An Affordable Chartplotter Option?

Don S/V ILLusion · Feb 28, 2010

Richard
My only suggestion is to check the version date and datum of the mapping software, neither of which is mentioned as the charts may be outdated or of an incompatible datum to interface if you ever want.

Ed Schenck · Feb 28, 2010

That's exactly the kind of thing that I have trouble purchasing on E-Bay. Unless it is new in the box AND a product that I have touched I just cannot do it. Better to purchase a used product that you know where someone has upgraded. Around here we use neighborhood Craig's List so that we can go see it.

sailingdog · Feb 28, 2010

I would not get that.

First off, the specifications do not mention what processor is used or how much RAM it has. Given the probably age of the machine and the short warranty period, I would be very surprised if the system had enough CPU power to run Windows 2000 very well at all. Also, Windows 2000 is a lousy OS for a tablet, as it was never really designed for use on one. Finally, the reliability of Windows for such an important function is questionable. BSODs are far too common.

IMHO, you'd be far better off with a dedicated chartplotter instead. Something like this would be better IMHO.

wufibugs said:
I have been looking for an affordable chartplotter/gps option that would integrate with the existing systems on my boat. I plan on expanding my cruising range from local waters to as far as Cabo, so I thought this addition would be a good idea, as well as increasing my wife's comfort level. I have a Signet System 1500 wind/depthsounder, and Navico Wheelpilot WP 100 with the ST-4000 autopilot system that was, I believe, standard on Hunters of that era.

I was looking at the following military spec refurbished system advertised on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170451093416&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

I just don't feel competent to evaluate the unit itself, or what options would be good, recommended or ideal for my boat. I wondered if anyone has experience with this or a similar unit could comment on whether this is a reasonable solution, and, if it were, what I might want to add. I was impressed with the size of the screen, obviously intended for a much larger boat. As an example, just one of many I'm afraid, of the magnitude of my ignorance, I note that they will substitute a VGA screen for the LCD at no cost, but was not sure if that amounts to an imrovement or not.
I have the utmost respect for the opinions of this forum and appreciate your comments.

Paul Mermelstein · Feb 28, 2010

I took a quick look at the link. This system uses Windows 2000, which Microsoft will stop supporting July 13th this year. Also, as was said, the charts used may be out of date. And I did not see which chart media it uses.

This is not really a dedicated chartplotter for mariners. If you are going to go on longer and wider trips, you should probably budget a good bit more for a real system. Even though I have Raymarine, I would also recommend Garmin. There are a lot of choices. Also, both companies have recently introduced new models, so check out used models from the last 6-8 years that are still servicable.

Don12364 · Feb 28, 2010

Ask the seller the questions posed above. Also ask about the current consumption on 12V. If the charts are proprietary you will be able to get updates. I would not worry about the version of windows if you are only going to use it for navigation as you will not need any updates.
If he is genuine he will respond truthfully and if not you will have redress in getting your money back. Sellers are nervous about their ratings too.
In the last ten years or so I have used various laptops on board on my nav table and find their capabilities far exceed custom made chartplotters, have vastly bigger screens - and all for a fraction of the price.

stephen Penny · Feb 28, 2010

I recently installed a Garmin 3210 chart plotter, gps and GMR 24 digital radar for my 1987 Hunter 31. I had a pedestal and mounted an Edson table to it to mount the chart plotter. Alternatively, you can install a new pedestal to mount the chart plotter on. However, these are discontinued products and new ones are way more expensive. Last time I checked the 3210 was $1000 and GMR 24 was $400. New models sell for $2000 each. The gps is tied into the VHF emergency response signal. The chart plotter's split screen shows gps and radar. I plan to use it for night and offshore sailing and foggy conditions. I used them both last weekend when I got caught in the fog in a channel in San Francisco. Big improvement over the Loran I used sailed the Cheaspeake at night and Atlantic. Years ago I sailed from Marina Del Rey to Catalina Island in the fog across the shipping channel on a charted sailboat and would have welcomed a radar and gps.

Sumner · Feb 28, 2010

I hate to be too pessimistic, but I just can't see it doing what you want/need. Where are the inputs/outputs to communicate with your devices? I might not be reading the specs right, but I only see 1 USB port. Is there somewhere in all of that where they say it will communicate with NMEA devices? They say navigation software, but that is a pretty broad term. Is it using NOAA charts? What charts do you plan on using in Mexico and how are you going to load them and will their software work with them?

Go cautiously with this. I'd hate to see you throw your money away.

Good luck,

Sum

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sailingdog · Mar 1, 2010

Without an RS-232 port, the unit will require a USB-to-Serial adapter. While the unit itself may be ruggedized, the USB-to-Serial adapter will not. It is also very unlikely to support radar without some serious investment into software.

The Garmin 3205 or 3206 is available for about $500-600 and will support NMEA 0183 and will work with the Garmin 18HD hi-definition radome. Going this route would make far more sense if you really want the option to expand to radar in the future.

druid · Mar 1, 2010

USB-to-serial adapters are a pain in the butt: the drivers crash if they work at all. You need something STANDARD if you're ever going to get charts for it. I'd say better an entry-level Garmin than an oddball running Win2k. In fact, if you're going to go the Windows route, you're probably better off with a driveless netbook.

druid

richk · Mar 1, 2010

laptop with Seaclear II
I recommend a cheap laptop with Seaclear II.
1. Seaclear's free (http://www.sping.com/)
2. charts for Seaclear are free (http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download.htm)
3. replace laptop when it breaks

sailaway78 · Mar 1, 2010

Choices

You have several choices you can decide from. Quite a few on this board use a laptop, with Sea Clear or Max Sea and a GPS antenna. I have Max Sea with all the charts in my laptop. Biggest problem with this set up is the inability to have it at the helm, or risk moisture getting to the laptop. I have a small (498) Garmin chartplotter at the helm, and use it primarily. The laptop is wonderful for plotting and looking at where I am going, but for actual navigaion, it does not work for me. I am very partial to Garmin stuff, but any chartplotter with NEMA output should work with your other instruments, even though a different brand. You can find some pretty good plotters on ebay, brand new, for ballpark numbers of what you are looking at. As a final thought, if at all possible buy a plotter with built in charts. You will find the cost of the different chips will very soon be more than the cost of the plotter.

sailingdog · Mar 1, 2010

Even a cheap netbook, replaced twice is going to generally be more of a PITA and cost more than a dedicated chartplotter.

BarryL · Mar 1, 2010

Costs

Hey,

A real marine dedicated chartplotter is a lot cheaper than you think. You can get a brand new Standard Horizon unit for under $400:

http://www.anchorexpress.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CP180I&CartID=3

A C-Map card for the west coast is another $100.

The unit has NMEA in and out so you can probably interface it to your other units.

If you are interested, Standard Horizon has an emulator that you can download to your PC so you can play with the unit before you buy it, learn how it works, etc.

My last point, it isn't really necessary to interface all your instruments. Since you have wind and depth, why do you need the chartplotter to receiver that information? Same with the autopilot. If you want to navigate to a specific point, use the chartplotter to get the heading, put the boat on that heading and then engage the AP. Monitor it every now and then and adjust as necessary. It's simple to do.

One thing I would definitely buy and interface is a VHF radio with DSC.

Good luck,
Barry

Norden Guy · Mar 1, 2010

I have a Lowrance 3500c used for only one season that I would sell cheap but it would make a better dinghy anchor. When it quit working I attempted to get help from Lowrance but their support does not exist. Their local dealers are embarassed and will probably quit selling the brand. After months of frustration, to lower my blood pressure, I gave up and bought another brand (Standard Horizon). Buy anything but a Lowrance.

sailingdog · Mar 1, 2010

I'd point out that the Chartplotter I referred you to up in Post #4 is far less expensive and comes with the US Coastal charts all pre-loaded. It is only $425 or so vs. the $460 for the Standard Horizon with charts.

sailingdog · Mar 1, 2010

Yes, but the Standard Horizon requires that you buy charts for $100... the Garmin has the charts pre-loaded. That's a big difference. One other major point between the two units. IIRC, the Garmin can display AIS data, the Standard Horizon can not. They both have 5" screens, but one is vertical, the other horizontal. The Garmin comes with the sounder, which is an option on the Standard Horizon.

I had the 192C, which was basically the model the 498C was descended from. It was great as units go and if I didn't get a great deal on the 3205C, I'd still have it. I sold it to a good friend for his boat. The internal antenna works just fine. It even worked in the cabin, as I had the GPS mounted on a swing arm and setup so that I could use it both in the cockpit underway and in the nav station when sitting at anchor.

I'd point out that the user interface and software on the Garmin is probably easier to use than that on the Standard Horizon. There is a reason Garmin has such a large portion of the GPS market.

wufibugs said:
I had looked at both, Sail. The refurb Garmin is $425 and the Horizon is $361. I am doing some research, but I think you are correct that both are probably better options that the ebay item despite the latter's larger screen. One of comments on a test of the Horizon, which is probably applicable to all 5" screens, was that things can get pretty crowded. The Garmin & the Horizon seem comparable in features, though I will have to be a little more familiar with mapping software and check the many posts on that topic before I can judge which is better. Garmin has a very good reputation, while Horizon seems to be getting decent review.

I also meant to ask about internal vs. external antennas. Is an external necessary only for blue water cruising?

An Affordable Chartplotter Option?

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