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01-05-2015, 14:12
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: cruising
Boat: 1979 islander 32 tall rig
Posts: 29
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budget chart plotter
I have sailed all over the caribbean with a compass and chart. I am now thinking of buying a chart plotter but am on a social security budget.
I read that paper charts are no longer updated so I am looking for suggestions for buying a budget model I can use on my Islander 32. I have until August when hurricane season is over and the areas I will travel in first is the Gulf of Mexico, Florida and the Bahamas. I am presently on the Tenn Tom waterway inland, Alabama.
I will begin searching here and craigslist for one but have no idea what to look for yet.
Thanks all.
Seagypsey
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01-05-2015, 14:19
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Grenada
Boat: Fortuna Island Spirit 40
Posts: 2,291
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Re: budget chart plotter
Based on your previous background i would buy a Windows tablet and use OpenCPN. You will get a dual use device at a fraction of the cost.
PM me and i can help you with the charts.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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01-05-2015, 14:51
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: daytona beach florida
Boat: csy 37
Posts: 2,847
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Re: budget chart plotter
If you have an android tablet NOAA is giving away a free chartplotter program and all the free USA charts you could want, with the latest updates. No Bahamas charts.
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Take two at low eight
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01-05-2015, 14:55
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: cruising
Boat: 1979 islander 32 tall rig
Posts: 29
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Re: budget chart plotter
Thanks but alas no android. I am trying to figure out how to edit my post because I have an open cockpit sailboat and need something I can mount on the pedestal and water resistant.
Thanks though.
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01-05-2015, 15:05
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Long Beach, CA
Boat: Tayana Vancouver 42
Posts: 2,284
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Re: budget chart plotter
An iPad in a LifeProof case may be a good option. It has some drawbacks like being rare to read in direct sunlight but that's easy to solve with shade from a Bimini or even a big hat. There are mounts for your pedestal or use it hand held. INavX is a good and inexpensive app.
S/V B'Shert
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01-05-2015, 17:10
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: daytona beach florida
Boat: csy 37
Posts: 2,847
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Re: budget chart plotter
Quote:
Originally Posted by catshopper
Thanks but alas no android. I am trying to figure out how to edit my post because I have an open cockpit sailboat and need something I can mount on the pedestal and water resistant.
Thanks though.
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Thats too bad. There are some good buys in quality android tablets right now which have their own built in gps. Just saw the Samsung Galaxy 3 with 7" screen for $100. Thats better than the android I'm using. It's probably a closeout but it should work fine.
__________________
Take two at low eight
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01-05-2015, 18:56
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#7
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Gone sailing! Please don't tell our adult kids where we are!
Boat: Downeaster 38
Posts: 297
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Re: budget chart plotter
Catshopper,
Just wanted to say "good on ya" for sailing the old school way all this time!
Sooner or later, some bureaucrat will make it illegal to sail anywhere without 10k worth of electronics on board, "for our own good".
Cheers!
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01-05-2015, 19:10
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#8
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Eternal Member

Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Australia
Boat: Lagoon 400
Posts: 3,650
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Re: budget chart plotter
Cats you don't say why you want a plotter, except that you're concerned charts won't be updated. If your happy with going below to chart and plot your course then you will probably find an iPad with navionics or laptop with opencpn the quickest cheapest fixes.
If you are wanting to add functionality like AIS, radar, steering to waypoints etc then a fixed plotter might be the better but more expensive option.
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01-05-2015, 19:15
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: puɐןsuǝǝnb 'ʎɐʞɔɐɯ
Boat: Nantucket Island 33
Posts: 3,694
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Re: budget chart plotter
You can buy used Panasonic toughbooks or toughpads and the like fairly cheap. For new, Google my tablet model. It's fine for mounting at the helm in weather as it's made to be used in up to one metre depth of pool water so is water resistant enough.
Sent from my SGP521 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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01-05-2015, 19:27
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On board
Boat: Van de Stadt 50'
Posts: 1,314
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Re: budget chart plotter
OpenCPN on a Tablet, or laptop, and it does AIS and RADAR and Steering, and you are not owned by a fruit.
Really its not only the cheapest option but it is one of the best.
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01-05-2015, 19:29
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Malaysia, Thailand
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 430
Posts: 860
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Re: budget chart plotter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tayana42
An iPad in a LifeProof case may be a good option. It has some drawbacks like being rare to read in direct sunlight but that's easy to solve with shade from a Bimini or even a big hat. There are mounts for your pedestal or use it hand held. INavX is a good and inexpensive app.
S/V B'Shert
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I also have iPad and Lifeproof waterproof case and like the combo, altho I had some difficulty in finding a proper mount being here in the third world.
Re: sunlight; iPad is not as good as marine chartplotters in this respect but I believe it has the brightest screen of any tablet device out there. When I bought mine I compare a lot of devices setting them at full brightness and iPad was the best. If only the waterproof Sony had been brighter I would have bought that one but is was much less bright.
Anyone using OpenCPN pc with a waterproof display in the outside cockpit? Any issues or just asking for trouble?
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01-05-2015, 20:52
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: puɐןsuǝǝnb 'ʎɐʞɔɐɯ
Boat: Nantucket Island 33
Posts: 3,694
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Re: budget chart plotter
Reflective screens and capacitive touch screens are always an issue outdoors. I have a toughbook with daylight screen that works fine outdoors. The main problem is that it loses watersealing at the power socket when the lead is plugged in because the rubber sealing flap for the socket cannot be used.
Sent from my SGP521 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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01-05-2015, 20:56
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: San Diego
Boat: Cascade 36
Posts: 252
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Re: budget chart plotter
You can occasionally find a Zeus T7 on ebay or craiglist for around $400. Maybe less maybe more....
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02-05-2015, 07:14
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: cruising
Boat: 1979 islander 32 tall rig
Posts: 29
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Re: budget chart plotter
Quote:
Originally Posted by monte
Cats you don't say why you want a plotter, except that you're concerned charts won't be updated. If your happy with going below to chart and plot your course then you will probably find an iPad with navionics or laptop with opencpn the quickest cheapest fixes.
If you are wanting to add functionality like AIS, radar, steering to waypoints etc then a fixed plotter might be the better but more expensive option.
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Sorry monte but the title does say budget chart plotter
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02-05-2015, 07:21
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: cruising
Boat: 1979 islander 32 tall rig
Posts: 29
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Re: budget chart plotter
Quote:
Originally Posted by SV Sailfish
Catshopper,
Just wanted to say "good on ya" for sailing the old school way all this time!
Sooner or later, some bureaucrat will make it illegal to sail anywhere without 10k worth of electronics on board, "for our own good".
Cheers!
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Thanks sailfish. The truth of the matter is that back then that is about all we had. Back before LORAN even. Believe or not I was sailing a 90' , 3 master in the Grenadines with one old paper chart and a divers wrist compass.... and no depth sounder.
Aarrrr
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