Perfect backup GPS?

[qsiv]

I do like the look of the new <A target="_blank" HREF=http://212.9.22.183/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=Boats&id=RayMarinePlot>A series Raymarine plotter</A>, as a backup GPS and plotter all in one. Runs of batteries, NiMh and 12V, and is submersible - would make a great cockpit nav device too.

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[Robin]

We have a Navman 5500i colour C-Map plotter with integrated WAAS GPS as the back-up one mounted in the cockpit. It doesn't run off dry batteries though, but is just plugged into a choice of 2 cockpit sockets, each on different battery banks. It also can have the whole screen as repeated Navdata configired by the user, big clear figures, if the instruments are linked it will repeat that data also, but ours are separate. If you haven't seen one look at www.navman.com They are made in New Zealand but distributed by Plastimo in Europe. We have a spare bracket for ours so can chose 2 different cockpit positions, like the Raymarine it is submersible waterproof (to 1m x 30mins). Excellent piece of kit, user friendly software too.

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[qsiv]

This looks to be altogether smaller - mcuh closer to the form factor of an iPaq rather than a full blown instrument. More grab bag sized.

I dont think the instrument side would be of benefit to me - if the instruments are working, so are the big screens in the cockpit.

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[Robin]

I dont have anything connected to ours either, the instruments are linked to the main GPS/plotter/Pilot but not the Navman which is standalone. I guess the Raymarine one uses Navionics charts though, whereas the Navman is C-Map the same as our main (Raymarine 10") plotter so we can switch chart cartriges and transfer WPs and routes between the two easily and quickly. How does the price compare, we paid £630 from MES for ours in July with a 'free' local size cartridge, I think they are now £595 without the 'free' cartridge.



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[Peppermint]

Re: Looks good

Is anyone selling them yet?

I'm in the market for a primary GPS or Plotter but as I only ever use GPS for SOG COG and Lat & Long I'm not really up to speed on plotters.

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[qsiv]

Re: Looks good

I doubt it - probably be at LBS, though.

Here are the details I have seen ...

The RC400 Portable Colour GPS Chartplotter features a 3.5 inch (88.9 mm) daylight viewable colour LCD screen. It comes with a 12 channel DGPS (WAAS enabled) receiver built in and has a colour chart-like display using Navionics Gold Chart cartography, complete with a built in coastline map. The RC400 sits neatly in an adjustable tilt cradle, enabling easy installation, and there is also a protective soft pouch for portable use. It is water resistant to IPX7 submersible standard.

The RC400 is designed to operate using either NiMH (nickel metal hydride) or alkaline AA size batteries, or can work from the boat's power supply using its12V DC power/mounting bracket, also providing the NMEA output connections for integration into other electronics on board.

Charts can be stored on Compact Flash memory cards providing unlimited waypoint, route and track storage. The unit can be hooked up to Raymarine SmartRoute software to enable the easy building of routes and waypoints from previous tracks, while Autozoom and Screen Amplifier functions intelligently maintain the vessel symbol, waypoint destination and appropriate chart range in clear view while the vessel is underway.

The RC400 has an advanced transflective TFT colour display, with four levels of adjustable display lighting, outshines other hand held GPS chartplotters on the market.


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