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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Chartplotters

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/09/2016 : 07:01:47

If this query violates any guidelines, I apologize and will take-down immediately... BUT, with the risk on 'naming names'...I planning to replace my current Garmin, (which has seen better days) and am looking at new Garmin units and also seeing some interesting units from both Lowrance and Raymarine...any experiences to share?

thx,
JL

Jerry

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2016 : 08:12:15

What's your current unit, and how similar are you looking for--in size and features? How "connected" do you want it to be (depth, wind, phone, etc.)? My current plotter is a Garmin 640 that I use on the boat and in my car--it boots up as a chartplotter or a street navigator (without traffic), with all mapping onboard. I like that it has a battery so I can do route planning without it being connected to anything--yet it has a bigger screen than a pocket GPS. But I haven't seen a current model like that in the last few years.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now boatless for the first time since 1970 (on a Sunfish).

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2016 : 08:22:28

My current unit (faithful servant that it was) is the Garmin 162, I'm leaning towards another Garmin...a 5" display is fine, external antennae, and some type of depth reader...but there are other similar units available and not much data to differentiate.

Jerry

Edited by - jerlim on 02/09/2016 08:34:10

JanS48
Navigator

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USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2016 : 18:25:04

Greeting
I needed a new depth gauge and ended up going for a Raymarine CP combo - I'm not sure of the exact model but it's awesome, 5" screen with fairly good res, displays depth, speed, and will show you tied to a dock! Not that I needed it but the fish finder is something else, once while out sailing I turned it on to see a school of something good size making it's way at about 40' down. It was $450 ish at WM. I would buy one again.
Jan

82 C25 SR FK
Sailing out of Newport Harbor.

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2016 : 08:01:10

i find i'm using the Navionics app on my iPhone and iPad more than my chart plotters They will link together, so routes, tracks, etc show up on each device. I've used this app on deliveries, to include BVI to FL, back and for the to the Bahamas, and from the Keys up the East Coast of FL. The iPod app was ~$50 with a year of chart updates and a ~$25 yearly renewal fee. The iPhone was $9.99, again with yearly chart updates, and a ~$5 yearly renewal. If you chose not to renew you can still use all functions except the chart updates. Too many advantages over my Garmin to list, but it started as a back-up on the BVI trip but ended up being the primary. The one disadvantage on larger boats is that it does not sync with the auto pilot. But that just kept us engaged during long runs.

Tom Curran
1981 Capri 25 Hull #101 "Dirty Debbie"
1988 Watkins 30
PAFB, FL

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2016 : 08:37:53

IMO, it's a question of what you want and need and if you can justify the cost. I have a small, handheld Garmin gps that I used on a 375 n mile delivery from the Block Island area to Baltimore, because the boat had electrical problems and the boat's instruments were unusable. It got us there safely. Bigger screens and more nifty features are nice, if you want or need them, and can justify the cost, but a handheld will take you where you want to go.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2016 : 12:28:51

Yup, although in my area, where the contours and features are made of granite with sizes ranging from Volkswagens to Delaware, a 5" or larger screen helps to avoid "touching" things!

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2016 : 08:29:32

So Verizon is tempting us with a heavily discounted iPad with a 2 year agreement renewal.

Any minimum specs for an iPad that could/would be used as a chartplotter?

1989 C25 TR/WK, #5822
1973 McVay Minuet 19
1975 Jester 12
1981 C25 SR/SK, #2428
1981 C22 SR/SK,
Tanzer 16
Sunfish

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Kenneth Grahame

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2016 : 18:20:34

OJ...Given your phone plan I assume you will seek an iPad with cellular and GPS. Our iPad (Air 2) is not cellular so we use a hand held BadElf Pro GPS that communicates with the iPad via Bluetooth -- works great and this approach is easy on the iPad battery.

This is our first season exploring using the iPad for navigation but a few first impressions.

The 9.7" screen is sooo much easier on the eyes than our handheld Garmin Oregon 450 (2.5" diag.) that is our primary GPS.
So far we have only wedged the iPad between the seat cushion and the bulkhead so are pretty careful when and under what conditions we use it. That said, it is very difficult to read in daylight hours but very easy as sunset approaches or after dark.
You have several choices of software.

Here on Lake Champlain I didn't see the need to update charts through a subscription so chose SeaIQ USA from Apple's App Store which can use charts from various sources, including NOAA RNC and ENC charts. So far I've been very pleased with how easy it is to plan/alter routes, save/import/export waypoints, routes, tracks, view real-time course data, etc. Charts can be updated automatically when you have WiFi access and movement between charts is seamless. (Unlike iNavx in which, if I understand correctly, you have to manually load charts as you travel.) In addition, SeaIQ interfaces automatically with ActiveCaptain when WiFi is available and stores the data internally so you have ready access to the information when out of WiFi range. In short...it's worth exploring the free version (and I have no affiliation of any kind with the company).

Last....the iPad is interesting but I would still look hard at a dedicated chartplotter for its all weather design, daylight visibility, etc. and choose the route best for your sailing needs.

Gerry Livingston, Malletts Bay, VT
"Great Escape" 1989 C-25 SR/WK #5972

Edited by - glivs on 07/27/2016 18:21:10

jduck00
Captain

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USA
313 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2016 : 07:03:19

I use an iPad air and Navionics app. It works great. You will need an iPad with built in GPS. I run mine on airplane mode most of the time while out. The biggest drawback is not being able to see the screen easily in the sun. That and you will have to keep the iPad shaded as you are using it. I've found that if I use it in direct sunlight too long it can overheat and then I have to wait for it to cool down. Still works for me well enough.

Jeremy Duck
The Lucky Duck
1980 SKSR Hull # 1850

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2016 : 19:58:38

I use INavX on my phone and IPad and MacEnc on my Macbook. They interact well, share a BT gps puck (better sensitivity and accuracy than the phone chip and can share the phone if the puck fails) and data screens. INavX works well but only uses raster charts on the phone and IPad. MacEnc is a great tool that can use a variety of charts so I might have to look at SeaIQ to see it it can interact with MacEnc.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2016 : 20:07:18

Try an IPad Mini 4. Screen is bright and can be seen much easier in daylight than the Air 2.

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5429 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2016 : 20:36:32

I have an iPod touch v5 and an older iPad with cellular. I cancelled the cell data plan on the iPad, but it still works on wifi and in standalone mode.
On my iPad, I have iSailor and Navionics Boating HD (both of which work disconnected provided you preload charts), and I'm delighted with both.
I also purchased Marine US that uses Geogarage data and Active Captain on my iPod touch.
I still use paper charts, do sightings and lines of position, and use a handheld GPS while sailing.
And I have a backup GPS or two around just in case.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Akenumber
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2016 : 12:24:28

Interesting to see how many of you use tablets. I guess why not. My lowrace cp is great with a 5 in screen and at about $480 or so. But if you want a bigger screen it twice as much. With bluetooth and wifi why not use a tablet.

Ken
San Diego
84 C25 SR/FK 4116
The KRAKEN

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