A not very techy needs advice

FlyingGoose said:
Hi I use a Computer base station at nav staion , any old laptop or desktop will do (space an issues for larger computers ) I connect this with a HDMI cable to a 24inch monitor on a swivel arm that then can be put around an angle I need when down below.
I run OPENCPN a free map software that I find very easy to understand and set up I bought the UK charts for £22 pounds which allows for 2 devices to have these charts or a back up copy on a seperate hard drive
I use a HUWAEI tablet 10in as my plotter this has a built in GPS and aslo runs OPENCPN this will cost you £7 from Goolge store for the APP on your Tablet you can download the Maps you have bought (second copy) if you wish
Most modern AIS will fit onto your Main computer via a series port or USB plug and play, make sure your AIS has the ability for USB as this would be the easiest way to connect.
In some cases you would need a wifi router to get your AIS Data to your Tablet I do not use this option as I can see my main Screen down below and If I can't see the Boat why do I need it on my Display (my opinion)
Londoncharttplotters are great for your set up
Ebay for a cheap laptop , second hand tablet , there is no need to spend hundreds on a tablet just a later model that runs more up to date operating systyms
My UK charts are Raster charts digitalised so look like like a paper maps , there are also vector maps that are computersied and layered , each person has their favourites.
GPS unit is also on my main computer a small one which keeps a great signal so again there is no real need to have wires running all the way back to the Pushpit with an anntena bolted outside.
My NAVTEC also goes through the main computer with simply software
OPENCPN also allows google Maps overlay were you can have Google earth and your chart together , it also offers plug and play for most Radar Makers as long as your computer has decent graphics , most semi modern computers will handle this , it also has many little aids to help and you download what you need.

Price
second hand Desk top and screen £200 (decent laptop £100+)
Tablet £110
OPENCPN App £7
UK Maps from Admirality £22

Comparison
2 MFDs 10 inch £2000+ (approx)
Maps £?
GPS anntena £60

Always slight varations on price but a significant saving out there if you look at all the options

Pros of the expensive systym is reall pure plug and play and interaction but may cause issues with different manufactures
Cons of cheaper set up is a little knowledge on getting it set up (how to find apps and comm ports on computer ) not hard
good luck in your search
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Thank you for this very detailed input, I have quite a bit of research to do, more midnight oil...
 
Baggywrinkle said:
Try deleting your cookies?
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Cokkies always emptied.

It started around the time that Garmin bought Navionics, so i thought that they had pulled the plug on Navionics, but everyone else seems unaffected. :confused:

I use the C-Map online charts now, not quite as good as Navionics but they will do.
 
Oletimer said:
Does anyone know if a UK set of charts is available under that NOAA free chart system
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As far as i know, there are no free sea charts for the Uk.

+1 for London Chartplotters, i bought a 10in Android Tablet with charger + Marine Navigator UK + Ireland charts + more, from him 3 years ago and it works flawlessly to this day, with a great battery in it.
I don't know the guy but he set the whole thing up perfectly.
 
I was actually considering London chart plotters after reading a few reviews that said they were a good company to deal with and had a good name for customer service.
As soon as my 'ship' is back in the water I'll be in touch with them.
Cheers
George
 
Ive got a full set of 2019 uk raster charts that will work on opencpn....but its opencpn version 4,,only.This is because of the plug ins.Opencpn changed the rules after version 4. However we may well have it working on the latest opencpn version for next januarys charts.
They are licenced and encrypted to ONE windows device free 2020 update....We can install it via download then a remote install by us.If you have the gps plugged in we will set that up for you as well.Windows 10 can give us problems,but we have found a way when it does.Steve
 
I think that fixed chart plotters for coastal leisure sailors are now virtually obsolete. A bit like cassette tapes and compact discs.

A tablet and a linked smartphone, with an app like Navtronics, offer much more. I have an iPad and large screen waretproof iPhone. The iPad is used for passage planning with automatic integration to the iPhone, in a motorcycle handle bar mount and case for navigation. It is mounted on the steering wheel pedestal with a charging cable.

I did a trip on a mates boat. He is a old school Yacht Master Examiner who enjoys traditional methods. We both planned a 35nm day sail. It took him about 5 times as much time using paper charts, tide tables and chart plotter than it did me using the iPad and transposing the course to a paper chart as a safety check.

If we had to change plan mid trip to a safe harbour I would have been quicker by a similar margin.
 
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I had a plotter on my boat when I bought it. It broke so I bought another which also failed (both Garmin, BTW:Ughh). Now I navigate with Navionics on my IP68 (waterproof) phone which can be used one handed anywhere on board. I do have two tablets plus 2 spare phones, loaded with Navionics but never use them. No use if you want to connect your autopilot to steer a route but I don't and don't look kindly on those who do. Otherwise a cheap and effective option. Similarly I'm at a loss to understand why people use built in GPS in cars rather than Google Maps which is free and dynamic and can be set up in the comfort of your bed rather than in a freezing vehicle in February. Maybe it's just a personal idiosyncracy; Mrs Q couldn't understand why I resisted purchasing an ice pick when we have a perfectly good winch handle to serve that purpose.
 
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I recently did the trip from Glasson Dock to Fleetwood to help out Stephen, (crown22). Not having a plotter on board, I paid for, and downloaded, the Navionics app and charts to my iPad pro, (so I now have them for a year).

1) the screen is shite in sunlight
2) it's a good job it was sunny, because the ipad Pro isnt waterproof.
3) It might be part of the learning curve, but it wasnt easy to manoeuvre around the screen.
4) It would need some means of fixing in position on deck.
5) If it's down below at the chart table, it's not much use when you need it in real anger.

If I had a seagoing boat, I'd pay the money for a chartplotter that could be fitted at/near the helm. In my seagoing days, with my own boat, I had a cheap Lowrance plotter fitted at the helm. Today, I would probably buy whatever is the at the cheaper end that can accommodate AIS. If this proved too expensive, I'd just have the plotter.

Bear in mind that AIS is not radar, and some boats and obstructions will not appear on it.
 
mjcoon said:
I paid for my Android version (now called "Boating HD") years ago and it has not stopped working, or allowing me to download bits of coast I want, yet...

Mike.
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I had it on a previous iPad, but it seems it stopped working when Apple reached IOS version 11. The new one seems to have an annual licence and was about £35. Hard to see them not doing something similar with Android..... but you never know :)
 
Richard10002 said:
I had it on a previous iPad, but it seems it stopped working when Apple reached IOS version 11. The new one seems to have an annual licence and was about £35. Hard to see them not doing something similar with Android..... but you never know :)
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Ah, I didn't say that they would not be happy to accept more money, as a subscription, for an upgrade. It's just that I'm not forced to do that by a cessation of function, or even a lack of updates, which are quite regular...

Mike.
 
Does anyone use MX Mariner? I've used it for several years a d it seems to do every thing I need. Cheap as chips and can be used on several devices at once. I keep it running on my Android phone and two tablets. (Belt and braces bloke).
I can't get it to incorporate AIS and it doesn't do inland Nederlands but excellent value.
 
Richard10002 said:
I had it on a previous iPad, but it seems it stopped working when Apple reached IOS version 11. The new one seems to have an annual licence and was about £35. Hard to see them not doing something similar with Android..... but you never know :)
Click to expand...

I’m using it on an up to date iPad (iOS 12.3) which up dates charts and lets me download new areas. Not paid an annual sub and keep getting reminded I could do so. Only thing that’s no longer available is the automatic routing option, which I might just fork out for as it’s so useful for the how long to get where questions.
 
I use iphone, ipad and chart plotter, and of course charts

iphone great for looking things up ashore in pub but screen to small for serious use at sea. Final final back up gps however if all else fails. I like isailor.

ipad (tablet) with Navionics not bad but needs to be plugged into charger if used more than a few hours. I do 6 to 36 hour passages and charger and socket on ipad not waterproof so no use in wet weather in cockpit. ipad not waterproof either so needs waterproof case, an extra £70. If subsribed for 29 pa it shows live tides. Cannot be read in bright sunlight so no good in cockpit for fine weather either. Screen hard to dim for night passages such a when i most want navigational reassurance. Brilliant kit for planning or checking features to make sure you have latest details. Not very easy to set destination or route.

Chart plotter. Designed specifically for setting destination and route. Weatherproof and hard wired to yacht electrics. Designed to be seen in bright sunlight or dimmed at night. Also has night view colour simplification, though the Navigator finds it strange. Maps for it cost a lot if you want multiple areas (As a west country soul I need 4 to cover Bristol Channel, Ireland, English channel and Brittany all at £159 each) and are costly to keep up to date, though as commented elsewhere only buoyage really changes and they havent introduced any more rocks, reefs or shoals out at sea. Being hardmounted it knows which way boat is pointing so can tell you how to steer etc. Costly but the dogs doo das. Can make you lazy so i turn mine off every now and again and use other methods.

Charts: cheap and flat battery or boat struck by lightning wont affect them. Fairly immune to damage except for tea stains. Can be used to plot course if chart plotter fails using visual or phone gps, dead reckoning plus observation if gps turned off or jambed by ruskies or yanks
 
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