Quandary
Well-Known Member
Imray digital charts
You do not get all of the Uk in one package, there are two one for W. side GB plus Ireland and a second package for East. I have used it for two years now and like it, particularly the Meridian Tide Info. However if your paper charts are all Admiralty I would suggest going with that package as it is then easier to transfer info. On the Imray package you get only the information displayed on their paper charts so harbour details etc. are only those the already provide on paper. That said, it serves us well in N.W. Scotland
I also have a Vodafone pay as you go Broadband dongle which is great for downloading up to date weather maps etc. very cheap to run but a little slower than at home, however inshore coverage as you go up North is poorer and in ports like Loch Inver you need to be a couple of miles offshore to get a signal. While we have an inverter we use a selectable direct power supply converter which is much more frugal as the laptop is running most of the time.
The laptop sits over the charts in use on the chart table with a foam shock absorbing pad under, (don't forget to cut a hole for any vents on the bottom of the laptop) it is held down by a bit of flat braid plus shockcord.
You do not get all of the Uk in one package, there are two one for W. side GB plus Ireland and a second package for East. I have used it for two years now and like it, particularly the Meridian Tide Info. However if your paper charts are all Admiralty I would suggest going with that package as it is then easier to transfer info. On the Imray package you get only the information displayed on their paper charts so harbour details etc. are only those the already provide on paper. That said, it serves us well in N.W. Scotland
I also have a Vodafone pay as you go Broadband dongle which is great for downloading up to date weather maps etc. very cheap to run but a little slower than at home, however inshore coverage as you go up North is poorer and in ports like Loch Inver you need to be a couple of miles offshore to get a signal. While we have an inverter we use a selectable direct power supply converter which is much more frugal as the laptop is running most of the time.
The laptop sits over the charts in use on the chart table with a foam shock absorbing pad under, (don't forget to cut a hole for any vents on the bottom of the laptop) it is held down by a bit of flat braid plus shockcord.