Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 06-01-2023, 07:28   #1
always in motion is the future
 
s/v Jedi's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 18,757
Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

So these chart plotters cost thousands!

The other day I got a smartphone and it turns out it has Google Maps which does navigation just fine! For free!
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.

s/v Jedi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 08:20   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: on our boat cruising the Bahamas and east coast
Boat: 2000 Catalina 470 #058
Posts: 1,296
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

When out of cell range will it still track properly without having downloaded the map area?
__________________
Sailing a Catalina 470; now retired
GreenWave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 08:28   #3
Registered User
 
Bill O's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2015
Boat: Bruce Bingham Christina 49
Posts: 3,328
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by s/v Jedi View Post
So these chart plotters cost thousands!

The other day I got a smartphone and it turns out it has Google Maps which does navigation just fine! For free!

I'm with you that commercial brands of chart plotters cost thousands of dollars, but using opencpn with a good monitor will probably cost less than a top of the line smartphone.

Could be a great backup if within cell range.
__________________
Bill O.
KB3YMH
https://phoenixketch.blogspot.com/
Bill O is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 08:31   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Rochester, NY
Boat: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Posts: 6,190
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

There's definitely some sarcasm in the original post, but in my mind, the biggest advantage to actual chartplotters over other solutions is ease of good systems integration with other components (like radar, AIS, autopilot, depth and wind instruments, etc.) rather than the actual basic "GPS and chart plotting" functionality.
rslifkin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 08:40   #5
always in motion is the future
 
s/v Jedi's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 18,757
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenWave View Post
When out of cell range will it still track properly without having downloaded the map area?
It uses GPS, Glonass and Galileo so worldwide coverage. Maps can be downloaded for free!
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.

s/v Jedi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 08:41   #6
always in motion is the future
 
s/v Jedi's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 18,757
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill O View Post
I'm with you that commercial brands of chart plotters cost thousands of dollars, but using opencpn with a good monitor will probably cost less than a top of the line smartphone.

Could be a great backup if within cell range.
But but… you need a computer for that?!

You don’t need cell range, works worldwide!
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.

s/v Jedi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 08:43   #7
always in motion is the future
 
s/v Jedi's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 18,757
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by rslifkin View Post
There's definitely some sarcasm in the original post, but in my mind, the biggest advantage to actual chartplotters over other solutions is ease of good systems integration with other components (like radar, AIS, autopilot, depth and wind instruments, etc.) rather than the actual basic "GPS and chart plotting" functionality.
But for all that, AIS, wind, compass etc. you can just download an app… often for free!
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.

s/v Jedi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 08:46   #8
Registered User
 
thomm225's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay Area
Boat: Bristol 27
Posts: 10,425
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill O View Post
I'm with you that commercial brands of chart plotters cost thousands of dollars, but using opencpn with a good monitor will probably cost less than a top of the line smartphone.

Could be a great backup if within cell range.
It's much cheaper with the free OpenCPN Charts and using an old Laptop or a $100 Raspberry Pi and $70.00 monitor (2020 prices)

GPS can be received via USB GPS/GLONASS U-BLOX 7 ($11.99)

https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-G-Mou...3023495&sr=8-3

Or a GPS puck $17 or from your VHF w/GPS

You can also bring in AIS from you VHF or a $150-$200 AIS Receiver

I do use my smartphone with the Free Polar app though to monitor my run distance/speed, Heart Rate avg/max, calories burned etc during my workouts.

It also shows the track of my run via GPS

* note; You do need the strap on chest sensor for Heart Rate info/calories burned etc

It can track my movements on the boat as well as can OpenCPN
thomm225 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 08:51   #9
Registered User
 
Sailing August's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Boat: 1982 Irwin 46 Ketch - Reduced Rig & Shoal Draft
Posts: 193
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Beware!
Google Maps and that little blue dot can be off as much as a 1/4 mile depending on your connection to the cellular network and refresh rate.
Very dangerous in shallow waters in and around reefs.
GPS driven chart plotters are accurate to +/- 3 feet. much safer
Sailing August is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 09:09   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Rochester, NY
Boat: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Posts: 6,190
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailing August View Post
Beware!
Google Maps and that little blue dot can be off as much as a 1/4 mile depending on your connection to the cellular network and refresh rate.
Very dangerous in shallow waters in and around reefs.
GPS driven chart plotters are accurate to +/- 3 feet. much safer

Modern cell phones all have actual GPS chips in them and will have far more accurate location that that once the GPS has a few seconds to warm up and see some satellites.
rslifkin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 09:23   #11
Moderator
 
Jammer's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Minnesota
Boat: Tartan 3800
Posts: 4,759
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by s/v Jedi View Post
So these chart plotters cost thousands!

The other day I got a smartphone and it turns out it has Google Maps which does navigation just fine! For free!

Did April 1 come early this year?


Does s/v Jedi need to be more careful with his password?
__________________
The best part of an adventure is the people you meet.
Jammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 09:26   #12
Moderator
 
Adelie's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: La Ciudad de la Misión Didacus de Alcalá en Alta California, Virreinato de Nueva España
Boat: Cal 20
Posts: 20,441
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailing August View Post
Beware!
Google Maps and that little blue dot can be off as much as a 1/4 mile depending on your connection to the cellular network and refresh rate.
Very dangerous in shallow waters in and around reefs.
GPS driven chart plotters are accurate to +/- 3 feet. much safer


Plotters are only as good as the underlying map data.
__________________
Num Me Vexo?
For all of your celestial navigation questions: https://navlist.net/
A house is but a boat so poorly built and so firmly run aground no one would think to try and refloat it.
Adelie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 09:30   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: US
Posts: 219
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

As someone once mentioned before, cell phones, iPads, and computers are as waterproof as tissue paper. If you are out in foul weather and reduced visibility, do you really want to be holding a cell phone in your hand to give you navigation assistance?
Locquatious is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 09:37   #14
Registered User
 
sv_pelagia's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: British Columbia
Boat: Sceptre 41
Posts: 1,922
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Locquatious View Post
As someone once mentioned before, cell phones, iPads, and computers are as waterproof as tissue paper. If you are out in foul weather and reduced visibility, do you really want to be holding a cell phone in your hand to give you navigation assistance?
Many new phones have significant water resistance:
The*Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are the first Samsung foldable phones to feature water resistance, so they should be totally fine to use in the rain, next to the kitchen sink or while in the bathroom. Even though they have different designs, these phones share the same IPX8 water-resistance rating: up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) of water for up to 30 minutes, according to Samsung's specifications.

Tested and shown to be correct:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/gal...-deep-go-dunk/

We have our phone or tablet in a holder... no need to be "holding phone in your hand...".
sv_pelagia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2023, 09:37   #15
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Annapolis, MD
Boat: Southerly 480
Posts: 510
Images: 1
Re: Why even bother with a plotter when you can get this!

shimari is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Italy, France, Spain med coast. Why bother? hoppy Europe & Mediterranean 79 17-11-2018 10:28
Backing Down? Why Bother When Tide Changes Delancey Anchoring & Mooring 151 03-02-2017 13:01
Why bother with thimbles on lazyjacks? Tessellate Construction, Maintenance & Refit 15 24-04-2015 04:58
Handheld GPS as backup, why bother? hoppy Marine Electronics 43 16-04-2015 13:06
3 Years Sailing the Caribbean - Why Bother ? eliems General Sailing Forum 29 01-05-2012 14:57

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:42.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.