Chartplotters

[Elemental]

I'm finally considering a chartplotter ...

Some of you will know my resistance to these devices in favour of manual plots on paper charts... Even the onboard Garmin GPS is only used infrequently. However, I am becoming persuaded of the value of AIS in poor visibility conditions and as I will be delivering SeaSpray to the Channel Isles in the summer (and cruising there and homeward) I'll be spending quite some time in the Channel offshore where AIS seems a sensible addition. If I'm going to have one, I want to make sure I choose the right one.

So, I turn to this learned group for two things...

1. Recs for a chartplotter - probably to be mounted in front of the helm on top of the instrument 'hoop'. Must have either inbuilt AIS, or AIS overlay capability. In which case a rec. for an AIS receiver would be appreciated.

2. Where can I go and see as wide a range of plotters as possible? I hate just buying off the web unless I've handled the unit first? I'm based at Woolverstone - do Fox's have many. I'll be at the marina most of the Easter weekend so the odd trip out to somewhere reasonably local will be welcome.

Cheers, Mark

 

[sailorman]

I'm finally considering a chartplotter ...

Some of you will know my resistance to these devices in favour of manual plots on paper charts... Even the onboard Garmin GPS is only used infrequently. However, I am becoming persuaded of the value of AIS in poor visibility conditions and as I will be delivering SeaSpray to the Channel Isles in the summer (and cruising there and homeward) I'll be spending quite some time in the Channel offshore where AIS seems a sensible addition. If I'm going to have one, I want to make sure I choose the right one.

So, I turn to this learned group for two things...

1. Recs for a chartplotter - probably to be mounted in front of the helm on top of the instrument 'hoop'. Must have either inbuilt AIS, or AIS overlay capability. In which case a rec. for an AIS receiver would be appreciated.

2. Where can I go and see as wide a range of plotters as possible? I hate just buying off the web unless I've handled the unit first? I'm based at Woolverstone - do Fox's have many. I'll be at the marina most of the Easter weekend so the odd trip out to somewhere reasonably local will be welcome.

Cheers, Mark

Henry @ Foxs has a comprehensive range on display

 

[TimfromMersea]

Chart Plotters

Seamark Nunn have a wide range and next weekend is their 'spring sale' where they are offering discounts, and will have representatives from the various manufacturers on hand to answer any queries.

I use a Navman / Northstar one, which is very easy to use and incorporates AIS but you need a separate AIS receiver as well (mine is a NASA one). It uses a dedicated pushpit aerial and although obviously pushpit mounting is not as good as mast head for range, I still pick up AIS signals at 15 miles away.

 

[Norfolknick]

Inbuilt AIS

I'm not an expert on chartplotters - but I am a real convert! Indeed the Navionics on my iphone has recently saved my skin during a tricky delivery trip! As an ex RN navigator I have had 3 point fixing and paper chartwork beaten into the depths of my soul!

To my knowledge I don't think there are any plotters that have an inbuilt AIS capability. As long as the unit has an NMEA input then any of the major AIS setups will work. The NASA version is good value.

However, caution needs to be had as to the number of NMEA inputs and outputs. On the assumption that you have a GMDSS VHF set (?) then the chartplotter will need an output to the VHF set. You will then have an input from your AIS, your GPS aerial and if you have radar then that as well. Further you may want to have an input from your log such that you have speed through the water (VMG) as well as speed over the ground.

Mounting your plotter on the wheel binnacle is a great idea - although you will need to be mindful of the size restrictions this has and whether you can actually read the detail you need (depth, tidal diamonds, pilotage etc). Yachting Monthly in January had a great article of mounting a unit on the cockpit bulkhead which is something I would certainly consider.

Finally you should look at how the units work - some of the cheaper (but no less effective) units still have buttons and joysticks. newer slightly more expensive units use touch screens to interact with the data. Touch screens are likely to be the way ahead due to the improved plastics and the improved waterproof nature of a sealed unit. This is especially key if you are mounting the unit externally.

The team at Fox's are very good and have a good range, I would also head to the Seamark sale for a good deal (perhaps after exploiting the knowledge and advice at Fox's).

Sorry for the splurge download but I hope it is of some value.

 

[Wunja]

To my knowledge I don't think there are any plotters that have an inbuilt AIS capability. As long as the unit has an NMEA input then any of the major AIS setups will work. The NASA version is good value.

Digital Yacht make a chart plotter with inbuilt 2 band AIS receiver. I'm thinking about getting one, but it is new technology and I would like to see some reviews from an owner before I commit my drinking vouchers to getting one.

 

[Elemental]

To my knowledge I don't think there are any plotters that have an inbuilt AIS capability.

The only one I know of is the Digital Yacht SC500 but it sounds like an obvious combination.

Finally you should look at how the units work - some of the cheaper (but no less effective) units still have buttons and joysticks. newer slightly more expensive units use touch screens to interact with the data.

Which is exactly why I want to go and play with them - I agree with your sentiment about touch screens.

Sorry for the splurge download but I hope it is of some value.

Exactly the sort of response I'm looking for - thanks.

 

[Elemental]

Digital Yacht make a chart plotter with inbuilt 2 band AIS receiver. I'm thinking about getting one, but it is new technology and I would like to see some reviews from an owner before I commit my drinking vouchers to getting one.

I've seen the SC500. It's only a 5 inch display though and I'm wondering whether a 7 inch display is a better option nowadays. I do like the idea of a single unit (one less thing to wire/worry about).

 

[Channel Ribs]

Recs for a chartplotter....

Hi Mark, do you have a sense of what screen size you would favour and do you prefer any of the electronic chart styles?

Martin

 

[Sadlermike]

I never thought I would be seen dead with a chartplotter but bought a combined radar/chartplotter when my stand alone radar failed and I found that combined units dominate the market. I am an unashamed convert!

Two points to add to previous posts:

1 A single display might be convenient but all your eggs are in one basket. (I once sailed in a B&G equipped boat whose central processor failed and all the instruments went down.) I have the radar and chartplotter interfaced but AIS is a separate system with its own display.

2 Buy the biggest screen you can afford. Size matters for clarity in difficult situations, to avail yourself of the miriad features you think you will never use but which will add interest (and safety) to any trip and when you use the split screen facility.

 

[Elemental]

Hi Mark, do you have a sense of what screen size you would favour and do you prefer any of the electronic chart styles?
Martin

Not really sure about either at the moment. I still expect to use paper charts so I guess screen size isn't overly important (although sadlermike makes a good point about split screen functionality). Also, I don't want the unit to be too big overall as it'll be mounted above the instrument on the hoop in front of the helmsman - the cockpit is a bit big for it to be mounted on the bulkhead next to the companionway...
Having had a quick look it seems touch screen is a bit pricey - more than I want to spend at the moment anyway...

Regarding chart styles, the only plotter I've used in anger at length is a Standard Horizon CP175 - I think that uses C-MAP?

Mark

 

[Channel Ribs]

Keeping the size down is also a good way to keep the cost down, all the money is in the screen - as they say.

Something up to 8 or 9 inches is probably the max?

Horizon do use C-Map, which are like Navionics in that they resemble Admiralty paper charts. Garmin's own brand of chart data looks more like Imray, to me anyway.

Something like a Garmin 750 and Navicom 650 is going to give you AIS displayed on a readable screen and would come in at about 1000 pounds.

You also have a certain amount of "future proof" in that you can add sonar and radar to that setup as you choose.