what chartplotter??

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big_si

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Now the deposit is down, we need to start looking at things like GPS and VHF...

What does one look for in these bits of kit?

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I like the look of the Raymarine Raychart 530+...
 
[ QUOTE ]
Now the deposit is down, we need to start looking at things like GPS and VHF...

What does one look for in these bits of kit?

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I like the look of the Raymarine Raychart 530+...

[/ QUOTE ]
<span style="color:blue">
Garmin, Garmin and Garmin add up to quality, backup and reliability </span>
 
Furuno, Furuno and Furuno - /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif i have furuno kit and i have been very pleased with it, although the chartplotter redraw is a bit slow, but then so is my boat (and i am *really* picky). I had to use a raymarine radar on friday and it was pants compared to my furuno radar.

I like garmin as well....
 
Consider the purchase of a plotter very carefully - look at the screen size in particular. I don't suppose you have much room to mount on dash and if you get the smaller screens then I don't think they are worth the money. Be better getting a good GPS and learning how to read a chart and plot a course then add your own waypoints into the GPS as a route.

As to VHF, you won't go far wrong with the ICOM 421E. Good bit of kit, waterproof and very reliable with good back up.
 
i was toying with the idea of putting the plotter on the otherside to the helm, above the cuddy entrance, to give me more options as i dont think the helm console is a great surface to mount anything as its a bit curvy!
 
Best value by far is the Standard Horizon CP1000. 10.5 inches and daylight colour for around £900 inc delivery ordered from the states. Don't get ripped off by buying electronics from the UK.

Whilst at the show I visited the Standard Horizon stand and they got quite embarrased when I asked why it's £1400 here and $1500 from the states. Tried to give some bullshit about warranty.
 
Raymarine, Raymarine, Raymarine. !!

Had to take Furuno dual staion off mine. But that's a long story.

Each to there own - really need to see each one in action.

BUT, I'd go for the Raymarine every time.



Adrian
 
Byron, Whilst I fully agree about the quality of the Garmin hardware and their service of the hardware, they have a bad track history on plotters for changing the format for the chart cartridge and then immediately ceasing to support the old format. Whereas C-Map are still supporting all the old formats.

Personally I reckon the Navman 5600 is a good plotter and uses C-Map NT+ , Howwever if you have the space and the money, a larger display by raymarine and the Navionics charts are also a good system.
 
One point I did not think to check was the electrical consumption of larger colour screens. I've got two Raymarine's - an E80 and E120 fitted - and whilst happy with operation and features - was shocked to read how much power they draw in normal dalight viewing mode.
If you have limited battery capacity you may wish to check this on whatever model you select.
Cheers
JOHN
 
I love my Simrad kit. It is expensive though. Used to have Raymarine on the old boat which was fine apart from sunlight. I expect they've sorted that out now.
 
[ QUOTE ]
One point I did not think to check was the electrical consumption of larger screens ... If you have limited battery capacity you may wish to check this on whatever model you select.
Cheers
JOHN

[/ QUOTE ]

Shouldn't make any difference on a mobo underway should it?!
 
chapparal 215 tho...

um, i wd say suggest a garmin *handheld* plotter. Aside from it being a lovely garmin, this has the advantages of you being able to plan courses before arrival at the boat, security against theft, and being able to use it on other boats or the next boat. There are attachements for ciggie lighter to conserve batteries.
 
Got the Standard Horizon CP150.. or is it 155? something like that anyway!! complete with CMAP Superwide chart think it was £650 all in from JG electronics (highly recommend them!) then £100 for fitting, can't fault it in anyway!!

Oh and it doesn't have to be flush mounted so you only need a fairly small flat surface to get the mounting bracket on!!

Very easy to use and colour screen is easy to read in sunlight!
 
if it's the boat in the profile it's a cuddy outdrive at 21ft so it's going to be about what can be mounted, removed, viewed in sunlight etc

them it's down to where you are sourcing - if you are making a trip to the states between now and next season for example....

personally, unless I was going to the states, I wouldn't purchase one until next season unless I was sure I was taking delivery in time to really get around this autumn - and it's not until you have had a few runs that you will know what you really need.

however if your buying in the UK, shorly, then the unit to purchase is the Lowrance 3500C - 5" screen, 480x480 pixels, 256 colours and from these people around 380 inc postage then get an appropriate Navionics Gold or Platinum chart.
For Garmin it's Garmin 172C - 256 colour / 320x320 pixels v the 182C's 16 colour / 320x234 pixels - about the same prices but not the same specs and you will notice the difference on a smallish screen.
The Navman was top dog but with only 1/4 VGA - 320x234 pixels and a significantly higher price tag wouldn't be on my list at all. That's despite the 6.4" Navman screen.
Worth having a look at the relative models if you can as paper specs are of course just that. However at 230,400 pixels v 74,800 on a screen where detail gives clarity...........

Good luck and enjoy the boat - where's the intended cruising grounds?
 
[ QUOTE ]

<span style="color:blue">
Garmin, Garmin and Garmin add up to quality, backup and reliability </span>

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately Garmin also adds up to "obsolete and unsupported the year after you buy it "... ( G-chart , 'nuff said ? )
/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
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