There are so many chartplotters on the market I am driving myself crazy trying to figure out wich one the best value for me. I have narrowed it down to some of the features that I think would be important They are:

Cost - every dollar counts

wireless connectivity - so that I can connect a large tablet

bulkhead mount

sunlight viewable

included charts eg navionics gold

NMEA copmpatable so I can use coursemaster 85i, wind and speed

worldwide base maps - I am hopeing I can use this in conjunction with the navionics app rather than buying charts for all the places i might go. ie use the app or a paper chart for a detailed view then use the lat an long to put a way point on the base map. (is this a dumb idea?)

With all these criteria in mind it seems the 5" or 7 " a series Raymarine (provided I can load worlwide base maps) is a good option but there might be something I am missing here because detailed comparisons between all the models are hard to come by,

I have never owned a chartplotter so I would appreciate any advice.

Not sure about all the interfacing you referred to but the Lowrance Elite 7 chart plotter/fish finder is pretty good value for money. Comes preloaded with Aus charts I believe.

www.whitworths.com.au/lowrance-elite-12-ti-fishfinder-chartplotter-with-active-imaging-3-in-1-transducer

Ive been looking at the raymarine a5
As a one instrument meaning
Ploter depth speed and wind plus it can do engine data
In stead of having any thing else
One instrument does every thing

I have never owned raymarine up until now.....it seams pritty bullet proof and idiot proof so far and it seems the new models are very advanced with all the wifi/mumbo jumbo included!

However i just can't keep up with the technology changes any futher I think I will stick to the C80 and Navionics for the next 10 years or so!

No hang on! actually I think I might go back to paper charts and sextant!

Go the 7" screen if at all possible. I have a Raymarine 5" & have to put my glasses on every time I want to read it!!

Depends on your age/eyesight I suppose but if you're an old bloke with bad close up eyesight the bigger the screen the better.

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Lazzarae said..
Go the 7" screen if at all possible. I have a Raymarine 5" & have to put my glasses on every time I want to read it!!

Depends on your age/eyesight I suppose but if you're an old bloke with bad close up eyesight the bigger the screen the better.

Thanks Lazz I have been pondering that but thought Id be able to mirror to a tablet on deck and keep everything else below so I could use a either a android 9 or apple 9 inch in a water proof case on deck and have quick mounting point in the cockpit

I was thinking on a Raymarine I 70 but then you still need a plotter and then you have to drill holes and let the sun and sea turn it to crap over the years.
So I figure if I can get one screen and connect a wind , depth and speed ( would like sea temp if possible) to a plotter Ide be happy and probably cost less



A lright Lazz when you have had enough of your A5 sell it to me and you buy your A7 ok

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cisco said..

Not sure about all the interfacing you referred to but the Lowrance Elite 7 chart plotter/fish finder is pretty good value for money. Comes preloaded with Aus charts I believe.

www.whitworths.com.au/lowrance-elite-12-ti-fishfinder-chartplotter-with-active-imaging-3-in-1-transducer

Thanks for that Cisco. It is great value but the only thing it doesn't have is wifi / bluetooth which (if I understand it correctly) basically duplicates all the functionality of the chart plotter onto a tablet or phone

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HG02 said..

Lazzarae said..
Go the 7" screen if at all possible. I have a Raymarine 5" & have to put my glasses on every time I want to read it!!

Depends on your age/eyesight I suppose but if you're an old bloke with bad close up eyesight the bigger the screen the better.

Thanks Lazz I have been pondering that but thought Id be able to mirror to a tablet on deck and keep everything else below so I could use a either a android 9 or apple 9 inch in a water proof case on deck and have quick mounting point in the cockpit

I was thinking on a Raymarine I 70 but then you still need a plotter and then you have to drill holes and let the sun and sea turn it to crap over the years.
So I figure if I can get one screen and connect a wind , depth and speed ( would like sea temp if possible) to a plotter Ide be happy and probably cost less



A lright Lazz when you have had enough of your A5 sell it to me and you buy your A7 ok

Good thinking HG. After doing some more research it looks like the 5 and 7 inch a series are not NMEA compatable without an adapter. Maybe that's what they are cheaper than the e series.

Andy,
I have the small a series unit and agree with Lazzarae re the size. The size of the smaller unit can be an issue, but for me mainly when you are setting up a new route.

I link mine to a ipad via the wireless link and use the iPad to set up new routes. The bigger screen helps but the touch screen quality suffers when using the iPad. You are driving the a series through the iPad and this gets a bit clunky.

When I first bought the a series I was able to set up routes on the iPad using naviworks then copy the route to the a series. One of the benefits is that you can set up routes at home and down load onto the boat. This worked realy well until I updated software and lost this capability. I need to sort out what happened and how to fix but have not got there yet. I would talk to the retailer if you go down the a series / tablet path and make certain you can get the copy from naviworks to work.

Just one thing to think about when using a tablet in the cockpit at night. None that I have seen have a night time colour palette and they ruin your night vision.

Great advice, thanks LMY and Cisco. Will keep digging for more info

Hey Andy, pressures on now. I heard a rumour Whitworths has a 15% off everything sale to coincide with the Sanctuary Cove boat show starting Friday week. Maybe you could save a few more boat bucks if you are able to come to a decision.

I have the Raymarine e7D Chart Plotter (a.k.a. "Multi function display) which has everything on your list as well as built-in sonar! The "hybrid touch" system works well, i.e., use either touch or knobs, whatever is most convenient, and it's trivial to dim the display for night time use. WiFi connectivity works very well and lets you take control via your smart phone or tablet. Bluetooth connectivity lets you take control via the RCU-3 remote control unit.

BTW, Arnold's Boat Shop (www.arnoldsboatshop.com.au) is an Australian online retailer with good prices for Raymarine gear; usually better prices than Whitworths!

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scruzin said..
I have the Raymarine e7D Chart Plotter (a.k.a. "Multi function display) which has everything on your list as well as built-in sonar! The "hybrid touch" system works well, i.e., use either touch or knobs, whatever is most convenient, and it's trivial to dim the display for night time use. WiFi connectivity works very well and lets you take control via your smart phone or tablet. Bluetooth connectivity lets you take control via the RCU-3 remote control unit.

BTW, Arnold's Boat Shop (www.arnoldsboatshop.com.au) is an Australian online retailer with good prices for Raymarine gear; usually better prices than Whitworths!

Id be very interested in what you have yours connected to Scruzin

iSailor on iPad has night mode, NMEA wireless for external GPS, AIS and in the latest version autopilot, also options for weather and tide overlays, and a simple depth sounder option (NMEA). I use this app in a fairly simplistic way with no connections to anything at the moment and it works well. Maps are good value. In fact, I might use the immediate asset write-off in the latest budget to get a new iPad and retire the iPad2 to the boat permanently.

isailor.us/news/

Don't shoot me down if this is missing the point - I'm not very edumacated re these navy plotty things but it seems worth considering if anyone has a spare iPad.

In future hope to add a pocket under my dodger in which the iPad can sit securely on an angle of around 45 degrees so that there is no glare or reflection unless sun is directly behind the helm. It will also need a charging cable run up there.

Thanks Scruzin the e series is looking good.
Dr Rog the iPad is good but charging it at sea can be a problem sometimes.

I also have the Raymarine e7 Multi-function Display and agree that the 'hybrid touch' gives you plenty of options for changing display etc which can be difficult in a seaway with a normal touch screen. And yes, changing the background for night vision is easy.

It sits in front of one wheel and integrates with an I70 colour display that gives data (but not chart) readout on the other side. I also have the ACU 200 Evolution auto-pilot which is quite amazing. All it lacks is a remote control for adjustment from anywhere on deck. I think there may be a Madman remote in my future though.

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HG02 said..
Ive been looking at the raymarine a5
As a one instrument meaning
Ploter depth speed and wind plus it can do engine data
In stead of having any thing else
One instrument does every thing

but doesn't that also mean you end up losing everything IF that one instrument throws in the towel?

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HG02 said..

scruzin said..
I have the Raymarine e7D Chart Plotter (a.k.a. "Multi function display) which has everything on your list as well as built-in sonar! The "hybrid touch" system works well, i.e., use either touch or knobs, whatever is most convenient, and it's trivial to dim the display for night time use. WiFi connectivity works very well and lets you take control via your smart phone or tablet. Bluetooth connectivity lets you take control via the RCU-3 remote control unit.

BTW, Arnold's Boat Shop (www.arnoldsboatshop.com.au) is an Australian online retailer with good prices for Raymarine gear; usually better prices than Whitworths!

Id be very interested in what you have yours connected to Scruzin

I went with Raymarine for pretty much everything, except for a few special sensors that Raymarine doesn't make and my VHF radio. In summary, I have the Raymarine SPX-10 autopilot course computer, p70 autopilot control head, etc. My fuel level sensor is a Maretron TLA100 which speaks NMEA2000, so the e7D can report fuel levels, which sure beats running below to look at an analog fuel gauge.

Here's my setup:

Just a little tread wander here but it may be of interest to tablet fans. I'm in Marseilles at the moment on a Med cruise after a few days in Paris and Britain. For navigation I have a 8" tablet, GPS dongle loaded with Seaclear and chart. Also HERE maps on both tablet and smartphone. Here maps is an offline programme and is very damn clever. Works incredibly well at home or in a hotel room. Out on the streets with just the lightest sprinkling of rain and both phone and tablet are useless! Then it's back to tourists maps like every other tourist. What I really needed was my $20 electronic compass and when I get home it will be placed with my cruise ship kit.
In my yacht I use a pemanently installed laptop (no battery) and a Logitech track roller ball. The track roller ball is screwed down on a pad at an angle so that water drains away from my fingers. I would never contemplate a touch screen, I reckon the salt water smudges would drive me crazy.
My ideal plotter would be a 20" 4x3 screen and a mini 12v computer and the track roller ball setup.

This cruise ship is new, this is only its second trip. Everything is done by tablets. Either your own or tablets mounted all round the place or in waiters hands. Generally they work well but there have been some hick ups and some of the older people need help!

Nice setup Scruzin
Your right Ramona touch can be frustrating with wet hands. the E Series is bouth touch and knob control. By knob i dont mean the operater.

Got a mate with a touch screen and he said it plays up when water (ocean) splashes on it. The touch of the water can have the same result as you touching it. I have a c96 - knobs and buttons only. But it has the option of WiFi ing into it with the iPad if you feel the need to get frustrated.

I also brought one of the remotes you can put at the helm. Another waste of money. A few months later they were giving them away. Next they'll be paying people to take them. Unless piece of crap. Well, that's my thoughts.

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DrRog said..
iSailor on iPad has night mode, NMEA wireless for external GPS, AIS and in the latest version autopilot, also options for weather and tide overlays, and a simple depth sounder option (NMEA). I use this app in a fairly simplistic way with no connections to anything at the moment and it works well. Maps are good value.

DrRog, I checked the iSailor website but couldn't see pricing for charts; looks like an in-app purchase.

Since you have done it, can you say what Australian East typical charts cost (say Sydney to Whitsundays), and whether you get chart updates from time to time?

Also, if your device dies after a year or two, and you buy a new, probably different model, do you know whether you have to re-purchase all charts in your portfolio or can you just load onto a new device?

Thanks
Karsten

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Crusoe said..
Got a mate with a touch screen and he said it plays up when water (ocean) splashes on it. The touch of the water can have the same result as you touching it. I have a c96 - knobs and buttons only. But it has the option of WiFi ing into it with the iPad if you feel the need to get frustrated.

I also brought one of the remotes you can put at the helm. Another waste of money. A few months later they were giving them away. Next they'll be paying people to take them. Unless piece of crap. Well, that's my thoughts.

I am with you. Knobs and buttons only way to go.

Touch screens are bad enough on phones and tablets. When they fail it is paper charts and plotting GPS co ordinates.

Knowing that "True Virgins Make Dull Company" will get you where you want to go along most coasts.

While I agree with the sentiment that touch screens aren't that effective when getting splashed with water, they're still incredibly handy. Keep in mind that a lot of time at the chart plotter is spent planning trips, entering/reviewing waypoints, monitoring, looking for fish, etc. Touch screens are great for all that. BTW, I've got my e7D mounted on a swivel so I can use it either indoors our outdoors. In foul weather, with the autopilot on, everything is controllable from inside.

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scruzin said..
While I agree with the sentiment that touch screens aren't that effective when getting splashed with water, they're still incredibly handy. Keep in mind that a lot of time at the chart plotter is spent planning trips, entering/reviewing waypoints, monitoring, looking for fish, etc. Touch screens are great for all that. BTW, I've got my e7D mounted on a swivel so I can use it either indoors our outdoors. In foul weather, with the autopilot on, everything is controllable from inside.

My thinking was a tablet on deck would be for viewing more than touch screen use keep it in a water proof case

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HG02 said..

scruzin said..
While I agree with the sentiment that touch screens aren't that effective when getting splashed with water, they're still incredibly handy. Keep in mind that a lot of time at the chart plotter is spent planning trips, entering/reviewing waypoints, monitoring, looking for fish, etc. Touch screens are great for all that. BTW, I've got my e7D mounted on a swivel so I can use it either indoors our outdoors. In foul weather, with the autopilot on, everything is controllable from inside.

My thinking was a tablet on deck would be for viewing more than touch screen use keep it in a water proof case

You have to touch the screen to zoom in and out. Try a little spray on a screen and see how effective they are. I can't even make phone calls or send text messages from the cockpit on normal sailing days with my smart phone.

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Ramona said..

HG02 said..

scruzin said..
While I agree with the sentiment that touch screens aren't that effective when getting splashed with water, they're still incredibly handy. Keep in mind that a lot of time at the chart plotter is spent planning trips, entering/reviewing waypoints, monitoring, looking for fish, etc. Touch screens are great for all that. BTW, I've got my e7D mounted on a swivel so I can use it either indoors our outdoors. In foul weather, with the autopilot on, everything is controllable from inside.

My thinking was a tablet on deck would be for viewing more than touch screen use keep it in a water proof case

You have to touch the screen to zoom in and out. Try a little spray on a screen and see how effective they are. I can't even make phone calls or send text messages from the cockpit on normal sailing days with my smart phone.

I know exactly what you mean Ramona my phone with a little rain is useless all Id want it for on deck is viewing nothing else depth ,wind and nav flashing between the three

Karsten,

Yes, maps are transferable.

Map prices are in details of app in the store.

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bayview said..

HG02 said..
Ive been looking at the raymarine a5
As a one instrument meaning
Ploter depth speed and wind plus it can do engine data
In stead of having any thing else
One instrument does every thing

but doesn't that also mean you end up losing everything IF that one instrument throws in the towel?

I also have an old lappy at the moment Ill set up as a back up and will be making a dedicated low power PC for the boat

I have a Raymarine C120 W.... still need someone to install if for me... any recommendations of who to do it in the Coffs Harbour area?