Best basic chart plotter

[RaymondR]

I just fired up OpenCPN on my tablet, pressed the three dot thingy in the upper right corner and pressed Mark Man Overboard and MAN OVERBOARD at 23;42;27 popped up at the vessel position.

I also put it in a ziplok and found the touch screen works through the ziplok. You can also buy water proof enclosure for your tablet at camping shops.

A 10" tablet has far more utility than a gps with a 5' screen.

[Donnybrook]

For basic functionality I believe all chart plotters are similar and it comes down to personal preference. Decide on minimum needs such as screen size and if you need NMEA 2000 then shop for price. Look for refurbished or closeout sales.

I did the same and ended up with a Garmin Echochart 73sv. Net price was less than $300 after I sold the side scan transducer that came with it.

It'll last a long time based on my experience with Garmin and other marine electronics. It does everything I need. The only reason I see replacing it would be to add radar.

I also have a Windows tablet at the nav table running OpenCPN as others suggested, but for simplicity nothing beats having a dedicated water proof device at the helm you just power up and use. No patches with unplanned restarts, user ID password problems and other issues you have with a computer that may not be regularly used.

[sv_pelagia]

Agree with suggestion of:

- Android tablet
- OpenCPN
- If cruising USA: FREE official charts from NOAA (with updates)
- Cruising elsewhere: many options, including OpenCharts oesenc

OpenCPN is easy and way more functional than simple chartplotter or Navionics

Navionics charts sometimes have missing data (at least, here in Canada), definitely have missing/erroneus tides/currents (here in Canada) and very clunky for making waypoints, routes, transferring between other systems, etc. Oh, and you have to pay for Navionics.

[sainted]

Consider one of Raymarine's Element Series of plotters. They don't have touch screens, but are substantially cheaper than ones that do. Otherwise, they have the same capabilities as their other chart plotters.

I don't care for iPads for use in the weather. In my experience, the touch screens don't work when wet.

[mikecambrai]

I also wanted a cheap chart plotter and opted for the OMWA You get so much more for your money and the GPS is just a puck attached to the rear of the unit. Simplicity itself.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by ChrisJHC

We need to replace our old, basic, mounted GPS.
It makes sense to replace it with a basic chart plotter.
Don’t need the sonar/fish finder capabilities they all seem to promote.

Also, low power usage would be great.

Main area required is east coast Australia.

Any thoughts?

I use a 15" laptop (VELCRO'd to the desk) with charts at the nav station for planning and its protection. I then transfer the route to my Garmin handheld which will be positioned at the helm. I also have a Vesper Marine Watchmate 850 AIS that provides both GPS and AIS targets to the laptop. This combination got to Hawaii and Alaska without a problem.

Use the chart software of your choice, I use Rose Point Coastal Explorer.

Good Luck.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[Paul Kelly]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

How basic do you want? I've got a Garmin 152H I no longer need (I used it below as a backup, anchor alarm and GPS feed for the VHF). It's a chartplotter, but not one that uses maps. I've also got the home made cable to allow uploading of routes from OpenCPN via a serial port on a PC



Other than that, check out some of the basic 5" screen chartplotters used on small trailer boats. For some crazy reason, chartplotter price goes through the stratosphere as screen size increases. I've found CH Smith in Melbourne can have some pretty good deals.

With the greatest of respect the Garmin GPS 152H is an excellent, if old, GPS system but I would NOT describe it as a chart plotter.

I think your possible routes include:

1. A dedicated chart plotter – small screen 5” – 7” and colour but quite expensive $1,100 - $1,500 AUD ish. Advantage is they are likely to be waterproof and will be wired into whatever battery system you have. So far fewer power issues. But they are also not portable! So most passage planning etc has to be done on the boat.

2. An iPad with iSailor – really good vector charts. The software is free and the charts for Australia and New Zealand are $63 AUD with smaller areas at $17.50 AUD each. The only drawback with this is that iPads are quite expensive and also battery reliant, though the newer models hold their charge much better than the older models. You need to get an iPad with a cellular chip for the inbuilt GPS (not reliant on a mobile signal). An iPad is also portable, so you can have it on deck if conditions permit or take it home and plan from there.

3. A cheaper Android tablet or touchscreen laptop (eg Microsoft Surface) with dedicated software and charts. A specialist commercial UK chart company, Meridian Chartware do an excellent dedicated tablet, plotter and chart package for about $600 AUD. That price is with UK Raster charts, but Meridian work worldwide and I am sure they could quote you for Australian charts. They also sell a GPS dongle for about $28 AUD to connect to the plotter and GPS. You can find more here: www.Meridian-chartware.co.uk A laptop or tablet is also portable, so you can have it on deck if conditions permit or take it home and passage plan from there.

Although I have a dedicated Chart plotter (Raymarine E7) and an iPad with iSailor, I am also looking at the Meridian package, probably with a second hand Microsoft Surface, as I am not crazy about the Navionics Charts on my E7, they are quite expensive and I reckon I may get better value from a Meridian package with the bonus of an on board computer for any office work I have to do whilst on passage.

Hope this helps.

[nortonscove]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

I just fired up OpenCPN on my tablet, pressed the three dot thingy in the upper right corner and pressed Mark Man Overboard and MAN OVERBOARD at 23;42;27 popped up at the vessel position.

I also put it in a ziplok and found the touch screen works through the ziplok. You can also buy water proof enclosure for your tablet at camping shops.

A 10" tablet has far more utility than a gps with a 5' screen.

You're not reading the part that says it will be used by a lot of different people. It is my experience that among lots there's those that sit below average in common sense and that is a recipe for the ruination of your set up. Go with a basic GPS by any reputable manufacturer and you'll not be disappointed. Mine is ten years old and sits on the binnacle six months at a time. Never failed me and doesn't need waterproof covers that will ultimately drive you nuts and obscure your vision.

[George DuBose]

All you guys pimping Garmin...

I had to buy a Garmin handheld GPS when my Raymarine C120 lost the ship's position. Turned out it was a dead battery in the antenna.

The Garmin handheld model I bought is designed UPSIDE DOWN, the keys are at top of the front panel and the screen is on the bottom. The wrist strap allows one to hand the GPS upside down...

And then the charts for the Baltic and North Sea were over 400 euros and I would have had to wait 3 days for the delivery to the store. No possibility to download?

I now consider Garmin to be a four letter word. I don't think their products are designed by anyone who knows anything about sailing from a practical viewpoint.

[George DuBose]

Originally Posted by sainted

Consider one of Raymarine's Element Series of plotters. They don't have touch screens, but are substantially cheaper than ones that do. Otherwise, they have the same capabilities as their other chart plotters.

I don't care for iPads for use in the weather. In my experience, the touch screens don't work when wet.

I recently replaced my C120 with an Element MFD and it DOES NOT have the same features as my C120, in fact quite a few less features that I will have to learn to live without.

No range rings for starters...

[nortonscove]

First question is what type boat and where does it sit? I have a sailboat with no dodger or bikini. That's the way I like it. I removed those things after purchase. If it is an enclosed area any of the mentioned ways will do. That said I'm a quarter of a century into launching and lifting fishing boats and the number one complaint is that the limited lifespan and reliability of laptops and other home electronics on a boat so my belief is that the little more expense is only at the front end of the purchase and will soon make up the difference in a few years.

[CarlF]

The Garmin interface is by far the easiest to figure out without a manual. And will have no problem in a very wet cockpit or bright sun.

If you are really trying to keep the cost down - I'd look at the 6" Echomap with buttons instead of touch. The 4" screen is even cheaper but pretty hard to read it's so small. Very easy to install yourself.

It has more features than you care about but there's not much market for barebones chartplotters because the extra features are mostly done in software these days.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/69...n/010-02331-00

It also has wifi built in which lets you connect to other devices by using the Garmin free app.

Wait until after the US February boat shows when Garmin usually releases the new year models and discounts the old ones.

[Squanderbucks]

Just curious. What exactly is a chsrtplotter with no charts or mapping?
I thought by definition a chartplotter had to have a map or chart to plot on?

Back in the day I has LORAN with no chartplotter , a GPS with no charts but never had a chartplotter with no charts.

Go with Garmin. Easy interface. Also if the people come from other boats they likely know how to use a Garmin

If outside in a wet environment mount it in a box with screen exposed but back enclosed. Name your one or buy a “pod”. It will pay for itself. Power cords are notorious for the positive pin corroding out if exposed at all. I know they have o-rings but the box keeps tinkerers from playing with the wires when they need to “fix” something.

.

[anacapaisland42]

Have a look at old laptop with ZULU good Aussie program
Bill in Canada

Originally Posted by ChrisJHC

We need to replace our old, basic, mounted GPS.
It makes sense to replace it with a basic chart plotter.
Don’t need the sonar/fish finder capabilities they all seem to promote.

Also, low power usage would be great.

Main area required is east coast Australia.

Any thoughts?

[geoff3nebel]

Go for any ONWA basic chart plotter. They range from 5”, 7”, 9” and 12” screens. They also offer them with built in class B AIS transceivers. I have a 7” screen with AIS and it’s a great bit of kit