Plotters/laptops/charts/AIS

Sans Bateau

Sans Bateau

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Most of my navigation is done on a chart using a Yeoman plotter. At the wheel I have a Lowrance 5200C for pilotage. Also at the chart table I have a NASA AIS receiver screen (what they call radar). I also have proper radar.

I would like to improve my AIS setup. Unfortunately the Lowrance does not accept AIS input, So, do I ditch the Lowrance and replace it, which might make updating the radar sense. Or buy some charting software to run on a laptop that will then support AIS. I have a spare laptop and a USB GPS, something like Maptech for instance?

Solution one would be neat with everything displayed in one place, but would be costly, but then there are some good deals around at the moment with Raymarine C70 + raydome bundles. Option two would be fragmented but can be done for much less outlay. (I kinda like that idea)

If I were to opt for number 2, what is the best PC based charting software to use?
 
Ah ... I might have a few charts to scan then! ;)

You're gonna need an AIS engine as the NASA AIS display doesn't output its data other than visually.

I looked at the Imray software - iirc ~ £50 for all the UK and will overlay AIS data - on a laptop of course!

TBH though I like AIS data on deck where I can see it and monitor changes without having to move. There are quite a number of the little plotters will display AIS data. As you know, I have the Standard Horizon CP180i - which is OK, but the AIS data could be better - it doesn't give angle to CPA, vessels on the limits of the guard zone intermitantly trigger the alarm (ie in and out of the guard zone) which can be irritating to the point of turning off the alarm. Basically the alarm software could be much better and more configerable. And I'm still considering doing a Laptop rendition to duplicate the CP180i down below (because I like playing!)
 
See, that raises another issue I forgot to mention, the limitation of a small screen at the helm, and no I dont want a 12" display in front of me!!!! Another point scored by the laptop.
 
We bought AIS for this summer's cruise and really appreciate it. It's value is that it's displayed on the plotter in the cockpit. On clear days with fine weather it's largely useless since I can see the ships and make my own decisions. At night, poor visibility or in bad weather I want the information there in front of me, not at the chart table. I had a Lowrance and so also had to change plotter but the Lowrance will still fetch a good price, in my case 60% of the cost of the new SH plotter, plus I bought a NASA AIS engine.
 
I had a few minor issues with the NASA engine that they fixed FOC, but ended up getting a Comar dual channel one for this boat (does both channels at the same time rather than switching between)
 
Well - as you're gonna be getting an engine there is no reason why you can't put it on a laptop first, then see how you get on with it before going for new plotters ...

If I was going to be replacing the radar plotter then I'd be looking at the new broadband radar .... so I'll wait a couple of years for the prices to drop!
 
I have a laptop interfaced to a bog standard Garmin 152, though a GPS mouse would do just as well, and a Comar AIS. If I were sailing in UK waters, I'd get the Imray digital charts. At the moment, I use two programs. One is a free German one which comes with the charts but doesn't do AIS. Very user friendly. The other is SeaPro, which does have AIS and will accept Navionics cartirdges. SeaPro is, however, as friendy as a cornered rat.
 
OpenCPN

I haven't tried OpenCPN. However one of its biggest limitations seems to be the charts it supports. It's limited to CM93 vector and BSB raster. That is probably fine for North America with their freely available NOAA charts, but might be a bit limiting around the UK.
 
Laptop and AIS

I have interfaced a NASA AIS engine to laptop with a position feed from a Garmin hand held GPS. Combined with £55s worth of Admiralty electronic charts you have a cheap and effective package. Power consumption with a laptop is always the downfall of the laptop.

Yoda
 
I've just ordered up Belfield Chart Plotter for a laptop and this was in a query I made to Keith Belfield:- 'We will post out today. You have no fears, our software is a comprehensive package. Charts include all the Admiralty charts for the UK and Ireland, all plotting, GPS and routing functions plus AIS (requires an AIS receiver on your boat)'



'
 
Three points to consider:

Its a bit pointless having the AIS display down below on a laptop - difficult to monitor. You really need it up in the cockpit.

AIS uses virtually no power in addition to whats already used on the chartplotter. PC's swallow it - just don't know how you will keep powered. to have graphics and a PC running in parallel you will need to be motor sailing all the time.

Make sure your AIS receiver and display software can also show AIS enabled buoys - most of them don't at present.
 
Power for a laptop on a 50ft ex-mfv with a large dry wheelhouse isn't a problem. Package arrived and installed. Looks good value for £70. As for Boz, no interest to declare... we've used Tide Plotter for several years now. I like the fact that it uses scanned Admiralty charts which I know and love...
 
Chartplotters/AIS etc,

OffScotland said:
I've just ordered up Belfield Chart Plotter for a laptop and this was in a query I made to Keith Belfield:- 'We will post out today. You have no fears, our software is a comprehensive package. Charts include all the Admiralty charts for the UK and Ireland, all plotting, GPS and routing functions plus AIS (requires an AIS receiver on your boat)'

Hi. Forumites
I have just looked up the Belfield Plotter and I am quietly impressed. I have been contemplating the Imray digi maps. However, for the price it appears to be what I am looking for.
Has anyone else looked at it?
It seems to be able to do a lot more than Imray or Admiralty.
Any thoughts?
Fair winds,
Lancelot

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Click to expand...

Fair winds,
Lancelot
 
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