Backup chart plotter

[Gunni]

The Garmin Map76 is outdated and not supported. But if you have the charts they still work really well. There is a replacement Garmin chartplotter handheld that is also 1)waterproof, 2)shockproof (in other words marinized). We just added the Garmin Map640 which is a marinized version in the Nuvi style. It includes Bluechart for all the US, roadmaps, and has a 6 hour battery. We keep it charging in its cradle at the nav station and bring it on deck for backup. On shore you can use it to navigate to the local restaurants and grocery stores. I consider any laptop, pad, phone, pod to be a toy, too fragile.

 

[kloudie1]

I have on board: Garmin 545 at helm (No longer made, after only 4 years, but still supported) .. an old hand held GPS 12 which is not a chartplotter, and a laptop with a GPS "puck"($30), SeaClearII (free) and the latest NOAA charts (free) loaded to it.. I have paper as well.. I have had to use the old GPS 12 and paper charts a couple of times on other peoples boats.

 

[eliems]

Ipad with a Bad Elf ($99) GPS chip and iSailor Navigation app (free) is a fantastic setup!

see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xjhkzFTsts

You can also hook it up through wireless to your auto-pilot.

 

[gpd955]

After my Garmin 476c and paper I have iNavX on my iPhone. It actually is better than the 476c because the charts (I use NOAA and Navionics) update regularly. It also has integrated AIS that has been accurate and you can send an email of your position to anyone tracking your progress.

Will probably need to replace my Garmin in the next few years so I will be looking for a new primary.

 

[sailor1950]

navigated east coast of nj to annappolis md using I-pad and navimatics. Very easy to use with one had. cannot see with sunglasses on though

 

[Bill1565]

I-pad and navimatics. Very easy to use with one had. cannot see with sunglasses on though

That's good to know. May be a disqualifier. My eyes aren't bad enough for surgery, but I need glasses always and use polaroid bifocals on the boat.

 

[Kestle]

My polarized glasses make it hard to read the iPad in portrait mode, but I can see it fine in landscape mode.

The iPad helps me with the zoom out perspective, and I use the 76c zoomed all the way in. It works or me.

Jeff

 

[Bill Roosa]

Hey Tim R.
An interesting concept. Us the chartploter when the paper chart fails. I am having a hard time getting to the point of understanding the exact situation where a paper chart "fails" though. Should I be checking for corrosion in the power/signal cables? I already know about breaking the LCD screen when I throw it down the companion way onto the cabin sole. Mine seems to be one of the more rugged models as I have bashed it around a LOT and it still displays well. I can not seem to find the circuit breaker or fuse on the panel though. Are those under some hidden magnetic panel on the back page or something? I do have an older model (but keep the software updated from the NTM) which only has the touch display, no buttons to mess with or punch in the wrong order.
I have noted that my model chartbook does not work well in fog however. That is why I have a clock, knot meter, E6 B circular slide rule and love crab pots (perfect indicators of current as you pass by)
I should probably upgrade to a new chart book but mine has all my notes on it and I just can't bear to part the the old girl.
On a related note, how do you use your chart plotter to gather the crew around the table and discuss then next day's destination. The chart plotters I've seen seem to be kinda small for that type of activity and the cables would deter me from even attempting it
Thoughts?

 

[Bill1565]

quote=Kestle;859982]My polarized glasses make it hard to read the iPad in portrait mode, but I can see it fine in landscape mode.f[/quote]

I should have thought of that!! I tip my head sideways to read screens at Walmart, WM and other merchants. Be easier to turn the screen.

 

[Bill1565]

Some nice points, Bill. We have paper charts(maptech) on board and I will gladly purchase all I need to cover the east coast from Miami to Annapolis. We do in fact bring them into the cockpit every afternoon while we listen to the weather and plan the next days run.

I don't know about Tim, but I gave up using them underway years ago. A small charplotter at the helm helps me anticipate the next visual and helps me compensate for any cross track error when out of sight of my next mark. Much handier than big chartbook, plastic envelope, and grease pencil.

We sail to get away from people, so we are always short handed. We don't leave the helm unattended, even on autopilot. Can't afford to spend long periods at the nav station below decks.

 

[JVB]

Toy versus dedicated

Only dedicated units like those from Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine can cut it when you don't have a full time navigator. Get a GPS unit made for marine use so you can have confidence in it working when you need it most. A computer (laptop, iPad, phone, Blackberry, etc.) system is OK in ordinary conditions but not robust enough to count on in challenging conditions.

 

[Bill1565]

Re: Toy versus dedicated

Maybe this thread has gone on too long. Back on page one, the discussion started about a BACKUP to the raymarine A50D I propose to put at the helm in stead of buying Garmin proprietary chips with old data for the trip up the east coast to the chesapeake.

 

[alexco38]

Already use Seaclear on a Laptop at the nav station mainly to receive AIS. My chartplotter can't show AIS.

Got an iPad and use a remote desktop app RDP Lite to connect to the laptop via WiFi. The laptop configured as Internet sharing.

Reason: during the day we can see commercial shipping. But at night you can't really tell if they are coming towards you. The iPad let you have a quick look when the Seaclear app sound the alarm.

We have dodger and Bimini enclosure so rain is less a concern

The set up is mainly for the once a year long distance race including over night

 

[AtlanticAl]

You cant make any sence of young people? you just made me feel about a hundred years old. Last time I sailed out to Bermuda, I had a handheld GPS, a paper chart, and a sextant and tables as a back up. My knowledge of the ICW is limited to Florida, and when i sailed on it, only instrument i used, was the depth sounder, which my eyes were never away from.

 

[Bill1565]

Well, I wimped out. First time. Bought a Garmin 76Cx and a nationwide chip on sale at WM for $250. About $400 cheaper than an Ipad and about $100 cheaper than unlocking 3 reigions of very old charts on my Blue Chart Disc. The object was afterall a backup to my paper charts and helm chart plotter. No sense spending more than needed on back up stuff. Even tho I said I was done with Garmin, and Mary sold our stock, I am confident that the 76Cx will do what we need.