Chartplotter upgrade

[MIKE_MCKIE]

The boat has an elderly, but still functioning Garmin 210, & looking to come into the 21st century. One problem is the diversity of plotters, but more confusing is the chart systems they use. What with Garmin BlueCharts, Navionics, etc etc etc I haven't a clue. I know some do tides & some dont, some have almanacs etc ad infinitum.
Is there anywhere a comparison between the chart systems, so an ancient mariner like me can make an informed choice?
Hope you can help.
Mike

 

[stevebirch2002]

I personally like Garmin. Always good service. I use the 2006 with Bluechart and it comes with tidal curves etc. Easy to use, easy to see in sunlight and robust. All IMHO. Also like a PC with SeaPro or similar software and Yeoman Plotter with real charts. I only have a 27' Vega but I know where I am at all times!

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

Steve, thanks for that, with increasing years, the sunlight visibility is a major factor & tides is a great help. I also use a Yeoman plotter on similar sized boat & would not be without it.

 

[pvb]

Not a lot of difference...

There's not a lot of difference between C-Map and Navionics charts. I've used both and don't have any strong preference. Personally, I'd steer well clear of Garmin, simply because it's their own proprietary system which they can simply choose to discontinue (they did it once with G-charts) forcing people to buy new kit. I've never seen any published comparisons, but if you do a search on this forum for "C-Map" or "Navionics", you'll find a lot of posts offering opinions.

If you're looking for a new plotter, there are some good ones around right now. Go for the biggest colour screen you can afford, combined with the best resolution you can get (the more pixels, the better the chart image). Colour plotters in the £350-550 price range tend to have only 320x240 pixel screens, an exception you might consider shortlisting is the Lowrance 3500C at £389, with a 480x480 pixel 5" screen. If your budget is higher, consider the Raymarine C70 at £779 (exc GPS antenna), with a 640x480 pixel 6.5" screen (and the ability to add radar at a later date). Or the old - but still excellent - Raymarine RL70CRC at £845, with a 640x480 pixel 7" screen and also radar compatible.

 

[Koeketiene]

You can't, IMHO, beat Furuno for durability and ease of use. Got a GP1650 on Yanita (C-Map) and am very pleased with it. There are however cheaper sets on the market. Your needs will depend on the kind of sailing you do. If it's just the odd daytrip why not stick with your old set till it dies?

 

[stevebirch2002]

I believe you cant go wrong with Garmin and always carry a handheld as well that I can plug into the Yeoman in an emergency as I have built a plug and socket system so anything can be plugged into anything else (nmea wise)

 

[FWB]

I have recently installed the Lowrance 3500C. It fantastic. Very high screen resolution. You can overlay data onto the screen---Groundspeed, Battery Voltage etc. It has relative motion, ie the boat icon stays in the middle of the screen and the map moves. It doesnt have to redraw the map as the boat can always be centre screen.
It is far better than I imagined it could be. There is a product emulator and manual free to download from their website. Try it !

 

[duncan]

the data the Lowrance permits you to overlay (different sizes different places) includes a digital voltmeter which can be very usefull................

I have high definition B&W sonar/plotter unit of theirs and find I use it more than the dedicated Garmin (eqivelent model to your existing one)

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

Duncan, Thanks for that, can you post their url as try as I might I cannot find their website.

Thnaks in advance.
Mike

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

SORRY, Should be Dylan!! cant you tell it's friday & I want out of here?

 

[duncan]

Well I will answer anyway............. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Main Lowrance site is here and the fast link to the 3500 product emulator is here - it's a 14.4mb download but well worth it as not only a try before you buy application but to play with/troubleshoot usage after you have bought.
Enjoy

 

[FWB]

Sorry just woken up....to New Labour Dawn, yawn...See that Duncan has helped. Dont forget to download the Manual ! If you go into the gps simulator and set the speed to say 600kts you can "fly" all over the States..great fun. Used to do it for real before I retired, which wasnt so much fun ! Enjoy!

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

Many thanks for all the advice, if I can convince myself I can justify a new one it looks like the Lowrance for sure.
Great simulator, thanks for the idea of flying the USA! I had a go in the 747 sim at Htro about 3 months before 9/11 & we actually "flew" BETWEEN the twin towers & UNDER the bridge!!! It seems it was a regular highlight of the show. One of the group is a very highly qualified glider aerobat & consequently every warning light & alarm in the cockpit was on about 150% of the time, much to the instructors dismay!! You can't quite loop a 747!
Cheers all.
Mike