Cameron House Marina Members' Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.



 
HomeLatest imagesSearchRegisterLog in

 

 Chart Plotters

Go down 
+3
anjo
Silver Snare
honeybee
7 posters
AuthorMessage
honeybee




Posts : 73
Join date : 2009-07-08
Location : Bannockburn, Stirling

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeWed Jan 27, 2010 1:54 pm

Are they any good for Loch Lomond, if so which models do I need to look at ? I have read I need to get one that takes the C- map cartridge

What do people have and how accurate are they ?

Do they all have GPS built in and be connected straight to the VHF ?



Chris
Back to top Go down
Silver Snare

Silver Snare


Posts : 28
Join date : 2009-07-07

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeWed Jan 27, 2010 3:44 pm

Hi,

They are, in my opinion, next to no good at all for loch lomond. They are an excellent gadget for telling you depth/speed/miles covered, but chart wise they are not so good. I have a garmin gps 450s which is a fish finder combined with a chart plotter. this model is excellent for fish finding and depth but next to useless on loch lomond for chart plotting.
Now on the other hand, my father has the same model (except the 550s, bigger screen) on his princess 38 flybridge in the clyde. It is excellent in these crcumstances and also gives the option of flybridge repeater.

Hope this helps (they do look fancy though !)
Back to top Go down
anjo

anjo


Posts : 244
Join date : 2009-06-28

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeThu Jan 28, 2010 11:45 am

Chris,

I use a Navman 5500 which takes the c-map chart. The chart is accurate for the south end of the loch, but once north of Tarbert it is inaccurate as it will place you on the west side of the loch when cruising on the east side. To correct this you have to input known GPS co-ordinates to make the correction.

The Navman and Northstar are the same company, but with the advantage that you can use the smartcraft setup and display all you engines parameters on the display including fuel usage and performance. As Navman/Northstar were part of Brunswick group which also owned Mercruiser.

Expect to pay alot of dosh as they are not cheap. You will find them on Ebay as I think a chap in Orkney does them for a good price. Charts can be had from about £70 upwards.
Back to top Go down
honeybee




Posts : 73
Join date : 2009-07-08
Location : Bannockburn, Stirling

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeThu Jan 28, 2010 12:14 pm

John,

Is this the bad boy ?

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/4382/navman-tracker-5500-+-antenna

Is all antenna built in or would I need a seperate onel fitted ?

Can it be flush mounted ?

Are you at the marina this saturday that you could show me the system ?

Is this the place your talking about http://www.nmgps.co.uk/

Chris
Back to top Go down
Silver Snare

Silver Snare


Posts : 28
Join date : 2009-07-07

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeThu Jan 28, 2010 2:45 pm

Hi,

I did a bit of research before buying my Garmin, I chose this over the navman because it's antenna was built in and came with a flush mount kit. It also has the benifit of a built in fish finder and lovely 3D graphics showing you lots of fancy screens.

Allan
Back to top Go down
Silver Snare

Silver Snare


Posts : 28
Join date : 2009-07-07

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeThu Jan 28, 2010 2:47 pm

Forgot to add that all the detailed charts for the uk and ireland are built in, meaning you don't need to spend a fortune on chart cards (if you put te boat in the sea)
Back to top Go down
Jumpy07

Jumpy07


Posts : 91
Join date : 2009-08-20
Location : Balloch

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeThu Jan 28, 2010 4:14 pm

I am told the new c-map charts have the issue sorted at the North end of the Loch...

There is a new chart due out based on the sonar survey last year..

http://news.scotsman.com/lochlomondnationalpark/Sonar-survey-reveals-the-Loch.4887781.jp

Another options is to use a small laptop with scanned chart of the Loch (I have done this), works pretty well. I use Shipplotter as it works for AIS as well.. but you can also use lots of others.. all you need to do when you have scanned the chart is calibrate it.


CJ
Back to top Go down
http://www.boatlochlomond.com
thecarboss

thecarboss


Posts : 171
Join date : 2009-07-06
Location : Cumbernauld

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeFri Jan 29, 2010 1:52 am

IMO ........there is no need for any fancy nav aids on the loch other than the map available from the info centre that has all the hazards and depths marked on it. The loch is very deep for an inland waterway and there is never a point where you cannot see the shore. Using an aid to find your position will discourage people from looking out and learning the loch and its shoreline.
The best way to learn is to get out there and look, cruise the loch and when approaching a shore or island check the map for a channel and hazards. Learn what the markers are telling you from their colour etc.
Cruising the loch is all about experience, once you have had you boat through a narrow channel or approached the shore via a previous route then you know that next time it will be safe and can rely less on the map ( Obviously taking into account the current water level).
I do however understand why some want to have fishfinders but to start relying on something that can switch off itself could be dangerous.

Always have your map in the cockpit where you can reach it and you won't go far wrong.
Back to top Go down
http://www.elitemotorcompany.com
Silver Snare

Silver Snare


Posts : 28
Join date : 2009-07-07

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeFri Jan 29, 2010 1:55 am

Well Said !
Back to top Go down
Jumpy07

Jumpy07


Posts : 91
Join date : 2009-08-20
Location : Balloch

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeFri Jan 29, 2010 2:03 am

I don't disagree but at night and in poor vis coming back to your berth / anchorage they can be a god send.

CJ
Back to top Go down
http://www.boatlochlomond.com
anjo

anjo


Posts : 244
Join date : 2009-06-28

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeFri Jan 29, 2010 4:29 am

honeybee wrote:
John,

Is this the bad boy ?

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/4382/navman-tracker-5500-+-antenna

Is all antenna built in or would I need a seperate onel fitted ?

Can it be flush mounted ?

Are you at the marina this saturday that you could show me the system ?

Is this the place your talking about http://www.nmgps.co.uk/

Chris

Chris,

The Navman 5500i has the built in GPS , but can not be flush mounted. The 5500 has the external antenna. I will be staying at the marina for the weekend so if you are down just nip round and I will give a demo. I had the Garmin on the last boat and yes it does come with a global map, but you still have to buy charts and no charts are available for Loch Lomond for Garmin units and Raymarine. Some of the latest Garmin units have the ability to use the Google earth maps, but this may be download.

Advantage of the Navman is that it is Smartcraft compatible, so you can see all the engine data from your Mercruiser plus fuel consumption. All you need is an interface to hook up the engine management to the Navman. The Garmin unit you cannot do this with the Mercruiser.

I currently have a mixture onboard with the full Raymarine navigation/ auto pilot system displayed via an E80 display and use the Navman c-map chart for the Loch, especially at night.
Back to top Go down
Silver Snare

Silver Snare


Posts : 28
Join date : 2009-07-07

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeFri Jan 29, 2010 9:32 am

John,

The garmin 450s and 550s have the charts built in, not just the basic outlay, but the full admiralty detail.
Back to top Go down
anjo

anjo


Posts : 244
Join date : 2009-06-28

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeFri Jan 29, 2010 12:35 pm

Garmin 450 and 550 do come with the charts preloaded, but do they have the admiralty chart for Loch Lomond as I remeber from the Garmin I had the UK chart for west of scotland, but the loch was just an outline with little detail of marker buoys and islands. The advantage of Chris using an Navman/Northstar is that it will interface with his engine management system using the smartcraft interface. I do not think the Garmin can interface with Mercruiser, but assume Garmin will interface with Volvo and Yanmar as does Raymarine E80 and E120
Back to top Go down
Mickross2000

Mickross2000


Posts : 57
Join date : 2009-07-06
Location : Hamilton

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeFri Jan 29, 2010 1:21 pm

Hi all,

I use a Cobra MC 600CX attached to my marine radio. From my opinion it is excellent. Accurate, (comparing to the usual admaralty maps). Cost effective and reasonably well featured.

I would heartily recommend them if you want more information , pm me and I can send you electronic versions of the manual for it for you to look at
Back to top Go down
kennyh

kennyh


Posts : 34
Join date : 2009-07-06
Location : Johnstone

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeMon Feb 01, 2010 12:06 pm

Chris

I've a Northstar 567 which is also connected to the engine via a Smartcraft interface which gives me engine temperature, rpm, voltage, and more importantly fuel flow ( mpg, gph, range etc) along with a fuel flow curve which means you can save a good bit on you fuel usage. For example I now know that I use the same amount of fuel going at 7mph as I do at 35mph!

I'll let you have a look next your up

cheers
Kenny
Back to top Go down
anjo

anjo


Posts : 244
Join date : 2009-06-28

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeMon Feb 01, 2010 11:35 pm

Kenny,

That is the advantage with the Northstar/Navman chart plotters is that they do interface with the Engine management on Mercruisers and Mercury.

The trouble with chartplotters is that their is so many on the market to choose from.
Back to top Go down
Jumpy07

Jumpy07


Posts : 91
Join date : 2009-08-20
Location : Balloch

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeThu Feb 04, 2010 11:01 am

Found these on ebay.. new .. old stock..

Navman Mono Chartplotter with antenna's


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Navman-5110-Mono-Chart-Plotter_W0QQitemZ230431084919QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM?hash=item35a6c35177

£145+ Postage.. sounds like a good cheap chart plotter for the Loch.., you just need a C-MAP Local chart to go with it

CJ
Back to top Go down
http://www.boatlochlomond.com
anjo

anjo


Posts : 244
Join date : 2009-06-28

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeThu Feb 04, 2010 12:21 pm

Back to top Go down
honeybee




Posts : 73
Join date : 2009-07-08
Location : Bannockburn, Stirling

Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitimeFri Feb 05, 2010 11:13 am

Thanks for all the reply's - I think I will be looking at a northstar/navman, just need to decide on the model now.


Chris
Back to top Go down
Sponsored content





Chart Plotters Empty
PostSubject: Re: Chart Plotters   Chart Plotters Icon_minitime

Back to top Go down
 
Chart Plotters
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Cameron House Marina Members' Forum :: The Boat Yard-
Jump to: