Canadian Boaters

[AMY @ C-MAP]

This is a developing issue for Canadian boaters who use electronic navigation charts:<br /><br />Your access to affordably priced, high quality vector cartography is being compromised by unreasonable royalty demands being applied by NDI (the company who holds the sole licensing rights to CHS Charts). This is a developing issue affecting not just C-MAP, but all cartography companies who base their Canadian coverage on CHS Charts, and ultimately the Canadian end users. <br /><br />Please read the following letter from Ken Cirillo, the Vice President and General Manager of C-MAP/USA: <br /><br />Dear Boater's, <br />Please find the following link to our web site for updated information for your review regarding the licensing of CHS navigational products. Please check back from time to time as new information will be posted as it becomes available. Feel free to distribute this as needed among your boating friends. <br /><br /> http://www.c-map.com/NoticeToMariners/CanadianBoaters/Notice.asp <br /><br />Thank you for your continued support. <br /><br />Best regards, <br />Ken Cirillo

 

[MajBach]

Re: Canadian Boaters

Thanks for that info! I've been dealing with this crap since I first purchased my Lowrance GPS. I started createing my own maps but it was sooo tedious. Ended up using OziExplorer and Topo maps to mark water hazards instead; I can do it in minutes. <br />Even the street info available to the public is pathetic. I remember years ago asking a Lowrance agent why I could find so much info for the states but none for Canada and he replied 'politics....gov't wont make it legal'.<br />Anyway, I'll look into your site more in depth later. Thanks again.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Canadian Boaters

Amy@C-MAP, thanks for posting your bosses propaganda.<br /><br />It will be interesting to see if the MODERATORS allow C-MAP’s marketing efforts to remain on these forums.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Canadian Boaters

I Suppose,you Might Possibly see this as Spam.........<br />But, As a Boater on the International Boarder,<br />I Sure Wish My GPS Charts Didn't turn to a Blank Screen, a few hundred yards from My Shore...........<br /><br />AMY,<br />Who/Where do I,(being a US. citizen) email,+ Complain Too ?????????

 

[AMY @ C-MAP]

Re: Canadian Boaters

My apologies if this message appears to be Spam or propaganda. I don't believe this is the case as it affects all manufacturers (not just C-MAP), dealers and especially the end user of digital cartography in Canada. If you use a GPS chartplotter in Canadian waters, you stand to benefit from learning about this issue BEFORE decisions are made that may double the cost or reduce the competitive options of your Canadian cartography. <br /><br />Questions can be directed to:<br /><br />Denis Hains <br />Acting Dominion Hydrographer and Director General <br />Canadian Hydrographic Service <br />Department of Fisheries & Oceans, Canada <br />HainsD@DFO-MPO.GC.CA <br /> http://www.charts.gc.ca/pub/en/about/contact_us.asp <br /><br />Or:<br /><br />Mohammed Al Zaibak <br />Chief Executive Officer <br />Nautical Data International, Inc. <br />mohammad@digitalocean.ca<br /> http://www.digitalocean.ca/DigitalOceanE-Store/contact_NDI.asp

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Canadian Boaters

Amy – what is the extent of the projected customer base for the e-map demand in Canada? I ask this because satellite TV, which I would think would have a larger potential customer base, is having a difficult time justify the cost of marketing their product in/to Canada.<br /><br />I’m sure you are aware, for software, the broader the distribution of the end product, the less the cost to the consumer. It may be that Canada doesn’t have the population, thus the demand, to justify a lower cost of the software to your corporation for distribution??? (Note: I have no idea…just guessing…)<br /><br />Also, for coastal navigation, do you know how much of Canada is or will be covered by the free e-charts?

 

[AMY @ C-MAP]

Re: Canadian Boaters

I don't know how our Canadian cartography sales compare to the company that has come to some kind of terms with NDI, or whether their terms were better than those being offered to the rest of the industry. I can state that our Canadian customer base is substantial and would hope that, to maintain the most competitive (cost and quality) options for Canadians, smaller private companies are not being forced out of the market.<br /><br />Regarding 'free e-charts', I'm not sure what you are referring to (?).