Chartplotter Conundrum!

[chockswahay]

Hi Team, so here's the brief:

We have a Garmin 551 already fitted to the boat, a Lowrance 3500c in a box from previous boat, and Navionics Boating App on Iphone 6

Both of the 'proper' GPS systems are fairly old now with very out of date charts. I like the speed and efficiency of the Navionics App on the (by comparison) powerful iphone but of course the screen is small and none to bright outside!

Would anyone out there have any advice please on suitable replacements for any/all of the above? To be honest I am trying to save money on this and updating the chart on either chartplotter is tempting .......... but........ they are so flippin 'clunky' and slow in their operation and certainly not very user friendly or fast when it comes to planning. I am tempted by a 'cheap' Android tablet with GPS inbuilt and sticking it in a 'waterproof' case ........

I can't help but think that the Navionics Boating App is remarkable value for money and very slick in its operation ............ but it's not 'proper' (!)

All thoughts and any advice welcomed please

Ta

Edit: or would you recommend a cheap chartplotter replacement (and if so would a new one be able to simply plug in to the old Garmin 551 power supply (single lead into the 551 for both power and GPS module) ?

 

[Refueler]

I have a 3500C and it serves me well ...

If you ever think about getting rid of the 3500C ... let me know - I have a job for it ...

The only thing I don't like about it - the stiff heavy cables.

Planning - I use PC based charting ... create my route .. save and then import to the 3500C ... I can even create own charts for areas such the river I live next to ..

 

[Norman_E]

Before buying an Android tablet check with someone who owns one as I have heard that the Navionics charts lose detail on Android, compared with an iPad.. Neither tablet is going to be bright enough in sunlight so a proper chartplotter is still the best solution. Big ones are pretty expensive and I use a B&G Vulcan 7 as a reasonable compromise between size and price. The big added cost is the charts, which makes this look interesting, though I don't know what its base map covers. Simrad Cruise-7,ROW Base Chart with 83/200 XDCR 000-14999-001 At least you could add a local area C-map if you don't like the base chart.

 

[FlyingGoose]

Have a look at Londonchartplotters for some ideas and tips
I use a main computer in the cabin with OPEN CPN with UK admiralty maps for around £25 for the whole of the UK , I can then use a second device for these maps and use a 10.1 inch Android tablet in a waterproof case with GPS at the helm .bolted onto a stainless frame .
Pros , its cheap , the charts are cheap and OPCPN is great have used it all over Scotland no issues .
Its cheap and great charts
Mobile can take it of the helm and lock it away
I have 2 dedicated systems for navigation

Cons the screen can be hard to see in daylight , I use a sun cover for this ! but still not the best,

I tend to use paper charts and plot the course and work out my sailing route and hazzards , so I Dont look at the tablet too much , I like the view I also have my AIS wireless connected to OPEN CPN so that helps and I have a stand alone radar but if I wanted to I can plug and go wit h OPEN CPN on the modern Radars out there

It is not for every one and like an anchor thread it will be scourned or defened to the hilt it is a personnel choice and saving a lot of money IMHO

 

[ashtead]

If you are used to Garmin and looking to replace it I would stick to same brand and not be tempted to other offerings by Raymarine etc . I don’t know what cheapest garmin plotter is current but ideally you would find one which pairs via Bluetooth to the iphone6 so you can have the plotter up top and readetc below but mindful budget might not stretch to a new garmin-it used to be a 750 I think but speak to garmin maybe as a starter.

 

[Deleted member 478]

Think back to radar screens that were not sun-readable. That wasn't that long ago. Tablet screens will evolve even faster, as well as becoming cheaper.

Go with the tablet solution.

 

[differentroads]

I use Navionics on a tablet for route planning and setting waypoints. I've a 10'' tablet at the chart table which can be mounted on the binnacle too. Rarely do so though as I prefer to focus on what I can see outside the guardrails rather than a screen. And being forced to go below to check the screen at the chart table means the log gets filled in, water bottles refilled, etc. I usually sketch the last few miles before arrival at a new harbour or anchorage as a pilotage plan in order to combine all the intell that I use (pilot books, Navily, almanac, different charts at different scales.)

My wife and I have two other tablets and two phones all synced via Navionics when in phone signal range. The navigation tablet is used exclusively for nav though, and not cluttered up and slowed down with the scores of other apps I use on other devices. It's a Samsung Galaxy Tab A that I bought second hand for £120 five years ago and its still working well. The Otterbox that protects it cost £80 which seemed crazy at the time but was also a good investment.

I also have OpenCPN on a laptop with UKHO and Dutch NV Charts raster charts alongside their paper equivalents. The tablet is much faster and more flexible to use than the laptop in my experience, important when changing plans on the hoof. Also, Navionics updates daily, whereas my raster charts update much less frequently and less easily. It contains tide and current data too. And Navionics has user input that I find useful such as advice on anchorages and marinas.

I still hanker after a chart plotter in the cockpit. Sunlight viewing, assured waterproofing and not overheating like the tablet does if exposed to Mediterranean mid summer sun would be the only benefits though. And for me those don't justify the thousand pound price tag of a large screen plotter plus the charts that I need. Nor even the cost of a second hand one. Nor would I get a small screen plotter. A large screen is important to see both detail and the wider context.

 

[Daydream believer]

I would suggest that you look at the garmin Echomap. I have a 950Sc but smaller sizes are cheaper & it comes with navionics installed which has to be considered in costing. I understand that raymarine use navionics ( or a version) but garmin have bought the rights to navionics. Forumites may comment or correct me.
Their latest plotters have all the wifi gizmos & connectivity to later versions of Ipads & iphones. (The forum have just explained to me how to connect!!!!)
I expect that as it does Nmea 1800 & 2000 you should be able to connect to old plotters

 

[Refueler]

There's no need to spend big money on tablets .....

Banggood has excellent Mediatek tablets at half the price of mainstream .. my latest is Dual 3G sim (one is 3+) ... 16Gb internal ad up to 164Gb SD .... 10" .... cost was about 180 euros and is faster than my mates latest Samsung Tab ... and with the extra sim etc. Screen is rated for daylight viewing - but in bright sunlight - a hood is needed.

I would give a link to mine - but I g'tee there are even better ones there now

I have CA Captains Mate installed and it runs fine ...

 

[chockswahay]

Have a look at Londonchartplotters for some ideas and tips

Looks good, anyone have any experience of using them?

I would suggest that you look at the garmin Echomap. I have a 950Sc but smaller sizes are cheaper & it comes with navionics installed

That's interesting, I had wondered about the Garmin Echomap Plus 65CV .............are these things faster/easier to use than the old 551 (coz the 551 is really slow and clunky to plan with)?

 

[chockswahay]

If you ever think about getting rid of the 3500C ... let me know - I have a job for it ...

I will be selling the 3500 with an old (ready to update) UKSW chart if you or anyone is interested?

There's no need to spend big money on tablets .....

Banggood has excellent Mediatek tablets at half the price of mainstream .. my latest is Dual 3G sim (one is 3+) ... 16Gb internal ad up to 164Gb SD .... 10" .... cost was about 180 euros and is faster than my mates latest Samsung Tab ...

This is getting interesting!

 

[Refueler]

I will be selling the 3500 with an old (ready to update) UKSW chart if you or anyone is interested?




This is getting interesting!

Depends on price ... chart is not really much interest to me as I am now baltic based and I have all the charts I need including the Lowrance cards ....

If the card is Navionics .... maybe ... cause I know what to do with them !!

As regards the tablet .... yes ... there are some excellent tabs out there - if you are willing to forego the brand label ...

I have two Mediatek tabs ... and both are excellent ...

 

[Daydream believer]

That's interesting, I had wondered about the Garmin Echomap Plus 65CV .............are these things faster/easier to use than the old 551 (coz the 551 is really slow and clunky to plan with)?

My 95 is as good as my friends' latest raymarine( not sure what they call it), with 9 inch screen, for speed

 

[chockswahay]

Right then, I can't believe it's taken me this long to realise that I can update the built in Bluechart G2 to the current Bluechart G3 for £60

I'll do this and still get a cheap tablet for the Navionics App

Thanks chaps

 

[Pete7]

We have had a Garmin 555s in place of a compass on the binacle. Brilliant bit of kit for a small CP and easily displays AIS. So I wouldn't rush to relegate it and would suggest updating the chart. It wasn't cheap but we only do it every 2-3 years.

However, they still sell for good money and good time of year to sell.