chart plotter that shows actual depths

[simonfraser]

Hi,

does one exist that diplays "real" sail as you go depths, preferably one that shows no go contours

if so which one do you suggest ?

many thanks for your feedback, Simon

 

[duncan]

simple answer is no and yes to your 2 underlying questions

no to actual depths as even if it had the tidal data programmed and picked up time and date from the GPS signal it may not have an actual spot depth charted for your current position.

yes I believe that some units can be programmed to show areas of charted depth over and above the charted contours but these will still be dependent on there being sufficient underlying data and will be chart depth leaving you to do the maths. Definitely seen it as a function on something in the last year.
In most cases I thought most people used the 2m depth contour for this purpose - which is convieniently in bold or a different colour on most units. Equally 0 plus current tide is another usefull quick reference.
After that it's down to a full blown nav plan working out in advance where you can go when and makeing sure you stick to it!

 

[ChrisE]

Assuming that you mean one that dynamically updates the charted depths shown on the chart then, as Duncan says none that I'm aware of. If you mean can you show spot depths and can you set your own no-go contours then yes, I have a C-Maps driven by Raymarine C-series chartplotter that does this and I'm sure that other mapping system and chartplotter combinations will do the same.

 

[simonfraser]

Hi Chris,

yes, that's what i meant, dynamical updates.

the spot depths you do on the C-series, i guess you have to ask/click for those, they are not displayed real time?

thanks, Simon

 

[Guest]

If you go PC based plotting - then various packages such as CMap93 have in-built depth monitoring - set by the dilaogue box's you input vessel data into.

As to Chart plotters doing it - haven't seen one yet ... bhut I'm sure their must be something out there ?? I know you can have E/S data displayed as well on many .... but that is not what you are looking for .....

 

[steverow]

Yep, Nigel's right. CmapECS and latest versions of Maxsea have an anti-grounding alarm which intelligently interprets the spot soundings on the map and gives you an audible warning if there is an Island in the way for instance, however these need C-mapCM93/2 or 3 charts to work which are very expensive.
Maxsea has what is called a PBG a "Personal Bathymetry generator"...where you
can record actual depths from your sounder and then build up an image of the seabed..but to get a detailed view you will need to do an awful lot of sailing up and down...and by that time you will have got familiar with the waters anyway.
I suppose it's use would be in fishing or dredging.
Ive never used it myself as I'm not a Maxsea user..but Ive seen it.

I suspect that you might find what you are looking for if you go to a specialised survey ECDIS system...but there is nothing in the Leisure market other than that mentioned.

Steve.

 

[ChrisE]

The spot depths are chart depths, ie the same as you would see on a paper chart and just as dynamic /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jeremyshaw]

The new Raymarine A65 is a chartplotter/fishfinder combo. Doesn't seem to overlay, but shows the actual depths side by side with the chart, so goes some way to what you want.