Lo all, RE the cost of charts, upgrade pressure from vendors, software licensing etc. etc. etc. My solution is to just refuse to buy. I run nobeltec 4.1.400 on one computer and capn (can't remember the version) on the second computer. Both are old slow laptops. I use the older raster charts (BSB-NDI) which have no time bombs and are easy to duplicate for backup purposes. I may use the new compase rose software for ENC charts (which are free downloads) .... Don't know yet. The Fugawi implementation of ENC is beyond lame at this point. Hope they do better ..... The bottom line is this for me: Electronic charting tell's me where approximately where I am which is a vast improvement over non electronic nevigation which tells you approximately where you were when you took the sights. The rest is interesting fluff if you choose to pay for it. The older software will run on any computer you buy for quite a while in the future. The older charts are more than adequate when used intelligently. Until areas are resurveyed using modern techniques all you are buying is a rehash of the same old data. The major landforms haven't moved. If you get confused because a navaid wasn't where you expected it to be you need to become more comptent. So ..... If you want the flashy toys go buy them. If you don't buy them the industry will adapt until you do ;-) In the meantime you can be very safe and happy with older technology even in the out of the way places. What would explorers like vancouver think if they say even the most rudimentary chart plotter? I still haven't been all the places he went! Here in the San Juans the shipyards move the reefs on a monthly basis so nothing works........ VBG Just my $.02 Jim Slocomb M/V Sea Otter 40 Skookum San Juan Islands --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.571 / Virus Database: 361 - Release Date: 1/26/2004