Chart plotter or I Pad

[Fisgard Lag]

chartplotter choice and use

I am planning to purchase an older IPAD (ver 2 - to benefit from the cost saving due to the fact it is not latest technology) for my chart table with a chartplotter for mounting in the cockpit. £300 for plotter, £150 for charts and £200 for ipad? still saving funds but on the verge of committing to the chartplotter. currently looking at a standard horizon cp180 but would appreciate benefit of experience of readers.

 

[PaulGooch]

I am planning to purchase an older IPAD (ver 2 - to benefit from the cost saving due to the fact it is not latest technology) for my chart table with a chartplotter for mounting in the cockpit. £300 for plotter, £150 for charts and £200 for ipad? still saving funds but on the verge of committing to the chartplotter. currently looking at a standard horizon cp180 but would appreciate benefit of experience of readers.

The Garmin GPSMAP 551 is better value than the CP180. It comes with very good charts pre-loaded.

An alternative to an iPad, which i think only runs the Navionics app, would be a cheap used laptop, Open CPN (free plotter software, proper plotter software) and some downloaded charts (free again). There are some laptops around that convert to tablets, such as the Toshiba M200/M400. The laptop needs a GPS input, which can be a cheap antenna, a handheld GPS or an NMEA feed from the plotter. I'd go for the handheld GPS, as this gives you an independent system.

The laptop option is far superior to an iPad, IMO. It gives a proper chartplotter, not a simple app. It gives you internet access, if you want it. You could even watch TV or a a DVD, or listen to music. With a copy of Garmin Homeport you can plan your routes on the laptop and then copy them to the plotter via a standard SD card (can't do that with the Standard Horizon without a special reader and software that costs £130, plus a blank compact flash card).

 

[wotayottie]

Doesn't that depend on whether you have a big enough budget to buy both or just enough for one or the other?

I always thought that the biggest argument for an IPad is that most come FOC from and employer

 

[wotayottie]

wandering about in the mountains in bad weather ... I must be mad.

I agree.

 

[All The Gear No Idea]

Make sure you get the iPad 2 3G version, or else you won't be getting an inbuilt GPS and you won't be able to get a position.

Imray charts are available on iPad and there are others. Check out the iStore for further info.

A CP180 uses Jepperson charts, so there is unlikely to be any compatibility with anything you buy for the iPad. I may be wrong on this, but check the iStore.

You will find the small chart plotter screen a real disappointment in comparison to the large hi res screen of an iPad. There are pros an cons to all devices and I reckon you are probably smart enough to work out what you need, without forumites chucking in their two Penneth worth!

For charts, I like Navionics, so would aim to get a plotter that supports this format. I have a Raymarine e7 which has the chart on a micro SD card. This is a real plus because when you stick the card in your laptop, you get a free route planner app download from Navionics and regular chart updates which will save to the card. These are free for the first year. All you have to do is put the card in the laptop with an Internet connection and it is all automated (with a couple of prompts).

The e7 is a great plotter because it can sync wirelessly with the Ipad and vice versa. The iPad Navionics app is very user friendly and you can create routes and edit them in a matter of minutes. They then get uploaded to the plotter when you switch it on. A far cry from doing anything complicated!

 

[H4B]

The Garmin GPSMAP 551 is better value than the CP180. It comes with very good charts pre-loaded.

An alternative to an iPad, which i think only runs the Navionics app, would be a cheap used laptop, Open CPN (free plotter software, proper plotter software) and some downloaded charts (free again). There are some laptops around that convert to tablets, such as the Toshiba M200/M400. The laptop needs a GPS input, which can be a cheap antenna, a handheld GPS or an NMEA feed from the plotter. I'd go for the handheld GPS, as this gives you an independent system.

The laptop option is far superior to an iPad, IMO. It gives a proper chartplotter, not a simple app. It gives you internet access, if you want it. You could even watch TV or a a DVD, or listen to music. With a copy of Garmin Homeport you can plan your routes on the laptop and then copy them to the plotter via a standard SD card (can't do that with the Standard Horizon without a special reader and software that costs £130, plus a blank compact flash card).

You can't pick up a lap top and easily take it up into the cock pit to assist a pilotage. I never have seen the point of having a plotter in view of the helm full time other than when in Pilotage mode. I have a lowerance HDS 7 as the boat plotter with the iPad as the back up and ' pilotage note pad'

The most annoying thing about the IPad and Navionics and INAVX is that currents are not supported in Europe and to get tidal info you have to get ayetides , which isnt very nice. Whereas the Navionics app works fine with all tides and currents but is not quite as sharp as the INAVX version. The iPad is, however a much sharper image in either mode than the Lowrance!
I think the iPad in a rugged case , with only one charging lead, is a far better option than some ropey old laptop with a spaghetti of leads to deal with, so last week!. But I still believe the boat Is better equipped with its own stand alone GPS of some description.

 

[snooks]

Make sure you get the iPad 2 3G version, or else you won't be getting an inbuilt GPS and you won't be able to get a position.

Yes you can.....But you have to spend a bit more

 

[PaulGooch]

<snip> I reckon you are probably smart enough to work out what you need, without forumites chucking in their two Penneth worth!<snip>

Kinda makes asking on the forum pretty pointless then

 

[Fisgard Lag]

Kinda makes asking on the forum pretty pointless then

I am really grateful for all of your suggestions. Like most things in life, sounding out opinion and seeking to benefit from the experience of others is always a useful exercise however, in the end, the decision and all of its ramifications rests with me.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I have a chartplotter but now I find that I use the I Pad more.I have the Imray North Sea app and also have the Navionics UK and Holland XG9 app as well.Recently the I Phone version of the Navionics app which has less resolution than the I Pad HD version but is OK was on the App Store for 69pence.This is the same area and information which is about £175 for the plotter.I paid £21 for my Navionics app.The advantage of the I Pad is of course that it does so much more and my laptop is redundant.Use of the excellent Mediadevil Matte Magicscreen protector from Amazon cuts down most of the glare and when I need to I use a ziplock bag as protection.I still have my Lowrance chartplotter and ideally would always retain both but it is handy to be able to look up pilotage instructions for entrances say and keep a snapshot of them on the I Pad.

 

[Captain Haddock]

I am planning to purchase an older IPAD (ver 2 - to benefit from the cost saving due to the fact it is not latest technology) for my chart table with a chartplotter for mounting in the cockpit. £300 for plotter, £150 for charts and £200 for ipad? still saving funds but on the verge of committing to the chartplotter. currently looking at a standard horizon cp180 but would appreciate benefit of experience of readers.

I have what you are considering. I have a sailing boat.

I was looking to use the iPad as a primary source of navigation. I've been using it in the cockpit with the Navionics software and here's my experience.

Initial first impressions are ooh this is nice. Then you start to look at things that you would do on the chart table by way of plotting courses and so on. So far so good, lets go outside and take a look... Ah the sunlight has just washed the screen out. Never mind, lets get underway... now pottering along, stand up holding it checking where I am... Hmm If I drop it all my navs gone. Hmmm dammit it's raining now and it's causing havoc with the screen, doh and it's locked again. Jeez this battery goes down quickly with the repeated net access.

Ok, back in again, need to zoom out as to where I am... dammit... got to let go of the tiller again for two handed use of the screen and now I've just lost that lovely boat balance.

I now have the SH CP180i it's connected to my NASA GPS repeater for the rolling road in the cockpit and I can see the screen down below from the cockpit when I'm on the port tack. On the starboard tack I ask the crew if I'm mid channel or not. I don't worry about power, rain, hands off the tiller, dropping it, software versions and so on.

My conclusion after my experience is the traditional chartplotter is still king for Nav and the iPad is great as a reference/weather/entertainment (films, games)/log/planning tool when you are safely at anchor or moored somewhere.

 

[Fisgard Lag]

You have indeed got what I thought to be the optimum set-up. I have a laptop running the free s/w already but the keyboard gets in the way and hence the thought of IPAD. Pse let me know what you think of the 180i - VFM?

 

[Captain Haddock]

You have indeed got what I thought to be the optimum set-up. I have a laptop running the free s/w already but the keyboard gets in the way and hence the thought of IPAD. Pse let me know what you think of the 180i - VFM?

I'm very happy with it. The screen is pretty good and a decent size, it's low power draw, reception is good even though it's below deck and it's nice and easy to program. Well worth every penny IMO.

Later in the season I'm upgrading my Radio to the integrated AIS VHF combo from SH. This then gives me AIS on the same plotter for an extra couple of hundred.

I went with this offer from Seamark Nunn

http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/info_YAECP-180i.html

309 quid for the plotter and a cartridge covering everywhere up to the Azores for an additional 150 quid... Bargain!

No connection to them just very happy customer.

 

[Chrusty 1]

Writing as one who is not quite sure yet what a chart-plotter is, I was amused to read someone's post recently in which he referred to a "traditional" chart-plotter.

Good grief! You are still here, I thought you had fell off yer perch! Nice to hear from you again you old Toff!

 

[PaulGooch]

You can't pick up a lap top and easily take it up into the cock pit to assist a pilotage. I never have seen the point of having a plotter in view of the helm full time other than when in Pilotage mode. I have a lowerance HDS 7 as the boat plotter with the iPad as the back up and ' pilotage note pad'

The most annoying thing about the IPad and Navionics and INAVX is that currents are not supported in Europe and to get tidal info you have to get ayetides , which isnt very nice. Whereas the Navionics app works fine with all tides and currents but is not quite as sharp as the INAVX version. The iPad is, however a much sharper image in either mode than the Lowrance!
I think the iPad in a rugged case , with only one charging lead, is a far better option than some ropey old laptop with a spaghetti of leads to deal with, so last week!. But I still believe the boat Is better equipped with its own stand alone GPS of some description.

The aforementioned Toshiba M200/M400 is a laptop that converts into a tablet. It is equipped with Bluetooth and OpenCPN (for instance) will run on it happily receiving GPS data, AIS data, depth data and soon, radar overlay, with no cables at all. The battery holds up well, but worst way is you have a single power cable.

Personally, i'd be inclined to have a small plotter at the helm, i'd choose a Garmin 620 touch screen, very neat and compact, with an inbuilt GPS antenna. Connect that and all other nav equipment (depth, AIS etc) to a Bluetooth enabled multiplexor. A £100 M400 at the chart table becomes a 12" plotter with AIS overlay and depth etc using OpenCPN.

It can equally be a useful stand alone plotter at the chart table, if one doesn't want a plotter "outside". £100 M400, cheap GPS antenna (or handheld GPS), OpenCPN and some downloaded maps give you a 12" plotter for less than £150 which will also do the all of the usual laptopn things like internet, email, dvd playback etc etc.

Obviously not for every boat/person, but with some though, it becomes no next week

 

[PaulGooch]

You have indeed got what I thought to be the optimum set-up. I have a laptop running the free s/w already but the keyboard gets in the way and hence the thought of IPAD. Pse let me know what you think of the 180i - VFM?

I've had the CP180i and the CP300i, both good plotters from an excellent company. But, they are getting a bit long in the tooth and (IMO) have been overtaken by Garmin. The Garmin GPSMap 551 is a more modern, better spec plotter than the CP180i and comes with full UK and Ireland charts pre-loaded. Can be purchased for £409.95, delivered, cheaper than the CP180i.

 

[claymore]

Parahandy brought his Ipad aboard Claymore recently. It has Navionics charts. I was really impressed with its clarity, ease of use and the fact that it was quick to acquire a gps fix.

We do have a wheelhouse of course so that helps. If my laptop system ever conked I think I would go for a Ipad.

 

[Emjaytoo]

If you want an iPad, buy an iPad, but don't try to justify it buy saying you'll be using in instead of a chart plotter

+1 !!

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Went through the same decision process, ended up buying a Standard Horizon CP300 mounted at the helm with a remote station for the VHF, downstairs there is a Standard Horizon GX2100E DSC VHF/AIS and an old laptop with OpenCPN being fed from the NMEA0183 data.

Previously had Navionics on an Android device and a monochrome plotter from the dark ages downstairs- problems at the helm were

Rain & sea water.
Sunlight and screen brightness.
Battery running flat.
Sliding around and landing on the cockpit floor.
Operating temperature.
Limitations of the navionics app.

One of these problems always occurs when you need the thing most ....

You can buy a case to solve the rain problem - but this will fry it in direct sunlight on a hot day and kill the battery.
You can buy a mount to solve the sliding around problem but you'll need one that works with and without the waterproof case.
You can put in a power supply to solve the flat battery problem (almost, because many 12v USB chargers can't supply enough power and the battery runs down anyway - especially if at full brightness and using WLAN for AIS data, GPS for positioning, 4G for Internet and constantly re-rendering the screen for navigation).

Consumer tablets run hot anyway - especially when busy (WLAN, GPS, 4G, Graphics rendering on full brightness) and they rely on the environment to cool them as they have no fans. Lock it in a water proof case with no air circulation and it will get cooked on a sunny day - this will considerably degrade the battery if not kill it outright.

The cost will be more than a plotter, and you can't solve the sunlight issues - Navionics is also not as feature rich as a plotter.

iPads were designed to sit on your lap in the living room, and while they can function as a boat navigation system I'd only use one for back up - and then only if I had bought one for another purpose. The money is better invested in real marine equipment if this is all you want it for IMHO.

You can't beat a dedicated plotter in the cockpit - shiny consumer tablet hardware wasn't designed to live for long in a marine environment.

 

[Fisgard Lag]

Having weighed up all of your [very useful] suggestions and experiences, I have decided to buy a Garmin GPS map 551 and a Tablet PC such as the Toshiba M400. I like the idea of the SH AIS VHF radio and compatibility with a CP180 but I was swayed by the fact that the Garmin uses a more modern format and is more up to date than the SH. After all, safe Navigation is my primary aim (oh and the Garmin with charts is cheaper by some £50 than SH with charts). I have been convinced that the IPAD is not the right tool for my cabin plotter and will seek out a suitable tablet PC / notebook. Not wishing to get drawn into some of the more cynical debates which have ensued with this blog but I would like to say that all of these electronic aids are just that - Aids. My prime driver behind seeking out a tablet PC is to keep my chart table free for the charts which I have used to draw up my route, passage plans, clearing bearings etc etc. Having 'kissed the mud' twice already in my Fin Keeled 'Olli' I will take every measure (affordable) to avoid re-occurance. The cockpit Garmin will provide an enhance view of my current location particularly whilst entering new ports - but only as a back-up to my track drawn on the relevant chart. - Many Thanks for all who contributed to answer my question.