Chartplotter recommendations

A

aholst1

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Looking for a unit with integral antenna, nothing too fancy. All of our boating is on the TN River from Knoxville to no farther than Chattanooga.
The only reason I need (want) one is for evening / night boating - definitely need to know where the channel is!
 
Several options are available for you, one that I like is the Raymarine 435i, it hs an easy to see color screen, uses the Navonics card and would give you the entire Tennessee River then some.
 
I got a little rant!

I've been buying Lowrance products for 40 years and have been continually disappointed in them. When there is a nice feature like a one button push to go to the next waypoint the next model doesn't have it. When I sent a Z9500 in for not picking bottom during high speed runs in over 35' of water (for they're set repair price of $79) The problem wasn't fixed and to top it off, my software was upgraded and I no longer had dual frequency modes.

My previous GPS(global map 2000c) lost the display and Lowrance wouldn't fix it but they gave me a rebate for a 5000c. This ended up being a fazed out unit. It also has a lot of nuisance software in that every feature you want has to be put in EVERY TIME you start up. There's NO memory for even what display features you want such as SOG or distance to next waypoint. What a MAJOR PITA!!!

After 40 years, this is the LAST Lowrance product I buy!
 
i have said it time and time again. i love my standard unit. not sure of there current offerings but it seems to be the most user friendly of any on teh market. IMO
 
Get the biggest screen (preferably color) you can afford and still physically fit your console.

My best luck has been with Furuno products.

Fred
 
Went to office depot picked up a laptop for $350 after rebate.

While at office depot add an external hard drive for $99 after rebate for when the laptop takes a dump.

Called maptech got the charts for the entire usa plus for $25.

While at maptech ordered a gps receiver for $120.

Had the inverter - but total coat on a large screen laptop for around $600 plus tax.
 
I picked up a NavMan 5500 chartplotter (from Boatfix, of course--best price). Easy to see at night, large enough screen for me, and on the plus side, built in fuel computer. The fuel flow sensors are extra, but the software is already built into the unit.

I know that the unit I purchased, had a version with an internal antenna.
From what I've read the reception and time to acquire a signal were more than satisfactory.

I have no complaints about mine. In use for about three seasons now and not a problem.

Just my .02,
Frank
 
I have 2 plotters the ray 435 and a c-70 series,the 435 has an easy to read picture, with good color resolution during the day. Operation is easy and the navonics gold cards covers a very large area on one card, I don,t think you would be unhappy with it.
 
Northstar is the best IMO.
I miss my Standard Horizon.

With a built in antenna the new Garmins looks nice.

I have the Raymarine C70 - Not a great unit but has allot of features.
 
I'd recommend the Standard Horizon CVP350, Chart Plotter, Fishfinder option, loudhailer, DSC VHF with a 7 inch colour screen.

I've fitted one and am very happy with it.
 
If you are pretty sure you won't be getting the chart plotter wet often Go with the standard horizon cp1000. Real easy to use and doesn't cost alot. It is being replaced by the cp500 which i don't have but it sounds as easy to use as the cp1000. I recently bought a si tex explorer plus which isn't as good but is less money and will do the basics as far as I can tell so far. I'm hoping the si tex is more water resistant. I would see if a store has them so you can check them out before you buy. Some places are easier to return things than others...So you might want to concider that to before you buy.
 
quote:
Originally posted by aholst1

The only reason I need (want) one is for evening / night boating - definitely need to know where the channel is!

Click to expand...


It's been said hundreds of times - do not rely on GPS chartplotters for critical navigation. They are subject to errors sufficient to get you into trouble and, being an electronic device, will fail at the most inopportune time. Useful ? Definitely ! Reliable navigation equipment? Not really.
 
El Sea--your solution may not help a person on the upper Tennessee river--EIN may or may not cover this on the web. I don't consider a laptop computer good for smaller boats--too much glare problem, not easily read screen, not good night dimming options. Too "clunky" to use when running a fast boat (Yes, I used computer navigation for over 7 years)

I have two Lowrance units--one 5 years old, still fully supported and works fine. One a year old, with the hard drive topo and NOAA charts--both are excellent machines. I have the Tennessee Navionics card, and it shows your part of the river well.

I also have the Standard Horizon 175--the chip which shows the Gulf and Inland Waterway, should show your Tennassee River area--But that is a bit of overkill (I'll check the exact coverage in the AM).

I also have a Garmin--the easiest to use, but not sure about the river in that area, despite the hard drive.

First, find out who has the best charts for your area. Then get the biggest and brightest screen you can find. If necessary you can put a "gel" or plastic (smokey or red) over the screen to dim down--but Standard and Lowrance both had good "night modes".

I don't agree with Eric entirely--but on rivers, the channel may change often, and the charts are not corrected on a regular basis. GPS chart plotters are extremely accurate--it is the charts that are not accuratet. Reliable--absolutely. I have yet to have a GPS fail, and I have been using GPS for over 17 years. The only time I have lost a signal, is the proximity of warships--the areas covered have been worldwide.
 
quote:
Originally posted by thataway4

I don't agree with Eric entirely--but on rivers, the channel may change often, and the charts are not corrected on a regular basis. GPS chart plotters are extremely accurate--it is the charts that are not accuratet. Reliable--absolutely. I have yet to have a GPS fail, and I have been using GPS for over 17 years. The only time I have lost a signal, is the proximity of warships--the areas covered have been worldwide.

Click to expand...


The GPS system is indeed very reliable, but ships electronics are what ships electronics are.

Accuracy of contemporary recreational GPS fixes are typically +/- 15 meters, or about 50 feet.

NOAA cites charts are accurate to +/- 0.5 mm at the scale of the survey. If you have a fairly large scale survey, say 1:25,000, then the accuracy is +/- 12.5 meters, or about 41 feet.

The expected accuracy then of a GPS chart plotter operating with a 1:25,000 survey chart is on the order of +/- 91 feet. For a 1:40,000 survey it becomes 116 feet, and at 1:80,000 it becomes 181 feet.

I am leery because the route into and out of my marina requires navigating a channel with a controlling width of 60 feet over about 3 miles. The local chart is on a 1:25,000 survey. Expected accuracy = +/-91 feet. That's a little tight for me.

And then you have Bob's point - charts get dated, channels move, etc. It's risky business to be reliant on GPS in critical navigation situations, where the reasonably expected accuracy is not enough to assure safe passage.
 
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