New Worldwide Tidal Data Now Available in TimeZero!

We are happy to announce that new worldwide Tidal Data for TimeZero users is now available on our website totally free of charge.

When you download tidal data in your MaxSea TimeZero, you can view tides stations directly on your chart for the present moment as well as into the future. This is very helpful for planning the best route and departure time.

To install the new tidal data, simply go to our website and click on the link marked in red below:

Please read the PDF file here for full details of this new tidal data.

Feel free to contact us if you need any further information.

 

The Ultimate Guide to Boat Rentals

UK, Ireland and Holland Navionics Chart Updates

The following two Navionics vector chart zones have been updated and are available as of March 24th, 2014 in our Chart Catalog:

Navionics vector chart updates

 

Enhancements

These chart zones integrate the new routing system in the southern part of the North Sea. This new organisation was put into place on the first of August, 2013 in accordance with the IMO Sub-committee on Safety of Navigation proposal NAV/58/3/2.

Significant improvements have been introduced to contour lines in general.

Here are some examples of these improvements:

Old vc. New UK Contour Lines

Old vs. New Channel Islands Contour Lines

Further details about the Mega Wide Navionics chart for UK, Ireland and Holland (MWVNEW28XGMAP6.1) can be found here.

More information on the Wide Navionics chart for the UK and Ireland (WVNEW28MAP6.1) can be viewed here.

You can find further examples of the changes made to these updates charts in our Facebook or Google+ albums.

 

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Remember!

Until April 15th, 2014, enjoy a 10% off reduction on all charts in the MaxSea webstore by entering the promo code* MX10 upon checkout, before payment.

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5 Tips for Choosing the Best Nautical Chart

Software Update: MaxSea TimeZero ECS and PLOT v2.0.4

The MaxSea TimeZero ECS and PLOT v2.0.4 update improves compatibility with the new FURUNO DFF1-UHD TruEcho CHIRP network sounder. The DFF1-UHD (Ultra High Definition) broadband sounder delivers significant advancements in signal clarity and target definition, and is also able to send Bottom Discrimination information to TimeZero (similar to the BBDS1).

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MaxSea TimeZero Sounder Module

Thanks to its full compatibility with Furuno fish finders, the sounder module allows you to enjoy all the advanced features of Furuno sounders on your PC. The FURUNO DFF1, DFF3, BBDS1 and now the DFF1-UHD can turn your TimeZero display into a powerful, dual frequency fish finder.

MX Tech news dff1 pic 0

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The MaxSea Sounder Module is available for:

.The DFF1-UHD TruEcho CHIRP network sounder

Designed to operate over a wide range of frequencies utilizing a broadband transducer, the new DFF1-UHD TruEcho CHIRP-enabled network sounder for MaxSea TimeZero delivers significant advancements in signal clarity and target definition.

.CHIRP Technology

The clear presentation of the DFF1-UHD marks individual game fish and bait fish, even when tightly schooled together or very near the sea floor.

.Benefits of CHIRP Technology

  • Scans across a range of frequencies
  • Enhanced depth penetration, resolution & clarity
  • Precise separation between bait fish and game fish
  • Enhanced ability to distinguish targets from noise using improved signal-to-noise ratio
  • Improved bottom tracking at high speeds
  • Vastly improved shallow water performance
  • Reveals more fish by eliminating surface clutter & noise

 MX Tech news dff1 pic 1

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A full PC-Sounder solution

Paired with a Furuno Ethernet Sounder, TimeZero is a full PC Sounder solution:

  • Bottom Discrimination
  • Bottom hardness
  • ACCU-FISH

 MX Tech news dff1 pic 2

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Find a reseller - MaxSea TimeZero PLOT

Best of 2013

From sailing tips to product information, here’s our month-by-month year in review:

January

Understanding MaxSea nautical chart references

February

First MaxSea Training Session successfully achieved

March

The Maritime standard terms and abbreviations bible

April

MaxSea TimeZero Spring 2013 Releases

May

Where does the name MaxSea come from?

June

The MaxSea TimeZero App is here!!

July

The Life Cycle of a Marine Chart

August

Overfishing: Losing Nemo

September

20 years of the Transat Jacques Vabre Race!

October

The Different Types of Sailing Explained

November

Learning how to Release Fish Caught in Deep Waters

December

Dismasting – What to do if it Happens

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The whole MaxSea team wishes you a very happy holiday season! 

Maxsea Card Christmas New Year 2014

Software Update: MaxSea TimeZero Navigator & Explorer v2.0.4

We are pleased to announce that a minor update to MaxSea TimeZero Navigator and MaxSea TimeZero Explorer is now available.

This update introduces compatibility with Windows 8.1 and improved compatibility with the new FURUNO DFF1-UHD TruEcho CHIRP network sounder* as it delivers significant advancements in signal clarity and target definition.

MaxSea TimeZero recreational v2.0.4

As it is a minor update, it is free of charge to all customers who currently own MaxSea TimeZero Navigator or Explorer software version 2.

Please note that you must possess a MaxSea Sounder Module added to your MaxSea TimeZero Explorer software in order to avail of these improvements in Furuno Sounder integration.

Highlights

  • Compatible with Windows 8.1
  • Improved compatibility between MaxSea TimeZero Explorer and the Furuno DFF1-UHD (better transducer set-up and power setting selection)
  • New “Allow Chart Overzoom” option (Plotter Options) that prevent “Overzoom” tiles to appear when the customer is zooming too much on the chart
  • Minor Date Bar bug correction

To download this minor version, go to My MaxSea, login or create a new account and click on Downloads.

My MaxSea - Downloads

*Important Transducer Information for TimeZero integration with FURUNO DFF1-UHFD

We recommend using the Airmar transducer B265 or CM265 with the DFF1-UHD. In this case the transducer configuration will be automatic (TD-ID).

Other “Low High” CHIRP transducers such as the 175LH, 109LH or 509LH may be used, however the accuracy of both ACCU-FISH and Bottom Discrimination modes will not be guaranteed.

In this case, put the transducer settings to “Model Number” (within the Sounder Initial Setup) and select “B265LH”.

If you wish to know more about our recreational range, here are MaxSea TimeZero Navigator and MaxSea TimeZero Explorer product pages.

New Zealand, Indian Ocean and South China Sea Navionics Chart Update

These 3 Navionics Vector charts have been updated and are available as of October 16th, 2013 on our Chart Catalogue:

New Zealand, Indian Ocean and South China Sea Navionics chart update

They include the latest charts and NTM provided by our data providers.

Here are some examples of the improvements introduced to the Navionics vector charts:

Old/New Indian Ocean & South China Sea Mega Wide chart

Indian Ocean and South China Sea Navionics chart
Old/New Indian Ocean and South China Sea Navionics chart

Old/New Indian Ocean Wide chart

Indian Ocean Navionics chart
Old/New Indian Ocean Navionics chart

Old/New New Zealand Wide chart

New Zealand Navionics chart
Old/New New Zealand Navionics chart

You can see more examples of this charts update release in our Facebook album or Google+ Photos section.

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Nautical Chart

Marine chart data treatment

Benefitting from 18 years’ experience in the field of cartography, MapMedia selects the best marine charts available, based on several different criteria: coverage, reliability, level of detail and the date of last update.

MapMedia works with Hydrographic Offices all around the world, as well as with private providers who have demonstrated their reliability and professionalism over many years.

Different marine chart sources

Choosing a local supplier is often the most appropriate option due to their knowledge and expertise in that region. MapMedia therefore consists of a very large marine cartography library, sourced from multiple different vendors, which acts as a very strong basis to start from.

The first stage of production is to create a large digital database in order to make the most of the compiled information.

Compilation of marine charts

There are several forms of delivery media for Raster marine charts, whether paper or digital. The important step of scanning the charts and entering data is required. The title of the chart, the scale, the date of issue, date of revision … all make up what we call meta info.

This information will be available later for MaxSea and Nobeltec software users as well as for users of Furuno products. This information is integrated within digital and vector maps.

The second step involves the geo-referencing and compilation of these marine charts. This process is what allows the chart to be well-positioned in relation to the GPS. Particular attention is always given to this crucial step, to ensure the safety of users.

Division in marine chart zonesThe third step is the conversion of all the data into our own proprietary format called mm3d. This format is optimized for and exclusive to MaxSea marine navigation software and related products.

Again, during this third step, stringent controls are in place in order to ensure the reliability of the finished product. Once this work is completed and validated, the final step may begin: the division of the marine chart into “zones” that will be available to users.

A whole series of tests are then carried out on each product to ensure the reliability, consistency and security of data used in the chart. These marine charts are available for download through our online nautical chart catalog.

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Nautical Chart

Netherlands Raster Chart Update

Raster Charts for the Netherlands have been updated within three chart zones.

These Mapmedia chart zones integrate the new routing system in the southern part of the North Sea. This new organisation was put into place on the first of August, 2013 in accordance with the IMO Sub-committee on the Safety of Navigation proposal NAV/58/3/2.

Mapmedia has applied these changes very quickly to our charts to ensure that customers have the most up-to-date information possible for maximum safety.

Here are the updated chart zones:

Old vs new Netherlands Raster Charts

Here is an example of this update:

Differences between old and new Netherlands Raster Chart

As this is a minor chart update, customers will not need to pay if they already own the major chart edition.
Customers who already own the charts WRMEW25MAP5.1, WRMEW28MAP4.1 or MWRMEW46MAP5.1 will therefore access this update for free.

See more images of the updated chart in our Facebook album and G+ page.

MaxSea TimeZero App v1.2 Release

We are very happy to announce that version 1.2 of the MaxSea TimeZero App has just been released.

Version 1.2 includes many useful new features, as well as improvements on existing ones.

We have taken into account all the feedback received by users of the App since its initial release and have focused on developing the most-requested functions. The MaxSea TimeZero App will now be even more useful, with an impressively wide range of features.

Here are more details on the improvements in v1.2:

Data Exchange

Routes and Marks can now be imported/exported by using the iTunes file exchange feature under .TZD format. This allows the user to exchange data between ALL TimeZero systems (NavNet TZTouch system, MaxSea TimeZero/Nobeltec TimeZero software and Apps).

  • There are two import functions: Add or Replace Data.

MaxSea App Import-Export feature

Camera Integration

This is a great way for users to customize their TimeZero App. Pictures and screenshots can now be taken from the App and geo-referenced on the chart according to the boat’s position (or in the center of the screen if the GPS is not in use/not available). They are recorded in a specific layer that can be displayed/hidden from the tab corner and in the iPad photo albums under the name “TimeZero” as well.

MaxSea App Camera integration

Tidal Data

The waypoint tide ToolTip of an Active Route has been improved with a tide mini-graph that pinpoints the current tide status, as well as:

  • Previous high or low tide.
  • The next complete tide (one low and one high tide).

MaxSea App Tidal Mini-graph

This tide mini-graph has also been added to the Waypoint and Active Route context menus (if a station is available within 50 NM).

Event Configuration

Four types of event can be configured from the Boat icon and the More “(…)” menu to mark the current position of the boat with specific icons.

MaxSea App Event Configuration

Gesture Shortcut

A two-finger long tap gesture can be configured as a shortcut for the following actions under the MaxSea button, from the “General” menu:

  • Take a screenshot.
  • Activate the camera.
  • Create an event.

MaxSea App Gesture Shortcut setting

These bugs have been fixed within this new version:

Chart Download

  • Cancellation by default of automatic sleep mode activation of the iPad during the chart download process to avoid any interruption. The user can always manually reset the automatic sleep mode on his iPad.
  • The chart download process will be cancelled when the iPad goes into sleep mode (if reset manually by the user) and the progress circle stops appearing.

App reliability with bad wifi or 3G connection

The reliability of the App has been improved when there’s a bad WiFi (or 3G) connection, in order to avoid:

  • Crashes.
  • Frozen chart display.
  • White screen without any data.

The MaxSea TimeZero App is free to download and comes with a demo chart of the Miami region. We encourage you to download the App so you can see how it works first-hand!

All chart regions cost 44.99€, except for the US charts, which are 35.99€.

This presentation video introduces the TimeZero App and the benefits it brings to coastal sailors.

Croatia Raster Chart Update

Croatia was updated within the following Raster charts:

Croatia Raster Chart Update EN

Here is an example of this update: 

Croatia Raster chart update
Old/New Croatia Raster chart update

Note: this update is FREE for those who bought the latest version of the Raster charts listed above.

You can see more examples of this chart update in our Facebook album or Google+ Photos section.