C-Map or Navionics???

[Guest]

Hi there,
That time of year, with boat show bargains to be had. Been saving my pennies for a radar/chartplotter, and decided on Furuno 1722C because of watchman feature, and it fits in the chart table! However I haven't a clue whether to go for a C-Map version or a Navionics version. Any help/ advice/ experience greatfully appreciated!

Kind Regards
Colin
Galago
Brighton

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[ThomasHome]

C-Map

I had a look at a friends Furuno plotter with a Navionivs card in it, wasn't all that impressed, the C-map charts seem much better.

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[bob_tyler]

I am using C-maps on a Navman 5500 - very clear and accurate.

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[AlanPound]

My understanding is that, even though the (very fine) Furuno uses C-Map charts, they are a special kind, insofar as they are supplied on Navionics sized cartridges (ie. they only have one hardware build - the difference between the C and N version is purely software).

... This might mean that availability of the C-Map charts is perhaps not quite so good, and flexibility in terms of borrowing/trading charts with others pretty much non-existent...

... in other respects, I only have good things to say about Furuno...

As far as I can tell, most people seem to rate C-Map above Navionics...

Alan

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[Guest]

Hi Alan, thanks for the feedback. I knew it was going to well, making the decision for Furuno. Now the question is whether to stick to the 'unconventional' c-map cartridges or start from scratch!! Doh!
Many thanks again for the feedback, i wouldn't have known about that, I'll ask at their stand to see what they say!
Kind Regards
Colin

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[blup]

Colin
I notice you are in Brighton, have you spoken to Malcolm at Eurotek at the far end (east) of the Marina. I have found him quite helpful as I've also been pondering over the options. The boat just bought has got Foruno GPS/plotter already fitted but only takes the older style Navionics and not the new "Gold" version. Also I wanted to have the facility for plotting on a laptop away from the boat - so all in all it looks like I'll be starting from scratch.

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[AlanPound]

.. yes, I remember now how I came to understand this... I wanted to use the cartridges on my PC for planning at home - CMap sell a little reader for their standard cartridges, but not for the Navionics style cartridges that you would have to get for the Furuno...

... as I say, I have an older Furuno Radar (with a CRT), and it is seems to have a better resolution than any of the LCD types (albeit monochrome), plus it is built like a tank... I have considered changing it several times, but never found any of the newer types that equalled the display (can't say about the current consumption though...) So I'll probably wait until it is 'broke'...

Alan

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[pvb]

C-Map...

C-Map NT+ charts are very impressive and seemingly very accurate.

Have you considered screen resolution issues? The Furuno 1722C, although described as "high resolution" is only an ordinary 232 x 320 pixel display. Although this would be fine for either a radar or a plotter, it's really not enough if you want to use a spilt-screen radar/plotter display. To achieve this, you really need a VGA (480 x 640) screen as used in the Raymarine units, which are correspondingly more expensive.

Incidentally, in my limited experience, I reckon the best place for a radar or a plotter is in the cockpit.

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[kireonriley]

navionics are not very good on after care because i could not find my recipt they charged me for a simple repair and even acused me of steeling the unit but given that they returned it to me they must have discovered there mistake ,no apoligy though.but i must the charts are very good on a recent trip to Douglas I.O.M it even showed me my berth number

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