Lowrance Nauticpath charts

[Relax]

These charts seem to offer great value for money - is there a catch? The whole of the UK for a hundred odd quid?

Anyone using them ??

Can they be used on a laptop with a cardreader - does anyone have experience of this. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[duncanmack]

Lots of folks using them.

If you PM SBC then he can point you in the right direction.

Just thought, he might not be about here very much just now. If you don't get any joy then I can PM you contact details.

Orrabest

 

[Juggler7823]

They are good value for money but lack some detail. Also beware of the tide and current information which supposed to be indicated in live time for time zones other than UT ie France. Setting the local time does not correct this problem. A software update can ne downloaded to version 1.8 but it still does not correct this problem

 

[Relax]

Not being very techie I wondered about the ease of use with a laptop - I have not seen any seperate software for use in this case as with other chart ware - you get the user software then the charts seperately?

Also per another post - which detail is lost? like the position of hard bits of the firmament /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I managed to spend the best part of four hundred quid this year on charts (and it seems not that many charts /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif)and it seems that If I get anything near that good for a small percentage of the cost I've got to look at the possibilities?

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
These charts seem to offer great value for money - is there a catch? The whole of the UK for a hundred odd quid?

Anyone using them ??

Can they be used on a laptop with a cardreader - does anyone have experience of this. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I got the UK/Europe version as a deal with a lowrance plotter. The UK seemed reasonably fine and detailed, but as we got to The Algarve, the detail became sparse. I had also bought the Med. version, which is pretty crap in many places.

I run them in the plotter, with C Map on the laptop.

I would buy a plotter which would use my C map cartridges before buying another Nauticpath chart.

But they may be OK for where you sail.

 

[macd]

I don't have C-Map cartridges, so am spared that dilemma. Yes, the detailed coverage is patchy -- certainly not as good as C-Map (I have the PC version), say. The more minor the port, the less likelyhood of hi-res coverage for it, by and large. I haven't found it a problem, since I have pilot books covering pretty well all the gaps I've encountered (and C-Map on the laptop, if needs be) -- and ports tend to be fairy boat-friendly places, anyway. A few of the minor ports in Portugal have NO up-to-date detailed charts (old surveys, shifting sand banks etc), which no cartridge can compensate for.

Yes, it's not perfect, but it's certainly excellent value for money for anyone contemplating a wide-ranging cruise. £200 gets you Western Europe from Iceland to the Canaries, plus a Med cartridge which includes the Caspian. Doubt I'll be utilising that bit, though.

Not least, most plotters tend to be more convenient than the laptop alternative: daylight-viewable, more-or-less waterproof and much lower power drain. Unless your budget's huge, everything is a compromise -- and I'm content with mine.

 

[Relax]

Seems that C Map appears to have an edge on user friendliness.

Yes everthing is a compromise - my logic is that I'd rather have the laptop on board for various reasons - with Navtex, hopefully for use with the shortwave for weather (have the kit but hav'nt tried it) and internet connection. On the other hand I'm not keen on cutting more holes in the boat and cluttering the cockpit up with more fixed kit. I have a GPS with cockpit repeater but you can get a USBGSP for anly 30 quid so I think I'll go that route.

No doubt most of the above is complete bollocks............... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

I just bought one of these am fitting nxt week will let you know how it works
Seemed exceptional value for money
http://www.mesltd.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=133_32&products_id=1129

No affiliation wot so ever

 

[damo]

Have just ordered one on the advice of Jobsworth - if it turns out cr*p it will be his fault.

No fellation whatsoever

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

Wernt you going to wait till mines fitted
They are superb value for money

Sami_jobbington

 

[macd]

"Seems that C Map appears to have an edge on user friendliness"

I wouldn't say that, if by user friendliness you mean ease of use. Unless you have a pilothouse, a dedicated plotter wins out over a laptop for (excuse geeky jargon) real time nav.
Yes, a laptop can do all sorts of other things, as well -- that's why I have two on board. But the sheer convenience and meagre power demand of a plotter suits me.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Have just ordered one on the advice of Jobsworth - if it turns out cr*p it will be his fault.

No fellation whatsoever

[/ QUOTE ]

That is so cheap it seems to be a no-brainer - as they say.

I have the 3600i which is 5" 480x480 and the display is excellent.

 

[Pinnacle]

You won't regret it - they are great bits of kit! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

No relation, connection etc......

 

[bluedragon]

If they are now £100+ I would pay a little more and go with Navionics (I assume it's for a Lowrance plotter). The competition has forced them into giving UK wide coverage now for the price of their earlier area charts. That's what I'll get for next year. Much clearer / easier to read in my opinion...but make your own decision...compare both options before you buy.