Which plotter?

[MattK1969]

Just about to update our raymarine E80 with linked wind, log, depth, auto pilot. It also has radar, but it's glitchy, so think I will remove it. What plotter do people recommend? My wife loves the navionics app, so maybe garmin? Thinking about a 9/10“ screen. Will be mounted outside.

 

[fredrussell]

I have recently fitted a Garmin Echomap plotter. Very happy with it. Nice combination of buttons and touchscreen. The current YBW thread(s) on Raymarine plotter glitches would not inspire my confidence in their products.

 

[KompetentKrew]

How are wind, log and depth connected? NMEA 183 or 2000?

If the autopilot is also Raymarine then I believe only Raymarine chart plotters will talk to it, although you will surely have a separate control head for it, anyway.

There were a couple of threads here last year about glitchy B&G plotters, but I love mine, so I wouldn't give too much credence to one or two isolated complaints.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Just about to update our raymarine E80 with linked wind, log, depth, auto pilot. It also has radar, but it's glitchy, so think I will remove it. What plotter do people recommend? My wife loves the navionics app, so maybe garmin? Thinking about a 9/10“ screen. Will be mounted outside.

Is that E80 classic with ST60s or what ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

How are wind, log and depth connected? NMEA 183 or 2000?

If the autopilot is also Raymarine then I believe only Raymarine chart plotters will talk to it, although you will surely have a separate control head for it, anyway.

There were a couple of threads here last year about glitchy B&G plotters, but I love mine, so I wouldn't give too much credence to one or two isolated complaints.

Kind of right about only Raymarine plotters talking to Raymarine auto pilots. But (and this applies equally to most brands:

1) If you buy a current model plotter and autopilot the plotter can control the AP and will also steer to a waypoint or wind, directly controlled from the plotter. You can select a waypoint or route on the plotter and engage the AP from the plotter screen.

2) If the plotter and autopilot are a model or so apart (varies with makes/models) the plotter cannot control the AP, but the AP will steer to a waypoint or wind. In this case, you have to select a waypoint or route on the plotter and then engage the AP from its own control screen.

3) If the plotter and AP are different makes, then point 2 above applies.

 

[ChromeDome]

You won't get a Garmin device with Navionics.

Despite Garmin ownership, Navionics are not for their devices. In the same manner Garmin charts can't be run on non Garmin gear.

C-Map is owned by Brunswick so outside Garmin control.

 

[Refueler]

You won't get a Garmin device with Navionics.

Despite Garmin ownership, Navionics are not for their devices. In the same manner Garmin charts can't be run on non Garmin gear.

C-Map is owned by Brunswick so outside Garmin control.

Brunswick ? Aren't they a Consultancy / Trust Group ??

C-Map sold by Jeppesen (Boeing) in 2016 to Altor - who also owned the Navico family of brands. In 2018 Navico and C-Map were merged but later at end of 2020 - C-Map was acquired by Lloyds Register and brought under i4 Insight Group.

Cannot find Brunswick listed in that - but suspect that their usual MO is to stay 'quiet' and provide consultancy ....

If there's any other / extra info on this - I for one am very interested.

 

[MattK1969]

Is that E80 classic with ST60s or what ?

Yes, exactly.

 

[MattK1969]

Kind of right about only Raymarine plotters talking to Raymarine auto pilots. But (and this applies equally to most brands:

1) If you buy a current model plotter and autopilot the plotter can control the AP and will also steer to a waypoint or wind, directly controlled from the plotter. You can select a waypoint or route on the plotter and engage the AP from the plotter screen.

2) If the plotter and autopilot are a model or so apart (varies with makes/models) the plotter cannot control the AP, but the AP will steer to a waypoint or wind. In the case, you have to select a waypoint or route on the plotter and then engage the AP from its own control screen.

3) If the plotter and AP are different makes, then point 2 above applies.

OK, thanks. I only use the AP to follow my current course anyway, so could easily manage if they were not connected.

 

[dunedin]

Brunswick ? Aren't they a Consultancy / Trust Group ??

C-Map sold by Jeppesen (Boeing) in 2016 to Altor - who also owned the Navico family of brands. In 2018 Navico and C-Map were merged but later at end of 2020 - C-Map was acquired by Lloyds Register and brought under i4 Insight Group.

Cannot find Brunswick listed in that - but suspect that their usual MO is to stay 'quiet' and provide consultancy ....

If there's any other / extra info on this - I for one am very interested.

Brunswick own a huge number of marine brands, from engines such as Mercury, boats such as Bayliner and equipment such as B&G, Simrad, Lawrence, C-Map etc. Our Brands

 

[LiftyK]

I’m not a Navionics user myself but recall reading about “Navionics+” on Garmin plotters.
Charts for Garmin Chartplotters Only

hope I’ve understood this correctly

 

[PaulRainbow]

Yes, exactly.

Your radar will not work with anything modern.

Your existing ST60s and the AP (if connected on Seatalk) will all interface with a new plotter by fitting a Seatalk to STNG converter.

No modern plotter can control the AP, but the AP will steer to a waypoint or wind. In this case, you have to select a waypoint or route on the plotter and then engage the AP from its own control screen.

All of the above applies whatever brand you choose, no need to stick to Raymarine. My personal choice would be Garmin.

 

[ChromeDome]

I’m not a Navionics user myself but recall reading about “Navionics+” on Garmin plotters.
Charts for Garmin Chartplotters Only

hope I’ve understood this correctly

Thanks for sharing, indeed seems to be a new tune from Garmin as per early 2022. Some sort of merging was expected and presumably will develop further.

Navionics-branded charts are not compatible with Garmin chart plotters. Garmin Navionics+™ and Garmin Navionics Vision+™ cartography products contain Navionics content.

Navionics users previously had Navionics, Navionics Plus and Navionics Platinum to choose from (still on Navionics homepage).

When looking for differences between
-Navionics changes after inclusion of Garmin in the product name
-the previous Navionics and Garmin named products
-compatibility with one or more of the above

it becomes somewhat confusing.

Add to this differences in features (Plus/Platinum/Bluechart g3 / LakeVü g3 etc.), and regions as not all are available everywhere.

Then realize that charts come with a subscription that you can cancel after first year, only to see a bunch of features becoming unavailable.

Personally will keep watching from a distance as I don't like to fork out based on unclear and ever changing conditions (changed coverage, increased subscription, discontinued support or products).

The good is that one fine day your new piece of hardware may be compatible with several charts, for you to decide & select annually.
Would even set basis for competitive offers from suppliers

 

[jwfrary]

The latest furuno time zero 3 gear is worth a look, very fast on the plotter and exellent radars as well.

 

[Refueler]

Having used many evolutions of SatNav and then into plotters ... Garmin, Lowrance, etc. When I came to replace my old trusted Lowrance - I opted for the Onwa.
I accepted that it was not NMEA2000 equipped, but that was not a function I needed ... and anyway there are plenty of 'plexors' out there to sort connectivity if needed. My NMEA2WiFi has created an info hub on my boat with capability to accept more inputs by upgrading to the NMEA4WiFi unit ...
Since buying the Onwa - proven to be very good I have to say - Onwa has evolved into a worlds first with OneNet connectivity in its new line-up.

NMEA ONENET Standard - ONWA Marine Electronics Co. Ltd.

Now this has me intrigued .... as I understand it - the Multi Display Onwa units can now literally display most any you wish to connect .... the question being whether it may be brand limited.... but if it really is based on "Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) and the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Local Area Network" then I expect connectivity to be wide ranging as we find with PC's etc.

If I was in the market for a new setup today - it would definitely be on my list.

I find marine electronics is following similar path to RC gear .... traditional brands hanging on by fingernails ... encrypting, limiting access to try and keep users on their gear ... but often actually creating a trend where people start to look at other gear that can accept / adapt to various protocols.
Example from RC : Spektrum became a world leading brand and locked out others. Along comes FrSky who then offered a way out where user could actually decide what RF protocol they wished to use without changing the radio itself. It was a revolution. Sadly FrSky fell into same trap later ... but salvation was coming .... MPM Radios appeared. Multi Protocol Module Radios where about 90% of the RF protocols out there were programmed into the radio - you could now buy any RX out there, in user settings of Tx - you choose the protocol and the two connect.

I see a similar road with Marine Electronics ... NMEA got different gear talking to each other - but brands wanted to lock customers into their gear so along comes a modified version - Seatalk .... Raytalk ..... Where increasingly you had limitations connecting gear.
But I see a glimmer of a light appearing .... maybe similr to RC MPM is on its way ... OneNet may herald a start ? OpenSource is also on its way I reckon ... and long overdue.

I am sure Paul R and a few others will counter my post - that's fine, I'm not so daft to think everyone has to follow me or whatever. I may have OneNet misread ... but I do find it interesting that in many electronics markets - unknown usually Chinese brands have upset the SQ and caused change to customers advantage.

 

[tillergirl]

I have an Onwa KM12X, a multi-display unit and a Onwa KAP866 AutoPilot which commands a Neco Drive Unit (1970's technology). I am very pleased with it. It is button driven not touch screen and is priced according. Has of course all the standard different screens. The KM drives Navionics or C-Map and the usual full plotter functionality, Wind, Depth (including fish finder if required), AIS and radar (which I don't have). It can use NMEA 0183 and or 2000 (which can drive an engine 'gauges' screen - which I don't use). We did a test of the Route function last week in a very 'precise' area (i.e. between some shallows and hazards) and we were impressed by its performance. I don't think it will steer to the wind though. I haven't made use of the Onenet yet.

 

[ChromeDome]

Onwa def. less expensive but a detailed specs comparison is needed. Much easier of you know your requirements.

As per Navionics compatibility table it won't handle e.g. 3D View (Navionics Platinum feature)

 

[Refueler]

My mention of Onwa was not as a proposal to OP ... but opening up the subject.

We see so many things changing each day as tech evolves - its worth looking at least to see what's coming up the road. If such as OneNet can open up doors to enable different brands to interact as we enjoy with computers - then why not.

 

[Refueler]

Onwa def. less expensive but a detailed specs comparison is needed. Much easier of you know your requirements.

As per Navionics compatibility table it won't handle e.g. 3D View (Navionics Platinum feature)

Seems to handle pretty much all else ... unlike many on that list ....

I think for the cost savings - I can live without 3D View .....

Pal of mine has 3D View on his plotter ... he was all raving about it ... after a while all went quiet ... I asked him about it ... he admitted that he tried it a few times but novelty soon wore off .... especially after I introduced him to a PC based system that did that and more ... (please do not ask me for it - its commercial).

 

[Malish]

I have an Onwa KM12X, a multi-display unit and a Onwa KAP866 AutoPilot which commands a Neco Drive Unit (1970's technology). I am very pleased with it. It is button driven not touch screen and is priced according. Has of course all the standard different screens. The KM drives Navionics or C-Map and the usual full plotter functionality, Wind, Depth (including fish finder if required), AIS and radar (which I don't have). It can use NMEA 0183 and or 2000 (which can drive an engine 'gauges' screen - which I don't use). We did a test of the Route function last week in a very 'precise' area (i.e. between some shallows and hazards) and we were impressed by its performance. I don't think it will steer to the wind though. I haven't made use of the Onenet yet.

Do you have view on Onwa's charts as supplied with the plotter 'K-charts' I believe. Giving Onwa some serious thought to replace a Standard Horizon CP300.