Garmin Bluechart Atlantic UK 'Small' on Garmin Handheld

[CaptainBob]

Garmin Bluechart Atlantic UK \'Small\' on Garmin Handheld

My first season of yachting will be 2008. I already have a Garmin 60CSX which is a mapping handheld capable of running Garmin Bluechart software.

I'm not planning on getting a chartplotter - I want to mainly use paper charts - but I do want the option of using the handheld with charts as an additional check that I'm doing things right.

Question is, how detailed are the charts in the Bluechart Atlantic UK "Small" range? I'm going to be parked quite a way up a tidal river - will the charts cover that, or do I need to go for one of their more expensive products to get tidal rivers covered?

Do I miss out on anything other than extent?

Only looking at the "small" ones initially as I'm not over-stretching myself with plans to go too far quite yet.

Any other thoughts greatfully received.

Many thanks!

 

[oceanfroggie]

Re: Garmin Bluechart Atlantic UK \'Small\' on Garmin Handheld

The detail on Garmin "Bluecharts" is the same irrespective of the model of plotter you use or buy. The only difference is screen size. On smaller screens and hand helds you will use the zoom buttons a lot more to switch from a big picture view to a detailed view for example navigating a narrow channel.

The GpsMap 60CSx will work with the BlueChart Atlantic CD where you can unlock one "regular" sized region, or buy additional unlock codes. Not sure if the charts are also sold on pre-programmed SD cards.

If there is an admiralty paper chart available of your tidal river than it will almost certainly be available to run on any Garmin plotter. The detail on a 60CSx will be the same as one of their 10" plotters such as the 3010C, just a small screen.

PS: Small, regular and large has nothing to do with the level of detail, rather the size of the area covered by the chart. All Garmin charts have the same level of detail.