How Much Did You Spend on Navigation?

[donradcliffe]

The amount you spend on navigation depends a lot on where you intend to navigate. There are about 30,000 charts available for the world, and if you want original paper charts plan on spending about $30 per chart.

[Weyalan]

I have the following set-up
1. Navman Tracker 5507 chart plotter (640x480 color display) $700
2. C-Map chart card - Australia wide $220
3. NASA Clipper GPS receiver $200

The plotter (and C-map card) is mounted at the chart table. The GPS repeater is located in the cockpit (above the companionway).

[defjef]

Who keeps track of this? I spent hundreds on paper charts, the same on digital charts and over the years a loran or two, and several GPS including one of the first Trimble NavTracs which cost me something like 5K or more at the time and it had NO CHARTS!

By comparison the the Raymarine C80 and the radar was comparitively cheap at something like $2,500 IRRC. But then there's the B&G package, the old Vigil RM radar and a SatNav the maker of which I can't recall. If I had to purchase all this stuff at once I could buy a niice boat for what this cost me. And then there's my little fav Garmin Ique3600 at about $500 IRRC. I am not counting a Wfax or the SSB which are tools for navigation.

But it was money well spent (at the time) and provided me with the information to get from here to there safely. And I have a davis Sextant and some schooling in navigation as well.

[Inkwell]

I use a new C120 Raymarine. No complaints. Also have GPSNAVX on a MacBook Pro as backup. The C120 has a large screen and you can select the size of the chart, and combine the chart with radar, wind, and other data. Very easy to see in sun or at night.

[LtBrett]

I'll second a vote for Lowrance. Big, bright displays, all Nema 2000, rather cheap. I had an open checkbook when I re-did my electronics and chose Lowrance based on features and performance. The fact that I spent far less than I would have for a comparable Ray or Garmin was a bonus. I think my whole nav suite with 2 chartplotters, fishfinder, radar, autopilot, and new engine instrumentation was under 6 boat bucks.

Brett

[nautical62]

On one trip, I navigated my way back to Florida from the Bahamas using nothing but a hand held orienteering compass and chart. The compass cost me about $7. The chart was about $20. I must confess, I had a basic $100 handheld GPS as a back up had I needed it.

I now have a chartplotter that I really like, but for me it's been a good lesson in the often drastic difference in price between what gets the job done and what gets the job done conveniently.

[GreatKetch]

I voted for 0-500 but didn't include the cost of paper charts. I also have a computer charting program, but it is freeware and I really don't use it underway at all.

My gear: The simplest non-plotting gps, a used sextant, a used mechanical log. Maybe I would have bumped up over 500 if I included the depthsounder, hand-bearing compass and mechanical pencils.

Haven't every seen the need for anything more no matter where I go in the world.

In case anyone is wondering, this IS my dream system, I want nothing more. Give me $10,000 and I'd spend it for another year's supply in the cruising kitty NOT on more toys for the helmstation!!!!!!!

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by knottybuoyz

we met a couple two years ago aboard a beautiful Flemming 55. IIRC he said he added about $50K in nav equipment, gizmos and doodads. I especially liked the wireless remote control for the engines & thrusters.

I am after that look of the big screen for my internal helm, but spending a lot less money.

A boat I delivered a while back had just a head unit GPS, buttons only and a cheap but large LCD which the owner reckoned cost about $1000 in total.

Cant remember the brand though.

Pic here

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...5&d=1215497579

Dave

[sthneed]

I just got the boat. It came with a binnacle mounted compass, a handheld bearing compass and Garmin handheld GPS worth about $150.

I bought an IBM thinkpad on ebay for $300. They're cheap and the manuals are available online. I've had a few so I have lots of spare parts around.

I bought 3 CD's of chart software on ebay. Total cost $45 for 2 disks of rastor charts, 1 of vector. They came with some free software. Downloaded some nav software demo versions and hacked versions off isohunt.

Put it all together and I have 3 functional software nav systems that run on the laptop and work with the GPS.

I've also got a sprint modem for internet access via Sprint's cell network. It has a built in GPS so it functions as a backup GPS on the laptop.

I plan to buy paper charts as I need them as well as a sextant.

The laptop works good but its kind of a pain to run below to check it (display too dim in sun).

Might spring for a chart plotter but I'm holding off for now. I love the buttons and colored lights but the sensible part of me says I'm better off spending the $ on paper charts or the kitty.

[Zephyr's Aura]

I have 3 hand held GPS. Two of which can be connected to my laptop. On the laptop I use SeaClear II. SeaClear has worked very well for me and the price is right. All of the charts for the USA, Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are free. I purchased charts for Argentina and Uruguay for $50.00. I'm not sure about prices for other areas. I also have a sextant and paper charts.

Tim