Raymarine C80 plotter

[olavs]

Friends
I'm thinking of buying Raymarines C80 plotter(8,5") to connect to an existing GPS and possibly later to a radar radome(if I can afford one).
I'm interested in hearing from people wth some experience with this plotter as it is quite a lot of money to spend.
I'm especially interested in views of the display format as it is wider than it is tall. I would believe that the most useful information on the chart or radar view is that in front of the boat so it looks a bit strange to arrange a screen like this. Also views on the charts(Navionics Gold) are welcomed.
Thanks.


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[Talbot]

Have no information about the plotter itself. As regards the chart format. IMHO the Navionics is probably the best format around at the moment, but it is not anywhere near as well supported as C-Map. I chose C-Map for 2 reasons:

I believed that it was the only one that seemed to manage obsolescence, as opposed to just abandoning older formats and forcing people to buy new kit (e.g. older garmin formats)
I looked into the worldwide availability and update system, and considered that C-Map was the best.

You really only need the large displays when you are passage planning, and a laptop is much better for that . So unless like TCM you like to watch DVDs as you plough through the waves, I would consider a format similar to the Navman 5600.

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[johna]

Do not have any experience of this model but I am pleased with the Raymarine plotter I have. I think it is a pity they have changed the mapping from C-Map as this makes equipment upgrades a more difficult choice, not that I expect to upgrade in the near future.

Regarding shape most people navigate with North up on the chart so the horizontal rectangular shape is not necessarily a problem but for radar most use it head up and then it might be a problem unless the vessel position can be adjusted relative to screen shape.

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[malcp]

I have been using a Raymarine C70 now for quite a few months and can thoroughly recommend it. I find it very easy and intuitive to use with a good clear display. The Navionics Gold charts are fine (the point about updatability excepted) and clear. The ability to integrate Radar is also very useful, something I have not got around to installing properly yet, but played with it on the bench at home. You can either display radar on a different page, a split screen or overlayed on the chart, in either North up, Head up or Course up modes.

The point about Portait versus Landscape (C-Series) display formats. You can offset the vessel position on the screen to get a better view of what's in front of the boat. Same applies to the Radar (if memory serves).

Suggest you find a vendor who can demonstrate it to you so you can judge better for yourself.

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[Andy_H]

We've just fitted a C80 (with radome) and are very pleased. We have it connected to our existing Garmin 128 which works fine, although I wish we'd moved the 128 up to the cockpit as a repeater.
We're still learning how to use it all, but it is very flexible, and also will repeat wind instument, autopilot etc if you have them fitted.
Not noticed any particular problem with the landscape format; in reality when it really matters you are zoomed in quite close, so only have a relativly small area of chart on the screen at any one time anyway. With the chart north up (which is how I read it best) if you are sailing east or west you have the widest part of the chart in front of you anyway! If you fit radar you will probably utilise a split screen at some point in which case each part is in the more traditional portrait format.
So far we're very pleased; just need to learn what it can do and how to use it to it's best.

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[jonjo]

> I would believe that the most useful information on the chart
> or radar view is that in front

A wide screen might be better.

I have not used a radar but in my experience the big stuff that sneaks up at speed from about 70% off the bow is of most concern. When you consider the relative speed of a yacht crossing a shipping lane this makes mathematical sense.

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[olavs]

Thanks to all who gave valuable feedback. It seems as if C80 would be a good choice and I think I'll go for it.

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[qsiv]

I've got one coming for the new boat - so I'm looking forward to seeing it. It will be the first time with an LCD radar - always had CRT before, so that will be an interesting comparison, although the radar performance is bound to be compromised as the scanner will be small, and only on a demountable pole aft rather than on the mast.

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