Help on chartplotters please

[EASLOOP]

I have looked through the web sites for a chartplotter that not only gives my position on electronic charts etc but also actual depth of water under my keel. I have been unsuccessful in finding one that states it includes depth and displays it on the display panel. Is there such a beast or am I just being a bit thick and not understanding the specs on these units?
Does anyone have a view on the best systems available? I have a budget of about up to £450. (My 60th is coming up so its 'soak' the kids time, heh heh - talk about getting my own back!)
Looking forward to your replies.

 

[jecuk]

As far as I know, they all operate like charts ie show water depth as you would get on a chart. I just bought the Standard Horizon 300i and it works very well and has normal depths marked (using C-Max Wide charts). Make sure you get a relevant chart cartridge for the area you are going to be using it in.

 

[EASLOOP]

Yes, I understand that the 'chart' will show the depths at MLWS but I want to see the ACTUAL depth of water under my keel at any given tide height - I don't like running aground. It may not be possible in a a combined unit but I am not sure.

 

[Nick_Pam]

With a Raymarine setup, the depth information comes from the 60/70 etc series sender in the hull, which feeds its own disply. The data can be also displayed on any unit that can "read" IMEA code...ie you can display actual depth on the status bar of a C70/80/120 or E/G series by linking them via Seatalk and/or IMEA to the depth sounder on your boat. The content of the status bar is customisable via the setup screens.

AFAIK It can only be done that way though - the plotter would have to rely on external data and I do not believe a "calculated depth" based on inbuilt tide tables and the current date/time is possible either.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Am I being dull as I thought the actual depth is shown on your echo sounder.

Are you going to be in a position where you say, "I can't be aground, the chart plotter says there's water here..."?

On a slightly less flippant note, why can't you have an echo sounder display near the plotter?

 

[jecuk]

Some, like the SH have tidal calculators in them but they don't adjust the charts dynamically to reflect changed tides. I think that would have the potential for significant confusion.

 

[tom52]

I am sure the Raymarine C or E series display depths if you have the transducer. Standard horizon will also display depths with the fishfinder added.
Unfortunately £450 will not come close to any Raymarine and for Standard Horizon, their 7" screen costs more than £500 without the fishfinder.
I suspect many others are multifunctional and will display depth under the keel with the necessary NMEA input from a depth transducer/fishfinder but whether real time depth can be displayed "on the chart" not only under the keel but everywhere else the chart covers I suspect not.

 

[iangrant]

The Raymarine C and E series display the seatalk data in a "databox" this pic shows the data on a PC running Raytech Navigator

[image]

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When connected to the E series this info is displayed on the screen.

A cheap laptop and the NMEA/Seatalk connected to the laptop will give you what you are looking for.

Ian

 

[EASLOOP]

Yes, I can get actual depth using my rather ancient echo sounder. What I thought would be possible would to be to have one integrated unit with its own transducer and hence depth display.
Judging by everyone's replies it may not be possible to do what I want to do. Or perhaps a unit with a fishfinder would give accurate display of depth under the keel.
Is that possible? If not then why not?
Thanks for everyone's help so far.

 

[Norman_E]

With that budget I would buy a plotter without worrying over depth display (Standard Horizon 180 series look good although screen resolution is limited, and can be had within budget complete with a wide area chart).

If you were to have depth output from a sounder displayed on the plotter it will take up screen space that you really want to use for the chart. At the price range you quote the plotter will have about a 5 inch screen. A separate depth instrument is a better bet and reasonably cheap.

P.S. If you can squeeze any more money out of the kids, look at the Standard Horizon 300 series which have very nice screen resolution.

 

[pvb]

[ QUOTE ]
What I thought would be possible would to be to have one integrated unit with its own transducer and hence depth display.
Judging by everyone's replies it may not be possible to do what I want to do.

[/ QUOTE ]Yes, you can achieve this with most chartplotters. All you need is a depth transducer giving NMEA output. You can buy these as stand-alone transducers, or alternatively just buy a cheapish depth instrument and take the NMEA from the display (the cost will be about the same). You then just need to configure the chartplotter's data display to show depth. The Standard Horizon CP180 plotter would do the job and, at around £300, you could get the whole thing inc transducer within your £450 budget.

 

[EASLOOP]

Thank you for all of your comments/suggestions etc. I now have a better understanding of what is going on and will be able to make better use manufacturers specs etc.
May be I can squeeze another £100 out of the kids.
Thanks again.

 

[oxman]

Lowrance do what you want as well -

Here is an example - I have no connection - Lowrance GPS/Sonar Combi

I have just bought the Lowrance 5200c - not sure if I can add a depth but expect so - very nice piece of kit with basic West Europe charts included.

 

[moody1]

There are many combined Chartplotters and depth sounders, but the reason we didn't buy for our boat was the split display results in limited view of charting. We then saw eagle and Lowrance who like some other plotters allow input to dialogue box on screen. So chart display is still full screen with data box's placed where you like. Depth data of course coming from tranducer mounted in boat.
Tidal data is shown in info box at selected tide stations, along with current.

 

[Talbot]

Navman do a unit that does chart plotter and fish finder

 

[moody1]

Split screen displays are fine if you have a big screen. We decided against them as the navigational display was so reduced as to make it too small for real use. But the design where a small box displays pure digital depth numbers was much better. You can resize the numbers to your preferred size, you can make box transparent so mapping is still visible underneath.
The data input is pure NMEA or later NMEA 2000 and does not have to be same manufacturer. Most reasonable even budget gear will talk to each other. Only one that seems to buck the market is Raymarine with Seatalk. A personal opinion of ours that makes us stay away from Raymarine gear.