Chart Plotters, Are They So Like Yesterday?

[lorenzo b]

A friends' C80 chart plotter gave up the ghost two days ago and we are looking at replacements. I run an E120 integrated system that ran me a good 10k to set up but use an iPad that has exactly the same charts as a backup. How long before we see a complete wireless system with radar and depth sounder on an iPad or similar cheap platform? Do we need these wildly expensive hard wired setups any more?

[AnchorageGuy]

Only if you want to get safely to where you want to be. Chuck

[belizesailor]

Long raging debate on this subject still in progress right here on CF

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ps-100488.html

[lorenzo b]

Thanks for the info on the thread, I passed it on to my buddy and he's off to Panama City tomorrow to see what he can put together. If he can do a quick fix on his burned out screen I'm sure he will go that route. He does the loop from the San Blas to Providencia to Bocas, he knows the harbors, and it's mostly open water, so he can probably get by with an iPad setup.

[David M]

The problem with tablets is that they are not ruggedized for the marine environment nor are they bright enough for direct sunlight. The size of the screen is also limited, so for some it might be fine in that respect but it may not work for others who want a larger screen. They do work fine below deck or topside with a waterproof case but kept in the shade.

But yeah, developers are going to start making more and more nav related features for tablets and create some real competition for the very expensive proprietary integrated nav systems. Right now Furuno, Raymarine, Garmin and Simrad have it pretty good.

Hopefully one day there will be a 10 inch tablet that is 1000 nits, is waterproof and costs under $500.

Competition is a good thing.

[jeroenimo]

Originally Posted by David M

Hopefully one day there will be a 10 inch tablet that is 1000 nits, is waterproof and costs under $500.

Competition is a good thing.

I've found a screen that is that size and has 1000nits:

TFT-LCD-Monitor Sunlight Readable Inelmatic it can be HDMI/VGA/DVI and has a very low power consumption and has touch! I have not received mine yet, but it looks very promising to me.

[Caracal]

Here are some ideas, although I feel I should post it in the ipad-thread:

https://www.google.dk/search?q=Sunli...ient=firefox-a

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

Thanks for the info on the thread, I passed it on to my buddy and he's off to Panama City tomorrow to see what he can put together. If he can do a quick fix on his burned out screen I'm sure he will go that route. He does the loop from the San Blas to Providencia to Bocas, he knows the harbors, and it's mostly open water, so he can probably get by with an iPad setup.

Hmmm...is your buddy's boat named "Nilaya" (sp?) ?

[rebel heart]

If you know a given waterway like the back of your hand you can get by with a "not for navigation" restaurant table chart. If it's new water you should have real tools with solid track records spanning decades.

I have a great tablet. I use it for watching movies and taking into town.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by jeroenimo

I've found a screen that is that size and has 1000nits...

Yeah, but how much did you pay for it? I'm betting a whole lot more than $500.

[jeroenimo]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Yeah, but how much did you pay for it? I'm betting a whole lot more than $500.

500€ for the screen with shipping included.

Bargain! Resellers here in nl sell the same screen for 700€ or more.

I have installed it, and I'm very happy with it.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

A friends' C80 chart plotter gave up the ghost two days ago and we are looking at replacements. I run an E120 integrated system that ran me a good 10k to set up but use an iPad that has exactly the same charts as a backup. How long before we see a complete wireless system with radar and depth sounder on an iPad or similar cheap platform? Do we need these wildly expensive hard wired setups any more?

C70's had a screen problem... make sure it's not a quick fix first!

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ues-96458.html

[Auzano]

I brought my 72 foot ketch from the east coast to the Caribbean, Panama to Mexico, then north to California to Victoria BC last Spring and summer.

Primary chart plotter was aFuruno nav net. I purchased a 600 dollar Garmin as a backup. I used my iPad first with Isailor then I discovered INavx in Antigua from another Captain. Though we entered the way points in all three, we only really used the iPad with INavx to navigate. Furuno for radar and Garmin just because it was their.

In September the Furuno died from water corrosion. Leak in the roller ball and card slot. My iPad survived the whole trip without a waterproof case in an open cockpit.

Im deciding what to do I can buy several iPads and life box cases for the coat of a good chart plotter. Haven't figured out how to integrate iPad with sounder or Radar.

I want a fully inter

grated system at my main helm station, secondary helm station and inside Nav station.

My auto pilot is a simrad

Who know what I should do??