Navionics, or C-map, for South Pacific?

[Meridian]

We're outfitting our boat for an extended trip from the West Coast of the US to the South Pacific. I've decided to install a Furuno NavNet radar/ plotter, but need to decide which nav software to spec for it. Furuno offers either Navionics (same as Ray Marine specs, AFAIK), OR C-map.
Does anyone have updated knowledge on which software would be better-suited for this trip? Coverage, detail accuracy, recent data, etc.
As a more general question, I'm soliciting opinions on location for the plotter...helm, or under the dodger/ at the C-way. Both have pro's and con's...
Last, thoughts on the usefulness of a repeater at the nav station for radar/ plotter (no money in the budget for a redundant system down below, merely a linked LCD screen that slaves off the mother display).
Thanks...
John

[Vasco]

Meridian,

On the question of acccuracy, unfortunately it can only be determined by being there so you should only accept the views of users who have been there and used the charts extensively. As an example I have been corresponding with Navionics over the past month about geo-referencing errors in their Bahamas charts. They now tell me they have "updated" the chip (covers Charleston to Turks & Caicos) but cannot or will not tell me if the errors I listed have been corrected. The only way I'll ever know is to shell out a few hundred dollars and buy the latest chip. I'm reluctant to do this as I might end up with the same inaccurate charts.

On the question of placement I prefer the helm. I thought it would be a bit of a problem for trip planning as the Raymarine C80 I have will not take a repeater but it has not turned out that way. Wherever you place it, remember that you will often be playing with the buttons and knobs, changing scales, getting info etc., so it has to be placed conveniently.

Good luck on your voyage.

[Meridian]

Thanks, Vasco.
Anyone else? Bueller??

[Michaele]

I used C-Map the Russian' version on the East Coast USA - in the Caribbean to Panama. After that in the South Pacific. In the areas where the Charting has been done by Satellite it is very good. In the south Pacific there are quite large areas where the charting is based on very old observations and can be way way out. The same of course[is true of the latest corrected paper charts... Certainly in the Caribbean which is well charted C-Map is good. do not know about the others.

The one big difference with long distance cruising that unless you have a lot of crew you will hardly have anyone on the helm most of the time. Tweak the self steering gear now then, but mainly sit comfortably in the cockpit.. There are however times when I would dearly love to be able to see the radar from behind the wheel...

for what all that is worth..
fair winds
Michael