Chartplotters on display. Where ?

[Mike_S]

I'm after a chartplotter but would prefer to have a play with a few before committing the hard earned to one. Trouble is, the local emporiums in cardiff don't have any on display at all, so it looks like I'll have to travel to do so. I'm happy to drive for a couple of hours (I can get to Southampton in that time) so if anyone can recommend a chandlers with a good sized display of various makes I'd appreciate it.

Cheers

Mike.

 

[longjohnsilver]

A bit closer would be MES in Bristol, only a mile or so off the Mway and good prices. They used to have a good selection on display, give them a ring.

 

[duncan]

seconded mes - esp for you in cardiff!

 

[Mike_S]

May have to pay them a visit tomorrow if the weather's crap, the website certainly lists some of the kit I'm looking into.

Good excuse to go into Costco at the same time.

 

[Mike_S]

Bugger

They don't open at weekends. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Anyone know of others that do ?

 

[Channel Ribs]

What is on your list of toys for the fiddling?

 

[Mike_S]

Bear in mind I'm new to all this boating stuff, so I'm impressed by all the flashy lights and buttons /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

It's not so much the 'which ones' as the 'what fits' situation. I've got a Regal 2150 and the dash is all very ergonomically designed /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif . In other words, it's curvy and has next to bugger all room for a chartplotter without putting it in front of the instrumentation so I want to go and have a look at all the makes and see what will fit in and do the job. If I'm buying a chartplotter it might as well be one that can be a fishfinder as well, for that odd occasion where we may dump a bit of string over the back. Needs to link to my Raymarine DSC VHF (which most should do I'm told).

Given the space, it's unlikely that anything bigger than a 6" screen will fit. It'll also have to be wide rather than tall, iyswim. I've set a budget of £5-800 and I'm looking to buy either here or the US, depending on where I can get the best deal (have friends going to the US in a couple of weeks).

 

[BrendanS]

The round dash mount of the Garmin 276c fits perfectly in the cupholder on the dash, which gives it a a good viewing position

 

[Mike_S]

Cheers, the local marine sparky had suggested using that as a mounting point as well, with a Lowrance plotter I think.

My other thought was to remove the cover of the little tray on the top of the dash and fabricate a mount using the hinge screw points. It'll have to be fabricated though as the hinge is on an angle across the top of the dash.

 

[Chas25]

[ QUOTE ]

Given the space, it's unlikely that anything bigger than a 6" screen will fit. It'll also have to be wide rather than tall, iyswim. I've set a budget of £5-800

[/ QUOTE ]

Standard Horizon CP155 may fit the bill, someone else on the forum has recently got a quote from JG Technology in Weymouth for £250, I run this plotter and have done for 2-3 years, very pleased with it.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
with a Lowrance plotter I think.

[/ QUOTE ]

If a Lowrance fits, it's a good plotter with high resolution. I would definitely get the Navionics charts if I was buying again.

Mailspeed Marine in Warrington display a lot of plotters.... I would guess their other branches do the same.

 

[Sinbad2222]

If you use Navionics charts with any Lowrance plotter you will get totally incorrect tidal information displayed.

 

[Frontier]

There must be loads of plotters installed in boats near you.

Come on Cardiff Bay forumites invite Mike over for a play.

If you are passing Chichester any time PM me and you can have a play with my Standard Horizon.