Which Chart Plotter?

[Sharpy2015]

Hello, I'm a relatively new power boater. Bought Princess 266 in late August. recently completed my PB2 course.

The boat is quit old and has little in the way of mod cons! Was going to fit a chart plotter mainly for use in the Bristol Channel. Don't want to spend loads of money just need something suitable for short hops out of Cardiff Bay.

Any recommendations?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Montemar]

Try Belfield Software Chartplotter.
It uses raster charts (Admiralty) not vector but also shows tidal info. which may be important considering your location.
Price reasonable, stick it on a netbook, I have mine on a Samsung NC10. Also on the computer at home where it is good for passage planning.
Alternatively Navionics on a iPad or iPhone.
If you need a good display in bright sunlight however you will have to buy a proper boaty chartplotter

 

[wipe_out]

Our previous boat has no electronics.. The easy and cheap answer was a 3G iPad mini with Navionics.. Used it for trips between Brighton and Poole and was great.. Installed it on my phone as a backup.. It will need to be plugged into a 12v socket and you have to set is so the display stays on..

 

[ParkerS]

Considering how many people "upgrade" their boat electronics - we all like new toys..................It seems surprising how rare it is to see any second hand equipment advertised.......There is a plotter that might suit you in the For Sale section of this forum.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...32-colour-chart-plotter-and-Seperate-repeater

 

[gjgm]

A true chartplotter was just about that..charts. Most have now been sexed up into MFD's that plot charts, monitor your suntan,make bookings at your favourite restaurant.. and the price escalates accordingly.Also alot are directed at fishfinding-that si what you are paying for- but also have charting.Then there is the cost of the charts themselves..which make and how large an area-not all charts work in all plotters. You can sometimes get a preloaded device, but that doesn't always have the top of the range chart.
A cheap option is Navionics on a tablet £45?, but tablets are pretty hopeless in sunlight- Navionics are pretty good, and you only pay once and like most apps, you can then use it on any of your devices.
Otherwise Raymarine do a Dragonfly series and Simrad do a Go series if you care to have a look at those. If they are pared down, then there is probably limited connectivity only maybe only nmea 0183. That might be fine, but have a think if there is anything else that you might one day want to add. I am sure there are others, too.
Of course, screen size dictates cost..you do need to be able to read the damn thing, so don't go so small that you end up looking at a postage stamp!

 

[Jurgen]

2nd hand C80, pretty cheap and good plotter ☺