my own ports?

Can I add my own tidal streams?

Can I add my own geographic places?

Can I have several windows open at the same time?

Can I skip the “splash” screen at start up?

Do I need any yearly updates?

How long are the tidal predictions valid?

My computer does not have serial port; can I still connect to a GPS?

What machines does Navigate run on?

What text file formats can be imported into Navigate?

Why aren’t the high and low water times for my port the same as my almanac?

Why do I get a warning when I try to add a new route by selecting waypoints from an outline?

Why do I get a warning when I try to import or open a new database file?

Why do I get a warning when I try to start a new route or course?

Why does the Garmin transfer sometimes fail?

Can I add my own ports?

Yes, all the required data are published in the Admiralty Tide Tables.

Can I add my own tidal streams?

Yes, tidal streams can be taken from your charts or tidal stream atlas.

Can I add my own geographic places?

Yes, they can be entered into the Navigate places database or loaded from a text file.

Can I have several windows open at the same time?

Yes, you can open multiple outlines and multiple tidal curves from the control panel. Multiple databases can be opened but there is only ever one window per database.

Can I skip the “splash” screen at start up?

The splash screen is displayed when Navigate is loading data. When this is completed “Ready” is displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. If you click on the screen or press a key the splash screen is dismissed and the control panel is displayed. However, make sure you are familiar with the information on the splash screen.

Do I need any yearly updates?

There are no yearly updates.

How long are the tidal predictions valid?

Tidal predictions are valid from 31/12/1989 until at least 31/12/2040.

My computer does not have serial port; can I still connect to a GPS?

Yes, if your computer has a USB port. You need a USB to serial adaptor with software drivers for your computer.

What machines does Navigate run on?

At present it is only packaged for Ubuntu 10.04 or greater.

What text file formats can be imported into Navigate?

Text files need to have tab separated columns with no quotes around the column text. There must be a column even if there is no data present. There must be no duplicate rows. For examples, try exporting to a text file from Navigate and then view it in a standard text editor or import it into a spreadsheet.

Why aren’t the high and low water times for my port the same as my almanac?

Generation of high and low water times depends on the data and algorithms used. Navigate uses the Simplified Harmonic Method and harmonic constants publish by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office.

Why do I get a warning when I try to add a new route by selecting waypoints from an outline?

This is probably because either the route name or short name is the same as an existing route. Change the name or short name of your new route. (Route and waypoint names and short names must be unique).

Why do I get a warning when I try to import or open a new database file?

Navigate maintains the integrity of the databases. The reference port for a tidal stream datum needs to exist in the ports database. Similarly, all waypoints in a route need to exist in the waypoints database. As an example, you cannot load a waypoints database file if it does not have all the waypoints required by your current routes.

Also, you need to use 'Import text file' to load text files but 'Open' to load existing database files. Make sure you are using the right option for your file.

Why do I get a warning when I try to start a new route or course?

Normally, this is because you have chosen to apply tidal streams to the course calculations but the required data are not available for your course. You can add the necessary tidal stream data, switch off tidal streams or use ocean currents. Navigate requires tidal stream data at about 20 mile intervals along your course.

Why does the Garmin transfer sometimes fail?

The Garmin transfer uses a proprietary protocol that is different from NMEA. Make sure your Garmin GPS is set to Garmin mode and not NMEA made. Check your 'NMEA talker port' and 'NMEA listener port' are set to 'none' on the 'Options' dialog. If you are having problems transferring data with a Garmin GPS then close Navigate, switch off and disconnect your GPS and then re-start.