Chartplotter not fishfinder

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vic008

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Looks like need to replace the Simrad Cruise, and never again-POS!
Are all the plotters bigtime for fishing?;And I dont fish so most of what I pay is a waste.
The Simrad has no sockets so cant connect anything but that is ok. Never done a waypoint.
Any recommendations for chartplotters please.
 
The plotter that I have is a Raymarine model. It has the facility to use a split screen for chart, and, for example, fishfinder. I don't fish, but use the fishfinder when anchoring, to show the seabed in accurate detail.
 
I quite like my Garmin Echomax. I have the 9 inch one. Came complete with EU wide chart. I have it connected to AIS only but one can connect it to everything else on the boat if one wishes.NMEA 1800 & 2000
But whatever you do , avoid the Lorenze range of plotters. My one really was bad.
 
The big market for standalone lowish cost MFD’s is for fishermen in the USA and elsewhere. Hence the big focus on fish finders.

Don’t complain, as it is these sales that create the economies of scale that keeps prices affordable.

People like B&G in particular, and Raymarine lo a lesser degree, have more advanced sailboat functionality - but unless have big network of integrated devices, fancy integrated autopilot and/or racing probably not necessary for you.

Just focus on the functionality you want and ignore the fishy bits.
 
I would have thought a secondhand Garmin 750 might suffice -if buying I would get an AIS receiver at least . Great idea to have one with capability so you can pair display with a pad or phone.
 
vic008 said:
Looks like need to replace the Simrad Cruise, and never again-POS!
Are all the plotters bigtime for fishing?;And I dont fish so most of what I pay is a waste.
The Simrad has no sockets so cant connect anything but that is ok. Never done a waypoint.
Any recommendations for chartplotters please.
Click to expand...
Need more info: what sort of boat, boating, budget, space etc etc
 
All three of the big names have what you are looking for. Raymarine Element, Garmin Echomap and Simrad Cruise all aimed at the smaller boat cruising market. I have the Garmin which was the best buy here as it comes with a full European chart set and also has an NMEA 0183 port. Also consider Onwa from China who have a big range of standalone plotters including with built in AIS if that is of interest. Much cheaper than the big names but you may have to get direct from China. This is the UK distributor site which gives you an idea of range and prices avesmarine.com/product-category/onwa-chart-plotters-with-ais/

Of course what the distributors offer in NZ may be different from here and as suggested in this stand alone sector the big market is small motorboats and fishing hence the emphasis on the fishfinder functions, although here there is a range dedicated more to this market.
 
Just to add to what Tranona said, be aware that Onwa plotters have no IP rating so if you’re mounting plotter ‘outside’ might not be the best choice. That said I have a budget Chinese AIS transponder below decks and it’s never missed a beat.
 
fredrussell said:
Just to add to what Tranona said, be aware that Onwa plotters have no IP rating so if you’re mounting plotter ‘outside’ might not be the best choice. That said I have a budget Chinese AIS transponder below decks and it’s never missed a beat.
Click to expand...

That is not correct .... the Onwa series are rated for 'outside' use.

The rating is IP66 on my KP-39A as example.
 
Refueler said:
That is not correct .... the Onwa series are rated for 'outside' use.

The rating is IP66 on my KP-39A as example.
Click to expand...
I was looking it up as you posted. spec for the KP-38 says --- IPX66
I need a small plotter for inside the cabine to replace my ageing Garmin 152. Do not actually need charts etc but want to hook it to my Yeoman. I have a garmin on deck but want to keep that as a separate entity.
How do you find the Onwa?
Do you like it?
Is it user friendly?
Has it been reliable?
Can I flush mount it into the cabin panel over the chart table, or must one use the bracket?
Thanks
 
fredrussell said:


Are those connections on the rear of a KP39 waterproof? They don’t look it to me.
Click to expand...

Take it up with Onwa .... I have posted the quoted IP rating Onwa state.

It may be an idea to also check what IP ratings mean such as IP 66 :

What does IP66 mean?



Image result for IP66


IP66 rated enclosure provides protection against high pressure (12.5mm) water jets. The test includes the enclosure being subjected to 100 litres per minute of water volume with the pressure of 100 kPa at a distance of 3m for at least 3 minutes. Protected from total dust ingress.

For anyone really worried about it - A small can of Corrosion X will sort it easily ... In fact I would think Corrosion X might be a good idea for ALL units when outside mounted regardless of brand.
 
Daydream believer said:
I was looking it up as you posted. spec for the KP-38 says --- IPX66
I need a small plotter for inside the cabine to replace my ageing Garmin 152. Do not actually need charts etc but want to hook it to my Yeoman. I have a garmin on deck but want to keep that as a separate entity.
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]
K Charts are free and actually very good. I have compared to Navionics and other and I find no real problem for our use.
Daydream believer said:
How do you find the Onwa? Very happy with it ... but I have the 39A with AIS incl.
Do you like it? Yes absolutely .... plus I have taken time to discuss items with Alan who provides A1+ service and advice.
Is it user friendly? If I can use it - anyone can !!
Has it been reliable? Absolutely
Can I flush mount it into the cabin panel over the chart table, or must one use the bracket? The manual gives the template to flush mount - so no problem.
Click to expand...

Daydream believer said:
Thanks
Click to expand...

I have absolutely no commercial connection to Onwa - just a very happy user. It was simple to set up ... AIS is integrated - so no extra add on box ...
 
Well, given that the back of their device is almost certainly not IP66 then it’s a bit of a leap of faith to hope that the front is. The trouble with a fair bit of budget Chinese electrical goods is that bold claims are very often made when selling them. I came very close to buying a KP39 for my previous boat but those connectors (and only that - it’s a great product otherwise) put me off in the end as plotter would have been mounted externally with rear exposed.
 
fredrussell said:
Well, given that the back of their device is almost certainly not IP66 then it’s a bit of a leap of faith to hope that the front is. The trouble with a fair bit of budget Chinese electrical goods is that bold claims are very often made when selling them. I came very close to buying a KP39 for my previous boat but those connectors (and only that - it’s a great product otherwise) put me off in the end as plotter would have been mounted externally with rear exposed.
Click to expand...

I don't think I am only one who has noted on many occasions your aversion to chinese products ....

IP 66 is not immersion standard .... given its actual - I consider the product to comply. When you look at the connedctions on the back - its no worse than many VHF's and other items .... some of those having HIGHER IP ratings !
 
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