Which electronic chart?

East Cardinal

East Cardinal

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Chart required for use in 6m RIB. UK waters only.
Having always used paper charts for navigation, I am thinking of an upgrade to electronic format.
I would like something that is,

1. FIxed to the boat rather than handheld
2. Capable of updates with chart correction NtM etc
3. Plan routes easily.
4. Navigation only, no requirement for auto helm etc
5. Reasonable cost.......£hundreds not £thousands!

I know nothing of marine electronic charts or equipment, but have used similar systems in aircraft.
I am thinking of Sky Demon which is used widely by the General Aviation community.
Some suggestions of possible chart/plotter would be appreciated.
 
Thank you.
Exactly what I was looking for. Just checked the app store/play store, UK and Holland for £55.
Cheaper than paper!
 
If you want to have something more marinised you could buy a secondhand Garmin Colorado or such like or as fixed unit Garmin 625 size but I have Navionics on iPad as well and it's quite simple to use. Not certain I would pay out to have on phone though but if buying a unit you might like to buy a fixed Garmin unit which can pair to the pad if required.
 
There are quite a few plotters with built in gps and WiFi.

If you’re happy with an iPad in a waterproof case, go for that.

If you want a dedicated unit, Simrad Go7 would be a good option. Waterproof, can be flush mounted or bracket so it can be removed etc... Navico do good deals through the year....like free charts. Would be a much more expensive option
 
East Cardinal said:
Chart required for use in 6m RIB. UK waters only.
Having always used paper charts for navigation, I am thinking of an upgrade to electronic format.
I would like something that is,

1. FIxed to the boat rather than handheld
2. Capable of updates with chart correction NtM etc
3. Plan routes easily.
4. Navigation only, no requirement for auto helm etc
5. Reasonable cost.......£hundreds not £thousands!

I know nothing of marine electronic charts or equipment, but have used similar systems in aircraft.
I am thinking of Sky Demon which is used widely by the General Aviation community.
Some suggestions of possible chart/plotter would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Any of the Garmin entry level fixed plotters from 4” to 7” come preloaded with UK coastal charts, are waterproof and sunlight viewable unlike tablets and smartphones. WIFI and/or SD card for uploading routes planned at home on tablet, PC or Mac.
 
You say its for use in a 6.0m RIB. To my mind that rules out I-Pads and I-Phones completely. Lots of bangety-crashy in a 6m RIB, plus potentially loads of spray

IMHO, anything hand held wont do. You will need a fixed unit - there are some suggestions above.
 
I am a great fan of the iPad and navionics but it is. It waterproof and can’t really be read in the sun.

I would not use it as the sole source of navigation unless inshore and in familier waters.

If you look at cactus nav there is a wide selection of small cheap plotters.
 
Thanks for the replies. Have looked at all the suggestions with their advantages and disadvantages.
The navionics package on a tablet/phone would do what I need. Securing and waterproofing the
device in a RIB may be the difficulty. For £50 or so and an old phone it’s probably worth a try.
Maybe a cheapish plotter and a backup phone app would be a good solution.
Time to go and look at some possibilities.
 
I like the iPad as a backup to a paper chart, however for use in a 6m rib it will be unusable for most of the time and all of the time the screen is ‘wet’. Waterproof cases are readily available for iPads and remember you need the more expensive iPad with WIFI & Cellular models for a functioning GPS signal at sea. However even when in a waterproof case you will find it unusable when the screen is wet/damp.
 
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