Admiralty charts looking "cheap"...

Iain C

Iain C

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No, not as in price...I mean in finish.

I've just bought the Channel Islands folio in preparation for adventures this summer, and whilst the paper itself seems the usual quality, the printing does not see to be the usual pin sharp quality, and the colours look a bit washed out.

My other charts are on the boat so I can't do a straight comparison, but has anyone else noticed this?
 
No,

Check for the watermark. I recall a warning about counterfeit charts doing the rounds recently. I seem to recall that print quality was one of the tells.

Unless of course you got them from a reputable supplier in which case I'd take them back and query it with them.
 
This is what the UKHO had to say 5 weeks ago:

"Beware of counterfeit products. The UKHO is aware that counterfeit copies of Admiralty products have been found in the market.

Because counterfeit UKHO products are not issued officially by or on the authority of a Government, authorized Hydrographic Office or other relevant government institution they clearly do not satisfy the carriage requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Chapter V, Regulations 2.2, 19.2.1.4 and 27). Likewise their carriage may not satisfy the requirements of (and may be contrary to) the local laws of Flag State Authorities and Port State Controls. Counterfeit products have not undergone the rigorous checking procedures which take place for official products and they cannot be trusted in the same way. Their use may increase the safety risk to vessels, crews, passengers and cargoes.

The UKHO is making mariners aware of this problem and encouraging vigilance in the inspection of navigational products. If there is any suspicion that an Admiralty product has been counterfeited, the UKHO should be informed with details of where and when the product was purchased - photographs, and ideally the counterfeit product itself, are all useful in identifying the source. The UKHO will seek to stop the production and sale of counterfeit copies of its products."
 
Have not used an Admiralty chart in a long time. I use Canadian charts which look much the same and appear to have simmillar quality paper. Yet I have noticed the quality of print has declined. Now you are likely to rub out the printing along with the 2b doodling.
 
tillergirl said:
This is what the UKHO had to say 5 weeks ago:

"Beware of counterfeit products. The UKHO is aware that counterfeit copies of Admiralty products have been found in the market.

Because counterfeit UKHO products are not issued officially by or on the authority of a Government, authorized Hydrographic Office or other relevant government institution they clearly do not satisfy the carriage requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Chapter V, Regulations 2.2, 19.2.1.4 and 27). Likewise their carriage may not satisfy the requirements of (and may be contrary to) the local laws of Flag State Authorities and Port State Controls. Counterfeit products have not undergone the rigorous checking procedures which take place for official products and they cannot be trusted in the same way. Their use may increase the safety risk to vessels, crews, passengers and cargoes.

."
Click to expand...

What a load of legalistic civil service bull. There is nothing about a photocopy that introduces errors not there in the first place.
 
Bosun Higgs said:
What a load of legalistic civil service bull. There is nothing about a photocopy that introduces errors not there in the first place.
Click to expand...

There is though when the copiers realise that the easiest way to "update" from 5th edition to 6th edition is to simply change the words along the edge of the chart, leaving the contents unaltered.

Pete
 
Iain C said:
No, not as in price...I mean in finish.

I've just bought the Channel Islands folio in preparation for adventures this summer, and whilst the paper itself seems the usual quality, the printing does not see to be the usual pin sharp quality, and the colours look a bit washed out.

My other charts are on the boat so I can't do a straight comparison, but has anyone else noticed this?
Click to expand...

Same here, I bought the west coast folio last month and was shocked by the quality of the print. Bleeding edges and really washed out colour when compared to my clyde folio. First port of call was to check if they were forgeries but watermarks etc all as it should be. Really dissapointed and would be very reluctant to buy any more admiralty ones.
 
Iain C said:
No, not as in price...I mean in finish.

I've just bought the Channel Islands folio in preparation for adventures this summer, and whilst the paper itself seems the usual quality, the printing does not see to be the usual pin sharp quality, and the colours look a bit washed out.

My other charts are on the boat so I can't do a straight comparison, but has anyone else noticed this?
Click to expand...

Cataracts?


(joke, sorry)
 
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