cherod
N/A
if you already have PLotter , Radar , GPS , AIS , Navionics etc is Navtex still worth having ?
Navtex
- Thread starter cherod
- Start date
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I asked this in another thread ...
In my view ... if you go far enough offshore - then yes.
If you are a Coast Hugger as most are ... then its limited because you can get Mobile phone coverage and data ... Navtex is generally available online and can be read on your Tablet / Phone / PC.
In my view ... if you go far enough offshore - then yes.
If you are a Coast Hugger as most are ... then its limited because you can get Mobile phone coverage and data ... Navtex is generally available online and can be read on your Tablet / Phone / PC.
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
None of those do what Navtex does, which is to provide warnings to navigators of transient events. For example, on the west coast of Scotland, you get warnings of military exercises (which may include GPS jamming!). Other warnings may include buoys being off station, large and unusual tows and much more. It also provides an alternative source of weather data. The real problem is that the data stream is rather indiscriminate; it can be difficult to separate wheat from chaff! I don't regard it as essential, but the things you name aren't replacements for it
cherod
N/A
eg, overnite , 15 miles off ?
cherod
N/A
thank you .
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I have a Navtex that has given up the ghost and I was considering replacing it. I sail the Baltic and I have periods outside of mobile coverage.
ie. From my Home Port of Ventspils to Farosund is 90nm of open sea ... so most of that is non-coverage....... say 14 of the 18hrs.
But before I leave and as I approach - I can download exactly the filtered info from online Navtex much better than the cluttered info style of the Navtex machine. I don't have to wait till a specified time .. I don't have to filter out other stations etc. So much simpler online.
BUT without the data coverage - then Navtex is the answer.
ie. From my Home Port of Ventspils to Farosund is 90nm of open sea ... so most of that is non-coverage....... say 14 of the 18hrs.
But before I leave and as I approach - I can download exactly the filtered info from online Navtex much better than the cluttered info style of the Navtex machine. I don't have to wait till a specified time .. I don't have to filter out other stations etc. So much simpler online.
BUT without the data coverage - then Navtex is the answer.
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
Antarctic Pilot is correct, Navtex is not an essential, but is useful for a whole load of information, however‘ separating the wheat from the chaff’ can be pain in the butt.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Have you looked at Online Navtex ? If you do not stray too far offshore - its far better !!
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
Slight problem, my boat is a ‘wi-fi’ desert, I don’t even have a smart phone.
cherod
N/A
but some may want to " stray "
Refueler
Well-Known Member
My Wife has latest Smartphone ..... but she still cannot use it apart from calling people ... I gave up trying to show her ...
Refueler
Well-Known Member
D
Deleted member 36384
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The new Navtex devices have built in pressure sensors and graphical trend displays. I sail in an area that mostly has good access to weather information. The Navtex just sits there quietly recording weather reports, that I can search through from time to time. It also acts as a repeater at the chart table with rolling road and XTE, handy has my plotter is in the cockpit, also shows course data. I could live without it for the sailing I do, but quite like the features and the historical weather reports for developing trends.
Sailing further afield, I think Navtex functionality may now be even less robust than it once was. A lower cost short wave receiver can pick up weather fax and their are Apps for phones / tablets that will decode the Weather Fax signal just through listening to the speaker output through the device microphone.
A thread from last year about the potential end of Navtex NAVTEX - is its time up - at last?
Sailing further afield, I think Navtex functionality may now be even less robust than it once was. A lower cost short wave receiver can pick up weather fax and their are Apps for phones / tablets that will decode the Weather Fax signal just through listening to the speaker output through the device microphone.
A thread from last year about the potential end of Navtex NAVTEX - is its time up - at last?
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Waste of money......in my opinion. Binned mine years ago and haven't used one on a delivery in many more.
If you are off into the wild blue yonder you can easily screen shot a few days forecast on your phone or tablet. After that, as we know, the forecast is pointless anyway.
Have used stuff like open cpn via iridium, very useful on time critical deliveries, but for a cruise, wouldn't bother.
If you are off into the wild blue yonder you can easily screen shot a few days forecast on your phone or tablet. After that, as we know, the forecast is pointless anyway.
Have used stuff like open cpn via iridium, very useful on time critical deliveries, but for a cruise, wouldn't bother.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I bought a NASA navtex engine which links to an app on my phone via Bluetooth.
I've not used it in anger yet, not being able to go far with lockdown etc. but it is a turn on and forget device which stores data which can be retrieved when you activate the app. Nothing fancy, just text weather reports and nav warnings.
I did suggest to the app designers that a useful addition would be the ability to copy the screen text so it could be pasted into a translator to help with foreign broadcast's.
I've not used it in anger yet, not being able to go far with lockdown etc. but it is a turn on and forget device which stores data which can be retrieved when you activate the app. Nothing fancy, just text weather reports and nav warnings.
I did suggest to the app designers that a useful addition would be the ability to copy the screen text so it could be pasted into a translator to help with foreign broadcast's.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
True, and I do, but on my last trip back from Portugal I knew that there was a gale due in about 3 days but it was forecast to track well to my north. Luckily I picked up R4 LW shipping forcast half way across Biscay which told me it was tracking further south and arriving sooner than predicted. The naxtex as a 2nd source of information might have been useful.
cherod
N/A
lots of useful info here ,, many who doubt its value seem to be relying on either internet ( which is fine if available ) or more expensive systems ( which is fine if somebody else is paying for it ) ,, as a cheap easy system it looks like it has its uses .. ty all .
cherod
N/A
some good points ,, and ty for the link
Gary Fox
N/A
There's no point in not having it; the NASA sets are dire, get a better quality used set and it will be far more user friendly.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Its not really a case of relying on .... its like everything - it has its place and also modern tech has caught up in various ways.
The prudent skipper will use ALL he can ... to obtain best info.
I put it in similar vein as ECDIS and Paper Charts ............
The prudent skipper will use ALL he can ... to obtain best info.
I put it in similar vein as ECDIS and Paper Charts ............
