Move or mirror chartplotter.

[brian48]

Hello everyone. I have just bought a Jeanneau 39i and although most things work pretty well I am struggling with viewing the chartplotter. The boat has twin wheels and the plotter is mounted in the back of the central table about 50cms off the deck. The plotter is an axiom 9 with a quantum radar and all the instruments connected in, I guess, thru' seatalk. Everything is Raymarine and it works well but I can't see it. I have looked at a pod and new stainless tube frame on the back of the able to at least bring it up to a sensible height but a Navpod is nearly £500 and the frame would be a few hundred more at least. I could mount it on a frame over the table without a pod as it is supposed to be waterproof but I still need to get a frame made and fitted. I believe the Axiom 9 has a wifi capability so perhaps putting a tablet on a rail mount on the binnacle behind the starboard wheel would work.
Anyway, I'm grateful for any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I use an iPad, other tablets can be used, to mirror my Axiom+ or even control it remotely. I bought a clamp on mount and can mount anywhere, at the wheel, spray hood, down below, its of options on line. By far the lowest cost option. Look up Raymarine Apps to get the relevant App for the tablet system you are using.

The Raymarine Apps are a bit clunky, but just use them and you will soon get the hang of it. Alos finding the WiFi password is clunky and not intuitive, but bumble through the Axiom options and you will find it.

iPad sunlight viewing is not that great, but is adequate at full brightness. I am not looking for perfection so I live with it.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have a PC at the nav station running Open CPN with a mirror display at my cockpit steering station. works well for me

 

[requiem]

I agree that a tablet would be simplest. You could also install a smaller plotter at your preferred helm station.

I'm not sure how much it helps, but often those central displays can be rotated to face the helmsman.

 

[johnalison]

An iPad would work, and I have done it, but it is hardly ideal for anything like an extended leg, by the time you have taken its power needs, visibility in sun and waterproofing into account.

I don't know the boat, but would it be possible to remount the plotter onto something that will swivel enough to make it visible from each helm position?

 

[ashtead]

We have what I always think is a worse position for the raymarine plotter namely down below the wheel on one side. The advantage of a central position in the table is it can be used from both sides but as said 50cm is low . Putting anything on a pod on back of table will create issues though due to bulk plus cost etc . If i were to install a pod with new small plotter would put under the sprayhood -you see this on HR and nijads as standard but I’ve seen someone move the plotter there on a Bavaria . Then you can plot under some protection from cold/rain etc. that said we quite happily use and iPod to mirror /pair by Bluetooth the raymarine and sit under sprayhood on cross channel trips if at night with helm on auto helm and watching ais and/or radar on the iPad. As a backup you can also have navionics on iPad so if the raymarine fails you also have navionics . The other advantage is can take iPad below to plot position on a paper chart say hour taking the position from the paired iPad if another on watch or to discuss options on passage etc .

 

[Irish Rover]

My helm is on the flybridge with no controls in the salon. I also have an Axiom A9 and I use the Raymarine app on a Dooge Rugged R10 tablet to mirror the A9 which let's me view and control the A9. Works well except I direct full sunlight.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

You have 3 options.

1. Buy a pod and mount it on top of the table, as it is a 9 inch version it won't intrude much but does spoil the aesthetic of the cockpit table. Used one like this on a Charter SO409 in Thailand, was OK as it was a small plotter.



2. Find/buy the original bracket mount, and mount it on top of the table - cables will be exposed but it is all weatherproof, may be a theft issue depending on boat location so needs connecting and disconnecting for each trip.

3. Download the Raymarine App and mirror the Axiom to a tablet, mounted near the wheel where the engine controls are. If the Tablet fails you still have the fallback of the plotter with it's usability issues - usual issues with power, sunlight, rain. If you have to buy a rugged tablet it may well end up as expensive as option 1 all in.

My plotter is similarly placed and I went through the same thought process and ended up leaving it where it is. ... but sitting on the transom seat between the wheels and leaning forward it can be used easily.

 

[dunedin]

Our 12 inch plotter is mounted on the back of the table, angled slightly upwards, and it is ideal for us. Visible from both wheels, but importantly during tricky navigation the skipper/navigator can see and control.rhe plotter without the helm being in the way (navigator never helms duringbtricky pilotage - especially if solo as autopilot can do that).

Could the OP make a swinging bracket that allows the plotter to be in the current position in harbour but swung up higher when preferred at sea?

 

[brian48]

Thank you everyone for all these great suggestions. I'll see which one fits my situation best and report back.