Plotter map technology

[lumphammer]

Going to the boat show with some money to spend on a plotter, but am a bit confused about all the various types of chart cartridges.

Any pointers on advantages/disadvantages of various types gratefully received.

 

[oceanfroggie]

There are three main formats of electronic charts (ie cartography):

1. Garmin BlueChart or BlueChart G2
2. Navionics Gold or Platinum
3. C-MAP NT-Max

These are all excellent products.

I suggest you first choose the chart format you like (ie by viewing your cruising area on a demo) and then choose a plotter to match. Or the price of a plotter may dictate the charts you go for. The boat show is a great opportunity for you to see all three formats on various plotters. Charts are not interchangeable, if a plotter was designed for Navionics then that is the only format it may take.

Plotters : Chart Format
---------------------------
Raymarine = Navionics
Garmin = Garmin
Others = C-MAP or Navionics

Most UK boat builders fit Raymarine so that means Navionics Gold for C series or Platinum for E series. Garmin are unique in that they are the only vendor that build both the hardware and software (ie charts). For my own cruising area off the SW coast of Ireland I preferred the BlueChart presentation and because there are unofficial Garmin format charts for the massive Irish inland waterway network. Most UK boat builders fit Raymarine so that means Navionics charts on new boats. Raymarine used to be C-MAP, but they defected to Navionics some years ago when they introduced their range of C and E series plotters.

The latest 3rd Generation charts offered by Garmin (G2), Navionics (Platinum) and C-MAP (Max), offer 3D views, aerial photo's, etc, which may be a little over the top for many navigators especially if this pushes the costs up, but no doubt will quickly become the volumn standard. (eg if you like 'Navionics Gold' then you only need a C-Series plotter, but if you want 'Navionics Platinum' you need the more expensive E-Series which is really designed as a multi-station network (ie overkill for many sail boats)

At the boat show you should manage to get a good deal on a plotter and chart bundle. The charts cost can be quite high.

PS: Forget Laptop/PC charts and PC software. PCs, Sailboats, Salt water and F6 do not mix. Only use for home passage planning for waterproof plotters.

 

[Aja]

Bliddy H3ll!

That must be the most concise explanation I've seen of Plotters/software anywhere.

Reading the expalnations for chartplotters recently in both PBO and YM (funny how they seem to do things in tandem these days...) took pages of wittering on and photographs from catalogues.

What's your next subject. How about anchor winches/chain sizes... or rigging screw threads.

Donald

 

[lumphammer]

Thanks for that I will try and find a helpful rep on the various stands

 

[Guest]

???? Just a few missed out ....

One of the best deals available at moment is the Lowrance Deal with Chart card ..... It's Nautipath based on Transas ...

Many on here and elsewhere have availed themselves of the deal via online - about £450 for a high res colour waterproof display and chart card covering from Greenland to West Mediterranean. At Boatshows - there may even be bigger savings ....

IMHO the only reason to go Raymarine etc. is you have RM gear already or want to integrate a whole boat system ... also remember Apelco was lower priced versions ...

I agree with OceanFroggies underlying post - but you need to know that there are other possibilities.

You have to weigh up where, why you use it ... For me - I went with the Lowrance 3500C wnd its Nautipath card ... thinking that I would buy Navionics for greater detail if necessary ... That has proven not necessary. I am happy with the "bundled-card" covering far wider and ranging area than any other offering.
The only card I will buy extra is the Europe East to transit to baltic next year.

IMHO - Look hard .... count up the cost of extra's - Do NOT discount PC based and also connecting PC to the plotter for easier handling of Waypoint creation / planning etc. etc.
eg : Lowrance has free download emulator .... with Lowrance Card Reader - allows you to use the same card to run on PC for planning ... creating routes etc. etc. for transfer to plotter ... for dreaming at home !!