chartplotter pricing

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BlueSkyNick

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for the 5th consecutive boatshow, (London and So'ton) I am thinking about a chartplotter (always had something more important to spend money on).

I keep coming back to Raymarine C'series, partly because I can use my existing Radar scanner as an option. I know there are debates about choosing the chartware first etc, but I am happy enough to settle on the Navionics stuff.

I keep deliberating over the screen size versus the additional cost.

The c70 (6.5") is £850 ish, whereas C80 (8.4") is £1250 ish. From what I can see there is no additional features, simply a larger screen and hence box to put it all in. Similarly, the C120 (12") is another £500 again. The C80 is my favourite as a compromise between screen and overall dimensions, and having space to fit it.


Looking at others, eg Standard Horizon, there are additional features as you move up the scale.

It seems Raymarine are simply pricing to match competitive products, irrespective of the build cost. No surprise there, I suppose - I just wish they wouldn't do it !!
 
Noticed on the back of PBO (Oct 06)that Raymarine have got some special offers on for the boatshow. Sorry can't remember all the details but some big savings. MAybe a chartplotter included in the deals.
 
Personally, I'd go with the smaller. The bigger option is not big enough IMO to make that much difference to what you can see and it is still too small to be used for much planning stuff. I've got the smaller size and find it perfectly adequate for pilotage, etc and use a PC with a 15" screen for planning. I particularly like using the screen for chartplotter, radar, fish finder, etc. Even with split screen the definition of both chartplotter and other screen is more than sufficient for me.
 
thanks for that Chris - I also have a PC for planning and AIS - at the chart table - but want something in the cockpit when navigating in a close environment, such as entering a new location in the dark etc.

The smaller one will also fit better at the wheel.
 
The size depends entirely where you mount the unit and the distance it is from your eye line. A 6” plotter close right in front of you is far superior to a 12” plotter 3ft away from you on some distant nav panel. Our 6” Garmin 2106 mounted right beside the wheel, is easier to read than the 10” Garmin 2010 was on the nav panel behind the chart table. Also pick a size that will bracket or flush mount well on your particular boat, sometimes coming down a size may allow you to mount it closer to your eyes.

BTW, be careful about assumptions relating to your existing scanner. Raymarine (Ratheon) scanners built before 2002 will not work with current C or E series plotters. (eg if you had a HSB series RL70 or RL80 before 2002 then the scanner will not work with the new plotters).
 
There's also the matter of power consumption. Laptops are hungry beasts and have to stay on the chart table. Am I right in thinking that a chart plotter 7 or 8 inch will use less power, no big battery to charge?
Apparently Raymarine also sell refurbished plotters.
Just checked out the A65 basic model. Very attractive if it's reasonably weatherproof.
I can mount one on a door so it's only exposed when we're sailing.
 
good planning about the scanner...........

having checked the specs the 70 and 80 are both vga - 640x480 - which would add me to the C70 list too; subject to it being mounted at an appropriate distance for optimum viewing as already said by others.
 
I just bought a recon C70 from Raymarine direct. It came in a new box, nicely packed with new cables, instruction manual and the only slight defect was a slightly scuffed cover.

Comes with warrenty, and the price:



£568.00 inc VAT and Carriage
 
Bought the Raymarine C70 package from Cactus at last years Southampton boatshow which was the C70 the GPS 125 and the 18" radome. Finally got it all fitted and working early this year and have got to say when crossing the channel to Cherbourg in fog and mist in June it was the proverbial D..gs B...ocks with the radar overlay on the chartplotter with the ships heading lines making it a cinch to avoid them without even seeing them. The screen size I would say is down to your wallet size but the C70 was fine for me.

Now I have upgraded the software (for free) to include AIS I will be searching at Southampton this year for a decent (economic!) AIS receiver- which will be the icing on the cake
 
No the plug is the same, but the older scanner will only work work with HSB series, whereas the post 2002 scanners will work with either C/E series or older HSB displays (eg RL70, RL80 series). If you phone Raymarine with the serial no they will tell you if it will work. According to raymarine it is impractical to upgrade the old scanners. If it is labelled 'Ratheon' then it almost certainly won't work with C/E series. Not 100% sure about the dates, check with Raymarine service who are excellent.
 
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