AHoy2
Well-Known Member
I wondered how others here would approach this?
Need and use v. product marketing v. perceived safety benefit?
This consideration came up as my chartplotter data needs updating, cost about £150. Next thought, chartplotter is five years old and relatively old technology so perhaps a new plotter would be nice with all those extra functions and information, cost about £600-700 plus data card. Oh, and my present unit is also a dual frequency fishfinder, will need to include that functionality as well but again I get the latest wizzo technology, cost about £250. Total cost depending on make/model around £1000 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
So with a new chartplotter will my navigation be any better or safer? Will I be more successful at catching fish with the new fishfinder? Doubtful benefits.
Yes, the chart data update is essential, but after a bit of reflection (like I can't justify that much anyway) maybe it would be better to spend any extra on getting something with potentially more benefit
like items for me and the grab bag such as mini-flares, a personal EPIRB or perhaps a handheld waterproof GPS unit.
For boats that don't already have one even adding a liferaft would be cheaper than a nav system upgrade!
With the rate of technology update I think I will wait another year for the nav system upgrade, by then I should get more functionality, like integrated AIS, for possibly less cost. In the meantime I will have had the potential benefit of a more comprehensive grab bag. It also gives the next boat show visit more purpose.
AHoy.
Need and use v. product marketing v. perceived safety benefit?
This consideration came up as my chartplotter data needs updating, cost about £150. Next thought, chartplotter is five years old and relatively old technology so perhaps a new plotter would be nice with all those extra functions and information, cost about £600-700 plus data card. Oh, and my present unit is also a dual frequency fishfinder, will need to include that functionality as well but again I get the latest wizzo technology, cost about £250. Total cost depending on make/model around £1000 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
So with a new chartplotter will my navigation be any better or safer? Will I be more successful at catching fish with the new fishfinder? Doubtful benefits.
Yes, the chart data update is essential, but after a bit of reflection (like I can't justify that much anyway) maybe it would be better to spend any extra on getting something with potentially more benefit
like items for me and the grab bag such as mini-flares, a personal EPIRB or perhaps a handheld waterproof GPS unit.For boats that don't already have one even adding a liferaft would be cheaper than a nav system upgrade!
With the rate of technology update I think I will wait another year for the nav system upgrade, by then I should get more functionality, like integrated AIS, for possibly less cost. In the meantime I will have had the potential benefit of a more comprehensive grab bag. It also gives the next boat show visit more purpose.
AHoy.
