A Way To Integrate Google Earth With Nav Programs

chartaidnoaa3.jpg

Here is an interesting program from cruiser Bill Stockton that takes screen shots of Google Earth images and facilitates using them with a variety of charting programs.

We have not had a chance to test this ourselves, and in the interim asked Bill to put together a short blurb which you can access here. Let us know what you think.


Posted by Steve Dashew  (June 12, 2011)




3 Responses to “A Way To Integrate Google Earth With Nav Programs”

  1. Terry Sargent Says:

    Somewhat useful but WAY overpriced!


  2. Steve Dashew Says:

    Hi Terry:
    We are not sure how one values software. However our feeling is t hat the US$99. price f or Chart Aid is worth paying if you need the ability to integrate satellite images with your charts, in which case it is a bargain.


  3. John Byatt Says:

    I have been using the free program GEKAP to create BSB files from Google Earth.

    There is a thread at the cruisers forum with lots of detail http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f121/google-earth-to-bsb-kap-43680.html.

    Simple automated use allows the user to create a library of images/”charts” when online. Comparison of the locations of numerous features, headlands, markers, etc, with the same locations on electronic charts is spot on in the Bay of Islands. I have used two different nav programs on my laptop and both are compatible with these images ( Maxsea and OpenCPN ). I plan to use this type of image (with extreme caution) in areas where charts are older and not accurately located eg Pacific Islands.