Digital Charts & Plotters

[brians]

I have been trying to locate tests or review comparing C-Map, Navionics & G2 but without success.

Similarly, I have also tried to locate recent tests on plotters.

As this kit is developing at pace I really need tests within say the last 12 months.

I take YM and there has been nothing in there. Have any of the other titles done tests?

 

[pagoda]

I have been trying to locate tests or review comparing C-Map, Navionics & G2 but without success.

Similarly, I have also tried to locate recent tests on plotters.

As this kit is developing at pace I really need tests within say the last 12 months.

I take YM and there has been nothing in there. Have any of the other titles done tests?

It maybe depends on how you think you will use it ?
I have a smallish Raymarine plotter with Navionics charts, which works well from the cockpit. Building up routes or similar on that is a slightly tedious business.
I also use a Garmin handheld -with Bluechart Mapping. There are no real obvious differences in detail (other than revision dates detail).
The Garmmin Mapsource software is good for route planning, and creating your own custom waypoints etc. These can be downloaded from a PC easily.
You can also keep specific "tracks" - for future reference if you navigated your way through some particular eye of needle - and want to back track.

If you want to do planning off line (=not in the cockpit in the rain!!), that may be the defining feature?

Graeme

 

[DogWatch]

Pretty much all the sailing press has tested e-charts at some time or another, try the YBW reprint or back-issue service.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I have been trying to locate tests or review comparing C-Map, Navionics & G2 but without success.

Similarly, I have also tried to locate recent tests on plotters.

As this kit is developing at pace I really need tests within say the last 12 months.

I take YM and there has been nothing in there. Have any of the other titles done tests?

If everything changes every twelve months there is an argument that says there is no reason to read those reviews. By the time you have read them, bought the kit and installed it there is probably something better available.


All the major manufacturers do a reasonable job. In my view it's more important to get integration with your other stuff.

 

[Billjratt]

Why don't you try before you buy?
I have Cmap on a laptop, Cmap max on a Cobra and Bluechart on a garmin, and have to say we use the cobra all the time. The Garmin charts look alien to me, I just can't get comfortable with them. They seem to have gone overboard with onshore information, photographs etc, at the expense of underwater contours, and I don't particularly want to zoom out to Google-Earth if I'm planning a long leg.