What chartplotter?

[ex-Gladys]

I have watched the debate with considerable interest but little real understanding of just how these matters interface- I was hoping that with a MiFi router on board I could simply update the navionics (+?) card in the plotter and that was that- seemingly not possible.

What I don't want to have to do, although may be obliged to do so, is to remove the card take it home, mislay it, lose it etc and then be well and truly stuck- this from a man who now needs 'looking for my glasses' glasses, and makes countless trips up and down stairs having forgotten why I went in the first place; not a happy situation at all, and that's not the half of it either

I carry my card in my glasses case...

 

[pvb]

I have watched the debate with considerable interest but little real understanding of just how these matters interface- I was hoping that with a MiFi router on board I could simply update the navionics (+?) card in the plotter and that was that- seemingly not possible.

What I don't want to have to do, although may be obliged to do so, is to remove the card take it home, mislay it, lose it etc and then be well and truly stuck- this from a man who now needs 'looking for my glasses' glasses, and makes countless trips up and down stairs having forgotten why I went in the first place; not a happy situation at all, and that's not the half of it either

I can empathise with your stair climbing, I'm the same. But there really isn't a need for daily chart updates by wifi, or monthly updates, or yearly updates. Most people with chartplotters only update the cartography every few years, as nothing much changes out there. Ignore the updating process, just choose a plotter which takes Navionics cards and which is suitable for your boat/needs/budget.

 

[Gin]

I can empathise with your stair climbing, I'm the same. But there really isn't a need for daily chart updates by wifi, or monthly updates, or yearly updates. Most people with chartplotters only update the cartography every few years, as nothing much changes out there. Ignore the updating process, just choose a plotter which takes Navionics cards and which is suitable for your boat/needs/budget.

I agree that daily updates are unnecessary but remembering how my paper charts used to look with all the NM's recorded in the margins and the resulting numerous amendments on the charts themselves, I would feel uncomfortable not having them updated on at least a monthly basis (I always recorded the NM's so that I knew I had not missed any, but only actually amended the charts on matters affecting shallow draft leisure vessels); the Thames Estuary is a very dynamic environment and with shifting sands, repositioned nav. buoys and wind farm activities, sunken leisure craft and other matters etc.- one can't be too careful, as I'm sure you know and will agree.

If the Garmin unit sells, then I can add that to the upgrade fund for a suitable plotter

 

[Boz]

Tillergirl's regular 'Notices to Mariners' thread provides a sensible filter of relevancy for my needs. I stand to be corrected, but I reckon very few weekend boaters religiously update their paper charts.......

 

[pvb]

I stand to be corrected, but I reckon very few weekend boaters religiously update their paper charts.......

Reckon you're right.