Recommended Chartplotter ?

[jdonnell2003]

Hi All,

What make / model chartplotters would you recommend these days. Previously I've quite liked the Garmin units but I’m open to ideas as there is so much on the market now. I’m looking for something for a 5.5m rib that is easy to use and has a depth sounder etc. AIS would be a bonus / any other modern features.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jdonnell2003

Hi All,



What make / model chartplotters would you recommend these days. Previously I've quite liked the Garmin units but I’m open to ideas as there is so much on the market now. I’m looking for something for a 5.5m rib that is easy to use and has a depth sounder etc. AIS would be a bonus / any other modern features.

All the manufacturers have very similar offerings at various price points. Decide how much you want to pay & see what’s on offer for your budget. Probably not as helpful as you were hoping for, but it usually comes down to personal preference within a given price. Garmin/Lowrance (or any others from Navico, Simrad, B&G) Raymarine etc. all have very similar units at a similar price.

[GuyC]

I'm a Garmin person but as PD says, there is a significant choice at a very similar price point and spec.

I would recommend going for as big a screen as you can accommodate. I like keys rather than touch screen as they are easier to press when bouncing around. In addition they are operable with gloves. Don't forget you'll need a transducer. Some chartplotter packages come with them.

I quite like AIS and whilst it is information overload in the Solent, it's useful for seeing what is about in quieter areas. I'm not aware of a plotter with AIS integrated into it but you can either get a separate AIS receiver / transceiver or possibly link it into an AIS VHF. Don't get sidetracked by the on-line AIS apps that are simply someone uploading AIS data to a website. It's often hours / days / weeks out of date.

Good luck with the choice. If you stick with a recognised brand, you won't go far wrong.

[ptm]

Whatever you get, it’s probably best to avoid any fancy touchscreen models for a rib, or you might end up plotting a course for North America!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ptm

Whatever you get, it’s probably best to avoid any fancy touchscreen models for a rib, or you might end up plotting a course for North America!

Funny that, as the owner of 2 hybrid plotters (touch screen+”real buttons”) we find that we use the touch screen much more than the buttons. The touchscreen is fine even in the worst of conditions.

[oracle]

I've got both Garmin and Raymarine touchscreens and the screens are no problem on the rib.

The Raymarine software is pretty ropey but seems to be getting better slowly since Garmin took them over. Not great yet, though.

[Playtime]

I have just fitted a pair of garmin 923.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by oracle

I've got both Garmin and Raymarine touchscreens and the screens are no problem on the rib.



The Raymarine software is pretty ropey but seems to be getting better slowly since Garmin took them over. Not great yet, though.

I didn’t know Garmin had taken over Raymarine, interesting. I know Garmin now own Navionics, so if they’ve added Raymarine to the fold, the choice of plotters is going to get even smaller.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Owned a hummingbird side scan great bit of kit plus above can’t say any are better or worse than the others IMO

[oracle]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I didn’t know Garmin had taken over Raymarine, interesting. I know Garmin now own Navionics, so if they’ve added Raymarine to the fold, the choice of plotters is going to get even smaller.

I was sure that I'd seen that earlier in the year but cant find what it was now. May be that I'm wrong on that

[Obsidian]

I am a big fan of Garmin, used and installed them for years

Whatever brand you choose, there ought to be some good Black Friday deals at the moment

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by oracle

I was sure that I'd seen that earlier in the year but cant find what it was now. May be that I'm wrong on that

FLIR Systems who own Raymarine were bought by Teledyne quite recently.

[oracle]

Thanks for that. Wonder where I got that weird crossed wire from ?!