Current thoughts on chart plotters

matata · 16 February 2016, 21:57

Anyone spotted any bargains out there? I'm looking for a chart plotter with depth. some deals come with charts. i'm not looking for super great detail charts of all of the uk but if there was a deal going all the better.The charts can be more than the plotter! Any do's and dont's . Thoughts? Ta Nik

jeffstevens763@g · 17 February 2016, 08:40

force 4 chandlers have some deals on you can buy plotters ready loaded depends on what you want but there's some nice small stuff out there. lowrance,Garmin etc

cheers

Wightdiver · 17 February 2016, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by matata

Anyone spotted any bargains out there? I'm looking for a chart plotter with depth. some deals come with charts. i'm not looking for super great detail charts of all of the uk but if there was a deal going all the better.The charts can be more than the plotter! Any do's and dont's . Thoughts? Ta Nik

Some great deals about on Raymarine Dragonfly's at the moment, about 50% off. Smaller models start at about £200.00. I bought the Dragonfly 5 for £299.00. Force 4 are doing good deals but google them and see what pops up.

Andy

Pikey Dave · 17 February 2016, 10:41

Check which charts are bundled with whatever you buy, some are just basic base maps & not much use.

jambo · 17 February 2016, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Check which charts are bundled with whatever you buy, some are just basic base maps & not much use.

Got to agree with Dave got to check really well and ask questions exactly what is loaded.

Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

jeffstevens763@g · 17 February 2016, 11:16

agree with the boys also look at whats in the box you might find no transducer or no screen cover.

cheers

willk · 17 February 2016, 11:24

Navionics Silver charts are often bundled. They only have data out to the 10m line - not much use if you're fishing!

I used to preach that bigger is better with plotters. That extra screen size is great but always comes at a price. Now a lot of the plotter systems come with WIFI so you can relay the data to a tablet and often control the plotter FROM the tablet as well. Maybe one to consider if you just need basic functions but want a big screen for fishing/nav. planning.

There are plotter/sounder combos (which you want) out there with WIFI and silver charts for around the £250 mark. Charts can be upgraded (maybe your local area only?) later for a modest cost

paintman · 17 February 2016, 11:29

Or look for one that comes with an upgrade option which may be cheaper than buying separately later.

Iron Dials · 17 February 2016, 16:17

Hi matata

I've been looking at all the bigger suppliers and they all have deals.

As mentioned above the charts that are bundled seems to be the critical item.
Doing research on some of the bundles Navionics Gold Small Chart is included.
This looks fine but beware of future upgrade paths as Navionics website suggests that some devices aren't compatible with their newer maps should you wish to buy them. They have a good function on their website where you can look at hardware versus available charts.

I have a general question.
What do people generally buy relating to boat size, range, mounting space available?
I'm struggling to justify a screen size bigger than the small Garmin 45dv as I don't plan to be offshore (no more than a lot of "leisure" ribs) and size of screen isn't critical as it's mostly visual nav I expect to do.

I'd love a bit of tech bling though.

jeffstevens763@g · 17 February 2016, 16:58

For me a 5 inch screen minimum I had a 551 garmin on my 6m rib mounted opposite side to the helm not my choice just the rib layout in contrast on a 7 inch lowrance elite 7 on a SIB reason I can have all three screens up at once

Cheers

two stroke mick · 17 February 2016, 17:41

I have a garmin 550. I would not want a plotter with a smaller screen than this.

Pikey Dave · 17 February 2016, 19:00

I have an HDS 9, only because I couldn't fit a 12 on the console👍

willk · 17 February 2016, 21:46

I think if you are navigating in unfamiliar waters or using the display for sonar then size trumps all else - just for the sheer benefit of having it all there in front of you.

The OP may just want depth and position on a chart - for backup to the Mark 1 eyeball, as it were? I don't know how the removable units stand up to the elements and abuse? I've certainly preferred to have mine sealed in place when possible watertight and tricky to pinch!

Like Pikey Dave - I hadda settle for a 9 inch

Pikey Dave · 17 February 2016, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I think if you are navigating in unfamiliar waters or using the display for sonar then size trumps all else - just for the sheer benefit of having it all there in front of you.

The OP may just want depth and position on a chart - for backup to the Mark 1 eyeball, as it were? I don't know how the removable units stand up to the elements and abuse? I've certainly preferred to have mine sealed in place when possible watertight and tricky to pinch!

Like Pikey Dave - I hadda settle for a 9 inch

I do have room to fit a 7" along side the 9" & I'm seriously considering it. I had twin 8" MFDs on the last boat & I miss 'em

Uncle Nobby · 17 February 2016, 22:44

On the rib, I have Garmin 45dv with transom mounted transducer (downside is no battery). This works well enough, but I also have a Magellan Explorist XL as a back up (which is self-contained and battery powered). On my other boat, I have a Simrad NSS12 which is sooooo easy to use and read, especially with radar and other toys.

Out of all, I prefer the Simrad by a country mile.