Chart plotter

Here is a good solution. Do you own a laptop or droid pad? You can use charting software on that. Most droid pads have gps built in, but a usb gps receiver is only about $25. Many advantages to this.

Chart your course at home on the laptop then just use it on the boat. Download free NOAA enc charts and be up to date every single time without the cost of paying for charts...ever.

A lot of free available software. If you have a laptop you don't have any costs at all.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Joe, I'll give you a call. Peleka, my brother made the same suggestion, just don't know if I want my laptop rolling around the bridge.
 
Gregory,

I'd consider a used Ipad with 3G, then download the excellent Navionics app. You do not have to be connected to 3G in order for the gps feature to work. As for mounting it, there are many excellent products on Amazon to mount it to your windshield or whatever. After you're done, take the Ipad home.

Prices are dropping on the original Ipad with the advent of the new one. The original is completely adequate for marine uses. Also, you can get AIS and anchor alarms for cheap too. Check e-mail...etc. I have an older Garmin in my boat which is fine...but I'll never upgrade it. Tablets are the future.

-Greg
 
Greg, You can't see the IPAD in direct sunlight. I have 2 we use inside the boat for entertainment surfing the web.
Bill
 
You shouldn't have to call Garmin tech support if you know how to use their web site ever possible question, answer and new revision of firmware is there.
As for Lowrance it is pure crap tech support told me and I quote "we throw out the unit and just send you a new one we only pay like $19.00 for that VHF NMEA2000 radio". To bad I wanted to give it to my slip neighbor and wanted the code to clear my MMSI out of it.
Bill
 
You shouldn't have to call Garmin tech support if you know how to use their web site ever possible question, answer and new revision of firmware is there. Even how to send a unit back for repair. I'm only defending them because I have only had one problem it was with the 1st run of GMR24HD units. They replaced the unit.
As for Lowrance it is pure crap tech support told me and I quote "we throw out the unit and just send you a new one we only pay like $19.00 for that VHF NMEA2000 radio". To bad I wanted to give it to my slip neighbor and wanted the code to clear my MMSI out of it.
Bill
 
Never had a problem with Garmin.
1-800-800-1020.
Answers 16 hours a day, Mon thru Friday.
They don't care if its in warranty, or out. Never any charges for tech help.
 
quote:
Originally posted by GSENT

Never had a problem with Garmin.
1-800-800-1020.
Answers 16 hours a day, Mon thru Friday.
They don't care if its in warranty, or out. Never any charges for tech help.

Click to expand...


Ditto with Furuno. If you e-mail them with your phone # during off hours, they call you back. What do new charts cost for Garmins now? The Blue Chart SD cards for the hand-helds used to be outrageous. I certainly would tend to default to Garmin as a US company.

I don't like laptops or I-Pads as a primary navigation tool. As Bill points out most modern units are worthless in or around sunlight due to the high gloss screens. We have both an i-Mac and MacBook on board and they are nice as planning tools or back ups, but I would never use them as the primary tool to drive the boat. Besides the screen issues, they are too prone to freezing and crashing to be mission critical devices.

Ironically, we get by fine with matte, anti-glare Acer screens of about 300cd/m brightness, thought the one on the fly bridge is mounted on a RAM mount and somewhat shaded by a polarized cabinet top that flips up.

A buddy has an SH 7" unit from about 5 years ago on his Parker, and I have been pretty impressed with the simplicity and image quality.

George
Hatteras 56MY (Furuno 1944CBB and 1920 CBB)
Boston Whaler 130 Sport ("Let's go over that way..")
 
I wouldn't suggest anything under 8" if it is your primary navigation tool. I prefer 12" screens and would probably have had 15" if I had the real estate on the dash for flush mounting but I don't. With Garmin the 42XX series and up XX is the screen size 4208 = 8", 4210 = 10" and the 4212 is 12". I guess it depends how good your eyesight is as well.
Bill
 
+1 to BillyIII's recommendation. I have an SH with a 5.5 inch screen. It's great for the river when I have preplotted the course.

I was out shopping today at sporting goods shops. The difference between a 7 and an 8 inch screen is HUGE. When I got back into boating my boating mentor told me about screen size that it is a "toss up between the biggest that will fit and the biggest you can afford. Think of screen size as a diamond to a woman. There is no such thing as too big!"

10" to 12" for the areas you will be traveling will be good. How much are you looking to spend? As a military Officer, you should have a direct line to reduced price Panasonic Tough Book laptops. I know a few folks that use them as a plotter screen. The Mil Spec'd ones are daylight viewable.

There is a company named Vartech that specializes in daylight viewable / water resistant screens.

HTH.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

You shouldn't have to call Garmin tech support if you know how to use their web site ever possible question, answer and new revision of firmware is there. Even how to send a unit back for repair. I'm only defending them because I have only had one problem it was with the 1st run of GMR24HD units. They replaced the unit.
As for Lowrance it is pure crap tech support told me and I quote "we throw out the unit and just send you a new one we only pay like $19.00 for that VHF NMEA2000 radio". To bad I wanted to give it to my slip neighbor and wanted the code to clear my MMSI out of it.
Bill

Click to expand...


Bill,

FWIW, my brother is a very close friend with the gent who CEO of the company who came up with the original Palm. He gave one to my brother to beat to death and report accordingly. My brother told him NO. It's too expensive. The gent said, Jxxxxx. We pay 30 cents a piece from China.

It is what it is. You know as well as I that we did not get to this economic disaster yesterday.
 
Greg,
I too am a real fan of SH, I have had two of them and the service from the company is great. Easy to learn, does not break the bank, and the screen is great in sunlight on the bridge.
 
quote:
Originally posted by TurboWarp

No one like Raymarine anymore? My old e80 works fine.

Click to expand...

I have nothing against RayMarine I just haven't had much hands on so I can not comment on them.
Bill
 
Greg your never gonna get enough time away from the Dock to need a Plotter! :)

I repaired some of the first plotters connected to the Hi-speed computers.
My advice is to get the one with the least mechanical parts.
Some of the Plotters need special paper and that kind of paper has to be kept dry. Not for boats.
 
Joe, is that unit color or gray scale? Definately interested.
 
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