ELECTRONIC NAVIGATING

[townquay]

I'm thinking of investing a small windfall in an electronic plotter (pretty well decided, actually). The problem is I don't know the best make /value/model/features to look for, etc. and would like to compare various makes,models & systems, each with the other. I just don't get on with all the big fancy manufacturers' brochures as they simply give the details of the indvidual make & model(s) they're pushing or advertising with lots of glossy photos' so I find it an impossibility to compare one type with another by using brochures.
Chandlers catalogues tend to show the models they have available but do not give their comparative capabilities and suchlike.
I've tried going into chandlers and asking for independant advice but they always seem to be either too busy or not to have any real knowledge of the subject other than the stock they might carry in-store.
Large boat- shows are ideal but I don't know of one before Southampton which is months away and I might get tempted to spend the dough on something else (or the missus might find it !) Even there, I've found that one is lucky to have a salesman on the independant supplier's stands with time to show comparisons.)
Is there anybody out there with a suggestion or resolution to my small problem ?

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[ccscott49]

I'd reccomend Garmin for a dedicated plotter.

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[vyv_cox]

First, look <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.joe.mehaffey.com/>here</A> for loads of independent advice. Unfortunately not very much of it about marine charting but quite a bit about the sets.

I agree that Garmin is excellent. Be aware that the G-chart versions are now obsolete. The charts were last updated last year and will not be updated again. If you want a 225 with about 10 G-charts, cheap, PM me. I'm about to leap in with both feet and buy either a 2006C or 2010C, dependent upon what will fit the chart table. PBO did a review of colour plotters last year or so and the 2006 (2010 not tested) came out as being in a different league from the others. It's not cheap though, although it is getting cheaper by the week.

Blue-charts are supposedly very good and they are owned by Garmin. I'm told that G-charts were Navionics, who changed the format size, making the Garmin chips useless. This will not happen again so there is a good chance that Blue-charts will be with us for many years to come.

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[tony_brighton]

As far as equipment goes, my advice would be to get as large a screen as you can afford/find space for.

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[Mezzanine]

Second hand Laptop and chart softwear package gives Big Screen and can be used for other applications Navtex, Weather Fax, etc and if you get board you can play games or connect to the internet and while away hours.

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[dave]

I agree

a lap top, fitted in a dedicated position so it can't get damaged, and a software package such as Euronavs "SeaPro" If you email them they will send you a demo disc to try. The dedicated plotter of any make will be out of date in months and superceded by yet something better, i.e. more bells and whistles. The beauty of a lap top and software is the fact to update to a newer version isn't going to cost an arm and a leg, and you don't end up being stuck with last years model that nobody wants. It's easy to get new charts as and when you need them, just an email or a phone call and using a credit card they will give you a pass code to unlock the chart you want from the cd programme disc. I've got a Raytheon radar/plotter I don't use the plotter at all, its easier and better using the laptop.

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[Twister_Ken]

Sparks for laptop

How feasible is it to wire a laptop into 12v dc, and how does amp consumption compare with a plotter?

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[seashaw]

I've just got a marine pc of theses guys www.marinercomputers.co.uk, and its pretty much solved my problems. I was going to buy a electronic plotter to replaced an old one fitted to the boat, but when you look what a pc can do this must be a better choice.

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[gjeffery]

Not quite the same, but any comments on the Yeoman? It seems to have the advantages of portability, and not being a total loss in the event of a power failure

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[ccscott49]

I have one for sale, a yeoman I mean, I used it, but now I'm electronic charted, I dont need it anymore, so it's for sale, it will free up my chart table foor loads of stuff to be dumped on!!

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[qsiv]

Re: Sparks for laptop

PC's are hungrier than dedicated plotters in my experience.

I've got both aboard - the plotter (Raytheon) is waterproof, and for me, does a better job of actually interfacing with the (raytheon autopilot). The PC (using my own software), is better at the passage planning stage, downloading GRIB data and so on. I then tend to shut it down underway, and only crank it up when we get to a significant 'corner' (such as Oessant, Penmarch, Brehat) to check the strategy for the next legs.

One comment I would make is that they are ALL too bright at night even on the dimmest settings, as a result I have a piece of grey perspex I clip over the front to cut down the lightoutput. Dont forget the newer raytheon plotters can also act as radar displays.

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[ccscott49]

Re: Sparks for laptop

I don't know about a plotter, but a laptop is a power hungry beast, but not if you put it to sleep when not looking at it. one touch of the pad/mouse and it's all there again. It's the screen and hardrive, which use the power.

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[pandroid]

Re: Sparks for laptop

I compared two laptops to the Raymarine Colour plotter and they came out about the same. The current varies as to whether the laptop is charging, so its a good idea to start them off fully charged. I used a Targa air 12v adaptor rather than a mains inverter. I set the screen to time out within a minute of use (but the laptop continues to plot)

The figures I measured were: for a Compaq M300, 1.3 amps (2.7 charging). I seem to have lost the figures for the Toshiba but they were a bit higher.

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[colvic]

After almost five years of using a PC as a plotter I wouldn't go near a dedicated one; larger display, no prob interfacing with commercial software and you also have a platform for many many more applications. No, mine isn't in the cockpit but in a wheel/dog house but still gets quite damp at times with the hatches/windows open. Wipe down at th end of the day and as good as new. An Admiralty chart on a 15 inch screen is virtually real size.


Phil

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[jimboaw]

Another vote for laptop. I have been using "The Captain " software onboard for the past 5 years. Just arrived Key West from Mexico at 3am and as usual the night entry was a piece of cake. Getting customs clearance is another matter! It's a holiday W/E . Could have had twenty illegals and half a ton of dope down below. So much for the much ballyhood Dep. of Homeland Security. The Coastguard dock is about 200 yards away and I sit here with my Q flag flying and nobody takes a blind bit of notice.

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[qsiv]

Re: Sparks for laptop

A word of warning - some dongles dont like going to sleep, and wont wake up, crashing the program others are fine. The SeaPro PcCard doesnt like sleeping, the parallel is OK, the MaxSea one allows sleeping..

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[Peppermint]

Re: Why not

Spend some of the money on a decent chart portfolio and the rest on wine women and song?



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[Twister_Ken]

>An Admiralty chart on a 15 inch screen is virtually real size.<

When did you last see an optician?

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[ccscott49]

Re: Sparks for laptop

My navichart program is fine. No dongle etc.

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[vyv_cox]

I must say that I'm amazed at the numbers of people advocating laptops for navigation software. What kind of boats are these? I carry a laptop on board on cruises but there is absolutely nowhere on my Sadler 34 that a laptop can be mounted where it is safe and useful. Taking into account the power requirements, instability of Windows, cable connections required, inability to tie the thing down, etc there is no way, IMHO, that a laptop can fulfill this function. May be different in a big motor sailer with a deck saloon/wheelhouse but not in a cruising yacht. A dedicated plotter sits on the chart table bulkhead where it is fixed, accessible to program, can be used in conjunction with paper charts and almanacs very easily and is well out of the way of all other yachting activites. No comparison.

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