Rose Point’s dedicated customers have benefited from new and innovative features added to the software since 2005. Rose Point’s newest release is scheduled for December 2010.
One of the biggest challenges of adding new features to a software program is to create more functionality without adding complexity. This is why so many older programs are so hard to use. Rose Point has invested a lot of resources in developing the new version of software and a more simplified user experience; the 2011 version has a completely re-designed planning mode. The most commonly used features require the fewest number of steps which makes the software easier to learn and use.
Many of the new features are consistent with Rose Point’s goal of making various types of useful information more easily accessible to boaters, including: support for cruising guides (such as the Atlantic Cruising Clubs Marina Guides and Active Captain) and new weather options (such as support for XM, WX, weather, and free NEXRAD data). Other features include: better planning tools and enhanced tracking, as well as, direct support for NMEA 2000 data.
Coastal Explorer 2011 is a paid upgrade. The cost is $99 and includes continued enrollment in the Coastal Explorer Network. Rose Point will provide complimentary Coastal Explorer Network access to existing customers through December 31st of 2010. New customers who purchase the software prior to the release of 2011 update will get one year of access to the Coastal Explorer Network (from the date of activation) and a complimentary upgrade to the 2011 edition of the software. The upgrade can be downloaded from the Internet, or users can request a DVD for a nominal charge.
There are hundreds of other minor changes that improve the overall user experience. Examples include new route manipulation "handles" that make it easier to edit existing routes and the route timeline that helps users understand where they will be along their route at any given time. This unique feature also makes it easy to choose when to depart for optimal travel times based on tides and tidal currents.
Rose Point Navigation Systems is a leading developer of PC-based navigation systems and produces Coastal Explorer and Rose Point ECS. The company was founded in 2003, by Brad Christian, an ex-Microsoft developer. Rose Point is located in Redmond, Washington.
For screen shots, please contact Jeff Hummel: Jeff@Rosepointnav.com.
Comments
Coastal Explorer always promised free updates forever, and that was extended to CE network when it was introduced. What about existing users? Are you going to "grandfather" them?
Hi, for what it's worth I do think that the upgrade is worth paying for because it has taken an awful lot of time and development (when not playing with Ipads?). However, it has also taken up a lot of time for a few very active Beta Testers, (you can count them on two hands), without whom the product would not be as good as it is. I do think that those people should have some sort of recognition or concession.
Steve
As someone who has not (yet) bought the software, my thoughts are on how people get into CE in the first place? They will be put off by an expensive licence, and then an annual subscription.
If there was a subscription, I'd want my initial outlay to be much cheaper. In fact, like a subsidised mobile phone, I'd want the cost of the software spread over a 2-3 year period.
Really, you need a bunch of options to allow people to create the right package for them as boaters range from pros who use the s/w every day, to amateur beginners like me who may use it frantically for a 10 day period every year. It would be good if we all had access to the same s/w.
Maybe, as an idea, you should do an option to buy on subscription e.g. to buy one month’s worth of usage. You could price it such that say, a season and a half of usage was about the cost of the whole thing. But if for example you were only asking for $100 for a month of use, then I would probably do that for sure if I had a big cruise coming up.
There are lots of casual boaters out there who would see the price tag as pretty big, and don’t think they would get the value from it because they only use it from time to time, but then now and again they find themselves on a one-off cruise where they could really use it.
If the subscription fee was able to be off-set against the purchase price, then you’d probably encourage more sales, and they would be direct sales to you rather than through a retailer, so more profit...
So - how does a non product owner fare in the 2011 upgrade world?
There has been a lot of confusion, speculation, and incorrect rumor about our new upgrade policy on the web lately. We are preparing a FAQ document that I hope will answer everyone's questions and we will post it here when it is ready.
Let me say now, though, that we have NEVER promised free updates forever. It is true that we have not charged for updates in the past, but we have NEVER said that was always going to be the case. No software company could ever survive very long with that sort of policy!
We are going to start charging for upgrades and some services since those things cost us money to maintain. We need to pay for the development of new features and we need to pay to maintain the servers that provide chart updates and weather forecast data. How could we survive if we just gave everything away for free?
Also, I wouldn't call Coastal Explorer a "subscription". If, after using Coastal Explorer for one year, you decide not to purchase the upgrade/service package for the next year, Coastal Explorer will continue to work. It's only the upgrade and some network-related services that will stop working. In addition, if you decide later to purchase the upgrade/service package, you will not be penalized for not maintaining the services continuously. Just buy another year for $100 whenever you need it.
I stand corrected with regard to my prior post. I reviewed past announcements and do NOT see that promise. My apologies for having a faulty memory -- sometimes we hear what we want to hear.
I will say that your generous upgrade and support policy has been very influential in why I switched away from another leading navigation package to CE , and is an advantage I point out to people as I continue to recommend your software over others.
It's fair to ask a reasonable fee for continued upgrades, and support. All the best to you Brad.
For those of us who were beta testers in the very early days, the cutting edge was a litttle bloody but lots of fun. At the very beginning of public release, we were allowed to buy at a very attractive price. I, for one, have gotten far more than my money's worth. It has been quite entertaining listening to the naysayers preach gloom and doom. Without question, Brad and his team have truly become the leaders in the industry.
One boater above remarked that the software was expensive. He should price software from the other so-called leaders. Most of them still charge for map data updates. CE has always taken the attitude that your government caused the charts to be prepared with your tax dollars so they designed software to download US charts for FREE.
Brad and/or Jeff, Please let me know when and how to pay for the 2011 release. I am in!!!
Cappy Solstice Fleming 65-005
I am not sure that I understand the cost structure or the annual upgrade concept; however, I am with Cappy! Let me know how much and when!
There are no other navigation software options!
How does one prepurchase the update?
I own a medical software company and I can tell you that software development and support is a very costly business- especially if you create a top notch program with first class support and continual development. The small price that we need to pay for a significant upgrade in comparison to what it costs to develop and support the continual changes that are being made for us is well worth every penny! I look forward to supporting this software development team every year... knowing that as long as there is a dedicated group of paying users, this company will not fade away or sell off the product like others have done in the past. Keep up the great work guys!
I would also like to know how I can pay so I don't revert to 2009. It has been fun reading comments and using the Beta software cruising. It as as close to idiot proof software as I think it can be. And I'm a good tester for that concept cruising once or twice a year. The AIS interface has saved my bacon several times in cloudy/foggy weather. I use CE on an ASUS netbook with a cheap Microsoft "Streets and Trips" GPS. I still have a larger screen than most chart plotters. I am hoping to use my Verizon Droid X to interface with the Web to upload weather, charts, etc. when underway. This makes a powerful, versatile multipurpose system for a 26 foot sailboat. I'm happy to pay $100. I just need to know when and how to pay.
I purchased CE 2009 this past spring and have been very happy with it. At that time, I was told that CE 2010 would be available soon and I would receive a free upgrade when it was "ready". Because of the latest anouncement, has the 2010 upgrade had a name change and is now called the 2011 upgrade or is it a different release? Regardless, will I still receive a free upgrade? Thanks for the great software and keeping the customers informed of the latest news.
Not until December!
Is it too late to sign up to beta test? I want AC integration now!
Where and when can the upgrade be obtained? It does not seem to be available throught your website.
Hi:
I drive a 147 ton tug...99.00 is a cheap price to pay for up to date functionality.
Regards,
RJ
I am switching computers. I would lik the upgrade, Fishfinder option and engine monitoring option. Will all of this be clear and available by the Seattle Boat Show so that I can bring my checke and leave ready to install?
Will coastal Explorer read and display NMEA0183 DSC data from my Icom M 604
When will Coastal Explorer 2011 be available ?
Congrats on shipping CE2011!!
-p