Which Chart Plotter ?

[hamishb]

I would like to fit a chart plotter to my Moody 38 but have a major dilemma which system to go for and which map medium is best. My requirements are to have it mounted on the wheel binnicle but easily removed each night and fitted to a second installation at the chart table. To get best use of it I would probably have to lead power and NMEA connections to both areas. Do I need to go for an external antenna if I am going to use it below or will the integral antenna suffice ? ( one less cable run to make ! ).
Have seen adverts for Garmin 2010, Navman 5500/5600, Raymarine, Magellan etc ........ which is best ? Don't want to spend a fortune but I am budgeting around £600 or so as I am sure that the colour option is worth the extra money.
I am sure there are many users out there that have already been through this stage and I am interested in your advice.
Also feedback on any good deals that are around ? Is it worth waiting for London Boat Show ?
Many thanks,
Hamish

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[davidwf]

I have a combined Radar / Chartplotter from Raymarine. Quite simply I am sriously disapointed at its buggy software escpecially around its ability to integrate with other instruments which in my case are all Raymarine as well. I have been in constant dialogue with Raymarine over the past 6 weeks and the answer seems to be that there are no plans to correct the software.

Examples of problems are, Does not display log/ trip data from Tridata correctly, Does not output waypoint name on Seatalk bus to autopilot it always says wp001 ( can see name on NMEA though), I cannot stop it outputting a goto ie after stopping navigating to a waypoint it continues outputting a goto to the autopilot etc etc etc

Quite simply I am seriously disapointed with this system and although their support has been sympathetic and timely it isn't getting the problems fixed. I am now writing a full test report and will send it to the MD of Raymarine.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

well a 2010C isn't even close to your budget (and that's before charts) but is a great piece of kit. Even the BW is well over.
MES <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mesltd.co.uk>http://www.mesltd.co.uk</A> do the Standard Horizon 170C which would appear to fit the bill and is currently on offer close to your aspirations but will be plus charts.
I would suggest you have a repeater or other unit inside and take the position feed from the unit back to your nav table or the other way round depending on the functionality you want at the helm.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[bob_tyler]

I use a Navman Tracker 5500i, the one with the built-in aerial. No wiring necessary externally.

It uses C-charts, very good and clear even in sunlight and extremely accurate. The boat is now ashore within about 5 mtrs of the water's edge and that is precisely the position shown on the chart! I have even been able to approach and pick up my mooring without looking at it, only looking at the moving chart (This was as an experiment, the position being entered as a waypoint when moored, and with a crew member on lookout up forward just in case and to pick up!).

So far it has only been mounted on the Chart Table below. It is positioned directly under solar panels mounted outside on the cabin top but still picks up all the necessary signals from satellites.

I have ordered an additional power/signal lead and another mounting bracket so that, next season, I can mount it outside when at the helm having used it below in comfort for course plotting etc.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Talbot]

I also have a Navman 5500, but with an external aerial. I have installed the plotter in my wheelhouse so it can be used from the helm. This was seriously the best value item of kit that I have bought since going diesel!!!! Having really studied the options, I first off chose the chart type, (C Map NT+) and then looked at the available plotters. Dont buy black and white, and dont buy a combined plotter/radar. the 7" display is the minimum, but your budget wont stretch to the next size up (Navman 5600). Dont forget that you will also have to buy the charts as well. I bought a superwide of English Channel and am very pleased with this.

The other option depending on cash and boat type is to buy a marine PC and decent chart software (winchart gets my vote). The CD versions are cheaper than plug-ins for the NAVMAN, on the other hand, initial costs are much higher, and it will need a lot more power to run.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

have a look at geonav, you describe exactly how I use mine. Totally waterproof, floats and has internal aerial.

Uses navionics charts, which I have so far found ok.

Helm

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/TC_IrishCruise_2003_00.html>Irish Cruise</A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Jools_of_Top_Cat on 26/10/2003 16:55 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[pvb]

Navman 5600 is excellent...

I bought a Navman 5600 earlier this year, and it's excellent. I paid £790. I think it's worth paying extra for the 5600, to get the 6.4" screen which in real-world terms is much bigger than the 5” of the 5500 model. The screen quality is very good, even in fairly bright sunlight. You’re right to budget for a colour plotter; I wouldn’t recommend a mono plotter, colour transforms the clarity of the display and makes interpretation much easier. On the basis of various reviews, I’d already decided I wanted to use C-Map NT charts, and I’ve been very impressed by their detail, accuracy and features.

I looked at available C-Map plotters, and compared specifications. One point worth mentioning is that the Navman has a portrait-format screen, which allows you to display other data above the chart without making the chart too small. Some other plotters I looked at had landscape-format screens, and by the time you’ve got data displayed on the top, the chart display becomes a bit long and thin (especially if you’re using a “course up” display). The Standard Horizon 170C is like this - although it’s £100 cheaper, it’s also worth noting that it’s only got a 5.7” screen, only has 1000 waypoints (vs 3000 for Navman 5600), only has 20 routes of 30 points (vs 25 of 50), is much less user-friendly, and subjectively has less attractive graphics than the Navman.

The Navman’s controls are incredibly intuitive to use, and it’s been designed with a knobbly rubber back on the display so that it’s easy to grip the unit and operate the buttons. In fact, it’s so intuitive that you wouldn’t need to refer to the manual much after the first few uses. The "compass" facility makes it very easy to keep on course whilst still being able to view the chart. When you switch the unit on, it's extremely quick to acquire a fix. Mine's mounted in the cockpit, under the sprayhood, so it's fairly well protected and I can easily see it from across the cockpit. Setting up or modifying waypoints/routes is incredibly quick and simple - so quick that there’s really no need for you to have a second station at the chart table..

You can download the Navman owner manual by <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.navman.com/assets/marine/MN000192C_TRACKER5600_Eng.pdf>clicking here</A> - might be worth having a look because it helps describe the numerous features.

I have only 2 minor complaints about my Navman. First, if you turn the backlighting down for night sailing, you really need to remember to turn it up again before switching the unit off, otherwise if you turn it on next day in bright daylight you can't see the screen prompts to navigate the menu to turn the backlight back up. Second, the display doesn't sit vertically on the swivel mount, because the mount is badly tooled. Otherwise, a great bit of kit, and well worth a careful look.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ThomasHome]

We bought a Garmin 176c and cannot find fault with the unit or the Blue Chart cartography - both are excellent and the screen is easy to see in any light, its had a faily tough season of drops and knocks and still looks like new. We have it attached to the Auto Pilot and power by the wheel, it does not get a signal below though I think you can get an external antenna for them.
You can also put road maps on it and stick it in the car, but that was another £100 and I never get lost in the car - honest!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kazbaz2]

my choice price and ease is a navman 5500i

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tjc]

Go for the Navman 5600, excellent bit of kit, bigger screen than the 5500 and can be viewed even in bright sunlight.

Agree totally with pvb in that at night when the contrast is turned down you need a good memory to remember to turn it up again. Spent half an hour with a "black screen" trying to remember how many key presses/combination to turn it up again!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[waterboy]

I gota navman 5500 with the built-in antena and mounted on the binacle. Fantastic bit of kit and by far the most important on the boat bar the fridge. Log impeller fouls up but who gives a toss with the navman's readings to fall back on? I inherited a B&G mono plotter which is mounted by the chart table with Navionics software. I can compare C-Map almost directly to Navionics. C-Map is better at present.

With radar mounted, when needed, under the spray hood, I hardly use the chart table other than for an hourly note of position when on passage. This seems a dreadful waste of space in the boat. Any suggestions for alternative use of a near edundant chart table.

<hr width=100% size=1>