Plotter at wheel to Laptop at Nav Station

[StevenJMorgan]

All - apologies before I start as I know this subject has been done to death but a quick search has not given me the answer I need.

I have recently graduated into the 21st Century with a Navman plotter at the wheel running off C Map. The Navman has an integral antena and could be set up to move from the wheel to the Navstation as needed but the fiddly plugs make this a pain.

Ideally I would like a laptop running as a plotter at the nav station as well as the Navman plotter at the helm. SO, I know I have to get some form of chart software such as digiboat and a GPS link to the PC - BUT my question is can I run the C-map chart from a PC as well as the Plotter. The CMap was an expensive bit of kit, and I would like to think that somehow I can use it on my plotter and Laptop at the same time without forking out more hard earned cash.

Is this possible or am I being a bit to hopeful that I won't have to fork out again???

Cheers /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[fireball]

I don't think you can do it at the same time ...

You can output NMEA data from the Navman to the Laptop Chart plotter software - this gives Position, SOG, COG ...

You can (most likely) use the Navman without a C-map chart - so can use the C-map card in the laptop with appropriate software ... but unless you can clone the card you won't be able to use it in both laptop and plotter at the same time ....

 

[steve_cronin]

Can I just ask....

...Why do you want to do this?

Is it wise to leave a laptop to it's own devices down on the chart table with it's hard drive whirring away consuming large amounts of power every time your boat moves. Surely a better set-up would be an independent GPS at the chart table from which regular plots on a paper chart can be made? This way you get a back-up system and aren't relying soley on electronics to keep a record of where you are and where you've been.

Steve Cronin

 

[Richard10002]

I've been investigating this since March, and have asked all the questions, and had all the answers.

You cant use the C-Map chart info in two units, (possibly with a Seiwa, or Raymarine E-series). C Map told me to buy another chart!

I ended up setting up the laptop with C-Map, and buying a Lowrance 3500C including charts for the wheel.

The yard made me a bracket for fitting the plotter to the arch at the wheel, so it can swivel through 180 degrees.

Cheers

Richard