CHARTPLOTTER

[jam1]

confused re buying internal or external antenna type? Would like to use sometimes at chart table or outside under sprayhood. questions
1. Will internal antenna chartplotter work inside and outside. have friends that have had no problems yet!
2. Can i use same antenna for both inside and outside connections with external antenna type?
3. Can info be relayed from chart table chart plotter to dedicated screen on deck, already have GPS repeater but was thinkin about actual info on chart plotter screen.
4 Is the std horizon 180 any good

Any info most welcome

John

 

[roly_voya]

1. GPS arials usually work below deck on wood or fiberglass boats - I get no measurable reduction in signal under 5/8 plywood - BUT its not guaranteed, trial and error

Jumping to three, the standard way of having internal & external screens is a pair of networked plotters and in this case an internal arial in the outside platter will transfer position data to the internal one. Works fine but your talking mega bucks

In theory if you can get plotter with video output feed this could run a computer screen but daylight viewable waterproof screens are even more expensive than chart plotters!! So the only practical option is to have the plotter on deck and relay screen below but then you have no controls at the chart table.

Depending on what you want to do with it a portable might be the simplest way, the eat batteries and have a small screen but should be fine if you just want it as a backup to paper charts, they work below decks. Your primary nav is still the chart table and paper charts but you can keep an eye on your position in the cockpit using the hand held and double check your charted position at the table.

If you are going to trust it as your prime nav system the sensible system would be a networked set e.g.marine E series or similar with internal arial on cockpit unit and external arial mounted just under deck head. This give two independent chart readers each offering a full backup in case of failure. You then need a dedicated electronics battery so that a flat 'house bank' or disruption from pumps etc don't cause problems and either two independent means of charging e.g. solar panel + engine alt or a backup battery sufficiently large to cove any trip without charging.

Your are looking a 2-3k total which to me seams a bit dear compared to a paper chart £16 + pencil 10p and read the position off a £150 GPS plus handheald backup. Dont be tempted to go for a single unit with no backups, it will go wrong and you will be stuffed that sods law

 

[searover]

i got 2 one down one up, 160i is a very good plotter cheaper to get 2 off 180is than buying one of other make, this way you have a spare if one goes wrong. best of luck..

 

[tjbrace]

I have a Magellan FX324 below. It has a built in antenna and seems ok for the GPS bit. The plot function often freezes the unit and keyboard which can only be reset from the battery switch.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I used a h/h plotter(ray 400c) down below on 3 different boats & it worked fine.At present I have a 7" plotter to the side of the companionway with the aerial on a block velcroed to the top of the hatchway under the canopy & it works fine also.It also means I can move the plotter inside as it is on a removeable RAM pivoting ball bracket fixed to the handrail at the side of the hatchway.
Concerning losing power,whilst this is of course possible,the likelyhood is very small.I have a jumpstart battery pack that I can connect to in emergency as my plotter lead runs off a cigy lighter socket.I find the plotter very useful but also run a Yeoman for traditional fixes etc.

 

[jam1]

Thanks for all advice so far

John