chartplotters

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petersto

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Reading a recent sailing mag on the test of various chartplotters the test team stated that there was no point in purchasing one with an external aerial as the internal ones work so well. Any views I was thinking about a standard horizon and is either external or internal. Garmin you could add an aerial after if the internal didnt work.
 
My Lowrance has an internal aerial and wont work in the cabin, so not at the charttable.

However, it works fine at the wheel where I use it, and that is all that matters.

Other have plotters with internal aerials that work OK down below.
 
Confused by the wording of internal and external, do you mean a built in aerial as opposed to a separate aerial? Or an internaly mounted separate receiver as opposed to one mounted outside on the coach roof for example?

My Navman has a separate receiver/aerial which is mounted internaly in the saloon a few feet away from the ploter which is on the chart table. works fine.
 
I don't know about chartplotters, but my Garmin GPS72 (with internal aerial) can get useable GPS reception in the cabin, but never DGPS. This limits the accuracy to the extent that the anchor drag alarm isn't particularly useful. If I'd known that before I bought it I'd have gone for one with an external aerial connector.
 
Often the version with the internal antenna cannot be flush mounted. That was for me the reason to buy the Standard Horizon CP300 external. Also I have it now connected to a Furuno GPS that effectively feeds the plotter instead of the original antenna. The Furuno was already there and also nicely flush mounted.

Arno
 
I have the Standard Horizon 300i with internal areal. It works the same way whether inside or outside. I recommend it.
 
Excellent capn that just what I wanted to hear someone with the very chartplotter I am thinking of buying. Mostly it would be used under the sprayhood but it would be nice to plan in the comfort of the cabin but without the extra wire. The reason I ask is that I have a Garmin 12 gps(handheld) and that doesnt work in the cabin.
 
I also have the horizon 300 with internal antenna. Works just fine in the cabin. Also has added advantage that I can take it off the boat and use it at home - just needs a 12v supply.
 
[ QUOTE ]
... it would be nice to plan in the comfort of the cabin ...

[/ QUOTE ]
If you are using the plotter for planning (rather than navigating) why do you need a GPS signal?
 
Another vote for Internal - I have internal (ie integral) aerials on both Chartplotter & back-up GPS. Both work well under the sprayhood where they are needed and as others say, they can be taken home.
 
I also have the standard horizon with built in antenna that I could use in the cockpit and inside and agree that it works in both locations however sitting at home I cant remember the gps term but it picks up a different signal down below which is not as accurate when used in the cockpit not that I noticed a real difference. other than that I am really happy with the standard horizon chart plotter. Not so happy with the hand held VHF radio but thats another story
 
Thanks to everyone for the replies it looks like internal(integral) which has the advantage of being cheaper and less wires. You cant beat views. from the coalface
 
Another vote for for the SH 300i. It works fine in both wheelhouse or cabin. Links well with a SH GX1500 VHF, AIS and radar (although the radar has to be SITEX). But then I have a GRP boat, not much hope under steel or Ali.
 
Yes, if you want to do your navigating in the warm you would need the GPS input.
Despite what rogerelaine thinks, I was trying to be helpful - honest.
 
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