Chart Plotter...?

[Bru]

An added plus for Raymarine is that Imray have just announced that their charts are now available to run on Raymarine plotters.

That seals the deal as far as I'm concerned! (And moves replacing the C80 on Pagan with a new LIghthouse II supporting plotter from my wish list to my definite to do list )

And I forgot to mention that as well as Navionics vector charts, the latest Raymarine plotters also support Jepperson C-Map charts

 

[Bru]

Big thing for me, i've had problems with Garmin, Raymarine and Navionics kit and the support from Raymarine and Navionics was an absolute disgrace.

Raymarine support was a shambles for a long time prior to the takeover by FLIR. That's all changed now. Navionics support is what it is, OK on some things, not so hot on others (such as the phone version of the Android app which has never worked properly and probably never will!). I've not had any issues with support from either Raymarine or Navionics nor any unexpected problems with either of their products during installation (which is more than can be said for certain other big name kit). To be fair, the same can be said for Garmin

 

[PaulRainbow]

Raymarine support was a shambles for a long time prior to the takeover by FLIR. That's all changed now. Navionics support is what it is

My issues all date back about 5 years.

I have a current problem with getting my AIS working properly from my Garmin AIS 300 VHF to a laptop via bluetooth. Not sure if it's the Garmin unit or the Shipmodul multiplexor but Garmin are being their usual helpful selves.

 

[Bru]

My issues all date back about 5 years.

Things at Raymarine have changed massively since then

I have a current problem with getting my AIS working properly from my Garmin AIS 300 VHF to a laptop via bluetooth. Not sure if it's the Garmin unit or the Shipmodul multiplexor but Garmin are being their usual helpful selves.

I've sent you a PM. (I have an inkling but for reasons I'm not going into it's one for a private conversation)

 

[Rafiki]

I went through the same process in 'upgrading' instruments on Rafiki and spent a lot of time researching budget chartplotters. It struck me that size really is the driver in this market with every inch adding hundreds.
I finally went for a Lowrance Elite something which is first and foremost a Fishfinder but actually a very good chartplotter as well, but only 7" screen which we find adequate. Cost circa £400, excluding the Navionics charts ( circa £190), and I coupled this with a Lowrance VHF for circa £250 which is also an AIS receiver. they both run on NMEA 2000 and/or NMEA 0183. For NMEA 2000 you need to buy various cabling ( circa £100).
Having both bits of kit from Lowrance meant that they couldnt play theblame game when inevitably they didn't initially work as expected.
You should speak to ( or better still visit) Henry Stogdon at Fox's electronics chandlery, he was brillaint at explaining this fast moving technology and pointing me in the right direction to get a good system for a reasonable price, and the prices he offered were very competetive with both physical and online shops.

 

[John 32i]

Thanks all - I got a good deal on a Raymarine A75 which seems to tick the boxes for us....hopefully have it up and running next week