Introduction: please read first

If you are NOT computer savvy, PLEASE buy the USB versions of Unified Charts. Easier to set up than the download versions, and portable between Windows machines.

If unsure what's suitable for you, phone 01983 293757 Mon-Fri 11 am to 4 pm and we'll run through things with you.

Read on....

Unified Charts...
Can do everything and more than any existing "For Nav" chart packages we make

Did you know...

You probably ALREADY OWN the most powerful chart plotting equipment you can buy
(...a Windows machine or an Android tablet)

Try out passage planning, chart-plotting or maybe just browsing and dreaming, on a BIG SCREEN. At home. At work. Or actually navigating on your boat. You won't go back...

2019 Editions available for instant download and Windows activation NOW

You'll be using the latest charts at all available scales

Is power consumption an issue for you when navigating onboard?

Instead of using a Windows laptop...

You could swap to an Android tablet when on-board. Decent Android tablets use very little power, have built in GPS, and start almost instantly.

Using exactly the same charts, but running in an app.

Using routes you've planned on the big screen Windows plotter if required, or prepare routes on the tablet.

Up to 2 Android activations allowed within ONE year of purchase in addition to Windows use (Needs "Marine Navigator" app from the PlayStore, costs about £6.50 OR the qtVLm app, about £20)

Or maybe....

Maybe consider a Windows 10" tablet like the LINX 10-10.

A full Windows PC .. in touchscreen tablet form. Works great with Unified Charts and set up for touchscreen use. Using a Bluetooth GPS for tablet portability, or with AIS, GPS, etc hardwired in via USB for maximum functionality. Power draw when charging 10 watts, charge from a cigar lighter (12v) adapter.

It does what it says on the tin:

Unified Charts... an incredibly versatile piece of kit It can transform equipment you probably already own into powerful planning and NAVIGATING tools. Just what you need when out there in the shipping lanes... or negotiating a foggy estuary.

Which nav program is the best to use ?

Unified Charts will work with standard versions of the following:

Marine Navigator qtVlm SeaClear OpenCPN Polar View Expedition

Our take on it...

qtVlm is a modern fully featured cross platform nav and weather/tide routeing program. Excellent instrumentation, simulation modes and easy default Widows install direct from Unified Charts media. Steeper learning curve than some, perfect for racing sailboats. Free (Windows), bundled

SeaClear is simple, reliable and bomb proof. Best image quality of the lot. Free, bundled.

OpenCPN, Popular open source program, image quality improved recently, Free, bundled.

Expedition is a specialist yacht racing program, used by professionals, not cheap.

Polar View is a crisp fast uncluttered program, with good image quality. About £30, 30 day trial bundled.

Mobile Use

Marine Navigator on Android is a best seller, self contained, powerful and easy to use. Excellent image quality. About £6.50 from Google Play Store. Charts bundled.

qtVlm is also available for iOS and Android. The SAME charts used for the Windows installation can be used for mobile use, and are activated in the same way as Marine Navigator charts, using unlock codes provided.

£33.00 UK+Ireland

(Or £23 for members) HERE

This package contains over 800 UK/Ireland charts at all scales from harbour plan to overview. Channel Islands to the Shetlands. Atlantic coasts of Ireland to the North Sea.

Charts will work with OpenCPN, SeaClear,Polar Navy, & Expedition. Take your pick !

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PLUS the same charts in Android compatible format, ready for you to install on up to 2 tablets/phones

Move around a bit more than just the UK ?

Continental coverage available from Azores to Menorca, Canaries to Shetlands, inc. France. From £27.50 Click HERE

SHOM Charts in OpenCPN

Quick Summary

Get up and running within an hour on Windows
Free SeaClear and OpenCPN navigation softwares included. Max 2 Windows installations.
Also works with Polar Navy and Expedition softwares
Android installation ability built in. License allows up to 2 Android installations in addition to Windows use.
Charts are licensed "For Navigation"
All by instant download, OR available on a portable USB stick
GPS compatible Compatible GPS
AIS compatible Windows programs all work with the NASA AIS engine and many others
Expandable to other areas, Med, US, West Indies etc.

Windows : You are allowed to put the downloaded charts onto max 2 Windows machines (one working and one backup installation) , and 2 androids. All installations and registrations must be carried out within FIRST year of initial purchase, or they will be lost. Charts don't expire. Installations are not transferable.

For Windows: System Requirements: Windows Vista, Windows 7. Windows 8.1 and 10. 32 or 64 bit. Not for Windows XP or lower, or virtual Windows installations running on Macs or Linux. Note: USB ports required to connect GPS and/or AIS if needed. Mouse recommended for ease of use. Internet connection required for downloads and registration ONLY. Full telephone support for buyers.

TIP: Try plugging your windows computer into a BIG SCREEN for passage planning at home.

Android installation for Marine Navigator app is via download. Charts are transferred to "Marine Navigator", the Android app. There is a registration proceedure via email and package is locked to the Android device. Will install on Android 2.3 upwards. Needs "Marine Navigator" app by Ronald Koenig, about £6.50 from the PlayStore. These Android charts will not work in any app other than Marine Navigator.

Choose area coverage and Buy NOW

Downloads: £27.50 to £70 depending on area(s) needed. Members prices £20 to £60

Click HERE

Charts are fully licensed FOR NAVIGATION. You are allowed maximum 2 Windows installations and 2 Android installations

Prefer a physical product to keep and hold ?

All the chart packages are available on special USB sticks (£15 extra). The USB version gives full portability between Windows machines, and still allows you 2 Android installaitions in addition.

USB needs to be plugged in to Windows machines at all times, and is fractionally slower than the download version...but portable.

30 day no quibble money back guarantee on all physical products

.For Windows users who are in the habit of breaking machines, changing machines, doing fresh system re-installs, using other peoples machines.. or are planning to upgrade machines... The best plan is to fork out the extra few pounds and buy the special USB dongle. With full portability, you won't loose your chart installation. Again, on dongle charts don't actually expire.

Remember, here at VisitMyHarbour we have been vetted and are "Approved by Trading Standards" We've earned that "Buy with Confidence" logo.

Want some tech help ? Advice ? You'll get someone with real seagoing experience, who know what they are talking about, and above all ENJOYS talking to you....

Questions ? 01983 293757 Mon-Fri 11am to 4 pm We're easy to get hold of.

OK, what is this all about ? What can I do with this download package ?

So, you have a boat and you get out to sea a bit ? You normally stick close to base but sometimes you move further afield, away from your "comfort zone". Perhaps you just dream of passage making around our coastline. Maybe you trailer sail to new destinations during the summer. Possibly you've got some RYA qualifications and plan to charter a boat in the UK ?

Or maybe you'd just like to see what's involved in a passage on a boat that probably only travels at 5Knts. Distances involved. Time at sea. How many night pasages.

The package gives you the ability to turn a Windows PC or Laptop into a fantastic planning tool. Use OpenCPN (free), SeaClear (free), etc. You experiment and decide which Nav program you prefer. Plan and measure routes, drop waypoints.. dream that cruise in the comfort of your home on a big screen. In conjunction with some online research (such as the vast trove of harbour and tidal information provided freely on this website)... You will have the basis for a passage plan.

With a printer you can amass and collate all the harbour and tidal info you'll need from this website. The "at sea" passage routes (and alternative plans in case of adverse weather), can all be saved within the chosen navigation software. Ready for use at sea.

Your passage plans can cross multiple charts at all scales. Make rough plans on a medium scale chart. Then amend them after examining your track line on the largest scale charts available. It's easy to do using a mouse (we recommend a mouse as opposed to a laptops touch pad). Even better with a Windows touchscreen...

So you'd have a combination of printed informational material, and a series of passage routes made in your chosen nav software using our charts.

Right.. now to sea. A few options availabe here. If you have a marine GPS on the boat that you can connect with a cable to your Windows machine (supplied by the GPS manufacturer, normally with driver software).. you could:

Transfer your routes to the onboard marine GPS ? with a bit of initial setting up, (works with Garmin and Magellan GPS sets) you can send whole route(s) to the marine GPS. You then use the marine GPS to follow your routes. OK, no quick visual reference of the position on a chart, but not much power consumption.

Android use on-board

The ideal power saving solution. This involves getting yourself an Android tablet with built in GPS. Prices ranges from about £90 to £250. 7" tablets are OK, bit fiddly for routes and waypoint creation. 10" tablets are best for this use, but harder to slip into an inside pocket. You get Marine Navigator app from the playstore for about £6.50 (allows multiple installations). You install our charts and activate. You can transfer routes made on the your chosenr windows program (Big Screen) TO the small screen Android tablet. OR you can make the routes directly on the Android device. They use exactly the same charts as the Windows version. The Android tablets use very little power, can be charged on-board with an adapter, and turn on almost instantly. If protected from wet, they are ideal chartplotters. They are not AIS compatible.

Android tablet in bracket

"The stars of the show were the oldish Aurohelm 200 tiller pilot and Nexus 7 tablet (free with my phone) with a £4.50 app and admiralty charts from Visitmyharbour.com covering the whole of the UK, simply superb, never missed a beat which is more than can be said for the Garmin which has developed back lighting and contrast issues" Cardiff to E.Coast

Windows use on-board

Using the Windows laptop as your on-board chartplotter: If you want to use your Windows laptop as the chartplotter (and can afford the power... they generally draw 2-3 amps at 12v)... Then you can use a GPS to show your position on the charts. Follow your pre-prepared routes. Quickly make adjustments for prevailing weather/tidal conditions. See where you are on the charts at all times. To use a Windows machine in this manner you don't need a marine GPS connected, just a cheap compatible USB GPS. We supply a GPS kit that's ideal for this at £30. AIS with an AIS receiver connected you can see the shipping around you. This is a great safety feature in poor visibility, at night and around shipping lanes. The NASA AIS engine (at about £130) works with nav programs as do many others.

Panasonic Toughbooks make good seagoing plotters, this is a touchscreen CF-28

OR ... the new breed of Windows 10 tablets, are near ideal:

Maybe consider a Windows 10" tablet like the LINX 10-10.About £160

A full Windows PC .. in touchscreen tablet form. Works great with Unified Charts set up for touchscreen use. Using a Bluetooth GPS for tablet portability, or with AIS, GPS, etc hardwired in via USB for maximum functionality. Power draw when charging 10 watts, charge from a cigar lighter (12v) adapter.

Which nav program is the best to use ?

Unified Charts will work with standard versions of the following:

Marine Navigator SeaClear OpenCPN Polar View Expedition

Our take on it... SeaClear is simple, reliable and bomb proof. Best image quality of the lot. Free. Expedition is a specialist yacht racing program, used by professionals, not cheap. Polar View is a crisp fast uncluttered program, with good image quality. Suitable for Windows tablets too. About £30, 30 day trial bundled. OpenCPN, getting better all the time, image quality improved recently, can be set up specifically for easy use on Windows tablets. Free, bundled. Marine Navigator on Android is a best seller, self contained, powerful and easy to use. Excellent image quality. About £6.50 from Google Play Store.

"Also remember at all times to keep a plot on an up to date paper chart as well, this is pure common sense, in case of equipment faliure"

Other areas and other compatible charts...

NOTE the supported Windows programs and Marine Navigator allow you to use any other compatible charts without paying EXTRA for the privilege

Other editions available:

See the area coverage availabe to download right now.

Click HERE

Believe it or not... the UKHO are not the only ones producing original surveys and charts in the UK. Some areas of Scotland (where ships are unlikely to venture) are being surveyed specially for intrepid small craft mariners. These charts are made by Antares:

"Antares Charts is a source of 'unofficial' very large scale electronic charts and related pilotage information created by unqualified enthusiasts. Focusing on the West Coast of Scotland it is aimed at experienced navigators, to supplement information available from more authoritative providers."

Best of all they are inexpensive and will work fine with our Unified Chart packages, Android compatible too. Get the best of both worlds, official charts and private locally surveyed extra large scale charts:

http://www.antarescharts.co.uk/

The programs are fully expandable to cover many areas of the world:

Free charts in BSB format are available for US and Brazilian waters. Google "NOAA" or "DHN Brazil" to find the latest versions of these.

Yachtua, a Ukranian website, have been maunfacturing and offering SeaClear compatible charts for some time now, as downloads in BSB or SeaClear WCI format. They cover most of the Med, inc Turkey and Greece, plus they have West Indies coverage. This seems to fill the gaps nicely between the free BSBs and our own UK offering. Their prices seem reasonable at 3.50 Euros per downloaded chart, and although we haven't tested their charts out, they seem to have a good reputation. We stress they have nothing to do with VisitMyHarbour, we link to them for your benefit...have a look:

Yachtua
http://www.1yachtua.com/

(these will work with Marine Navigator in Android too !)

Questions ? 01983 293757 Sun-Fri 11am to 4.30pm We're easy to get hold of for advice or tech enquiries

PS:

When you deal up with VisitMyHarbour.com, you are not enriching the coffers of some moneygrubbing PLC. You're not accessing illegal, ripped off, hacked and cracked C-Map charts. You are dealing with genuine hands on boating enthuiasts, who work hard and love the sea. We have a good relationship with the licensors of the chart material (UKHO), and have been using their material for a few years now.

We have worked towards and acheived recognition by Trading Standards, having been awarded the "Buy with Confidence" logo and certificate. Coming from a retail background, we always treat customers as we would like to be treated ourselves and have built up a first class reputation.

Best Regards,