pipinghot
New member
Hi, we are just about to purchase our first boat and were wondering which plotter gps to buy?
thanks
thanks
GPS plotter for newbie
- Thread starter pipinghot
- Start date
S
Skyva_2
Guest
Hi,
A little more information would help - what type of boat are you planning to buy?
A little more information would help - what type of boat are you planning to buy?
richardabeattie
Active member
Budget? Solent or trans Altantic?
Channel Ribs
New member
If you want a hand held - Garmin eTrex with micro SD Bluechart card.
If you want compact fixed - Standard Horizon CP-180 with C-Map Max Mega Wide.
There are stunning deals on both.
If you want compact fixed - Standard Horizon CP-180 with C-Map Max Mega Wide.
There are stunning deals on both.
simonfraser
Well-known member
if mine had a track that remembered vmg, heading etc. that would be good
pipinghot
New member
Boat will be a hillyard to be moored and used around the NW of Scotland. Colour and with a reasonably large screen.
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Recent Admiralty charts come in colour and are about 40" wide, depending on exact model.
pvb
Well-known member
Budget?
[ QUOTE ]
Colour and with a reasonably large screen.
[/ QUOTE ]Your idea of "reasonably large" could be very different from mine! What sort of budget are you thinking of?
[ QUOTE ]
Colour and with a reasonably large screen.
[/ QUOTE ]Your idea of "reasonably large" could be very different from mine! What sort of budget are you thinking of?
wooslehunter
Active member
If this is your first boat, then get some paper charts and learn to navigate properly. You'll need them as you can't see the "whole picture" on a plotter anyway. That's not to say that you don't do it properly with a GPS plotter, but plotting on paper, working up a passage, calculating tidal rates & sets will make you a far better and safer navigator. It's more fun that way anyway. Once you've done that for a few seasons the question you will ask is: "i'd like a chart plotter that does x, y & z", any suggestions?" I'd still recommend a GPS though but just for position fixing. You can still set up routes & follow them but you just don't see it on the plotter.
gjgm
Active member
fair point, made above. A plotter isnt the equivalent of a car sat nav, bcz you do need to know some navigation techniques on a boat. That said, cant help to have this, especially if your radio is dsc, as it will need the gps feed anyway.
If you dont know, there are three core electronic chart plotter electronic chart companies- and whichever plotter you choose will only take one type. Some say, choose your software, and then see which plotter uses it.
Garmin have just released G2, their new software. Its a bit different from Admiralty style charts-supposed to be easier to read/see. A number of their models come with it pre-loaded in the price.
Personally, the one thing that sucks is a menu system that isnt intuitive-Garmins is very good, so they'd get my vote.
Lastly, a great deal of the price is the screen. the size and technology. 5.5" is def better than 5", and dont go any smaller.
Garmin 292 is a good machine-all the charts included, good menus. Its not the cheapest. Malthouse (forum member) does good deals and an extra 5pct discount;try him.
If you dont know, there are three core electronic chart plotter electronic chart companies- and whichever plotter you choose will only take one type. Some say, choose your software, and then see which plotter uses it.
Garmin have just released G2, their new software. Its a bit different from Admiralty style charts-supposed to be easier to read/see. A number of their models come with it pre-loaded in the price.
Personally, the one thing that sucks is a menu system that isnt intuitive-Garmins is very good, so they'd get my vote.
Lastly, a great deal of the price is the screen. the size and technology. 5.5" is def better than 5", and dont go any smaller.
Garmin 292 is a good machine-all the charts included, good menus. Its not the cheapest. Malthouse (forum member) does good deals and an extra 5pct discount;try him.