PC CHART-PLOTTERS
DIGITAL CHARTS
Navionics Gold C-Map You can click anywhere on a chart to bring
Excellent clarity at all zoom levels. Good As with Navionics, this vector cartography up a list of other charts that cover that point.
knitting together of areas so you aren’t even zooms and pans seamlessly. Unlike Navionics, Free monthly chart corrections, for a limited
aware when you’re changing charts. We the data is supplied on DVD and you load time, are included.
weren’t too happy, however, with the way it onto your hard drive. Charts of the whole
Navionics labels its charts. The chart covering world take up about 17GB of hard disk space, Livechart
the entire Central Channel could easily be but fear not – you only load to the PC the Vector-based, so layers can be added
called Central Channel instead of areas you have paid for. and taken away. It costs much less than
5R392XL.NV2. The chart is provided on the Satellite photos are included. We also the C-Map and Navionics charts, but the
same flash memory card you would use found a spelling mistake on the chart with the differences are evident. Updates may only be
in a dedicated plotter, so can be moved Calshot N cardinal being spelt Calshoe. had by replacing the entire chart.
around to wherever you want it, without The one year downloadable free Notices to
buying additional copies. We found two Mariners is excellent. UKHO
errors locally, one a spelling mistake, but the As with Imray’s, these are designed for leisure
Calshot Spit light was shown as red when it Imray use. We found them simple and clear.
is actually white. Being raster charts, it means you’re getting The variant supplied by Maptech knits the
We wondered why it was never reported exactly what you get on the Imray paper charts together (if sometimes at different
to Navionics, which has a web-based error- version – clear to read and designed for scales), whereas the UKHO/RYA ones don’t.
reporting service. Updates are only available recreational craft – so things that don’t matter, As with Imray, no automatic updates available
as a complete new chart, at half the new price. such as really deep wrecks, aren’t shown. – you have to buy a new CD each year.
WHICH WOULD WE BUY?
What to look for plotting systems are a fraction of the price All the plotters included a log that records
During installation you’ll probably have to of a dedicated marine chart plotter, so if position, course and speed.
phone the supplier to talk through a problem. you already have a PC they’re a great help
It’s also likely that one call will do it. Most of at a low price. However, the chances are Which is best?
the problems we had related to configuring your PC is not marinised and as such has For simple leisure use it’s hard to beat
ports for AIS and GPS. Just remember, a the potential to fail at any time – especially the package from Imray. £30 or so per
GPS antenna operates at 4,800 baud, but in such a harsh environment as on board year, including charts, with free monthly
an AIS receiver at 38,400 baud, so it’s likely a yacht. It’s probably also not waterproof, corrections certainly makes it the most up
you’ll need to manually configure your USB so can’t be used in the rain or spray and to date budget system. You also get AIS
ports to match – unless the program contains lastly, it probably isn’t too easy to read in compatibility (though not the AIS receiver
an automatic port configurator, which some direct sunlight. So, if you want electronic of course). It’s a big jump to £245 for the
indeed do, or you use the Windows® system charting below, out of the sun and rain, it’s system and charts from Maptech. At the top
to recognise your add-ons. Once you have fine – otherwise you might consider buying a we had differences of opinion, but the ability
configured these ports for a particular type waterproof display for the cockpit. We tested to move your chart cartridge from PC to
of input, keep to the same ports when the AIS capability at anchor on the Bramble dedicated plotter – eg Raymarine or Navico
plugging/unplugging kit, such as antennae Bank, but were shocked to see a local – seems eminently sensible, so PC Plotter or
etc, or you’ll have to start again. Most PC commercial ship failing to transmit AIS at all. seaPro 3000 probably have the edge. ■
Raster/ Chart source Ease of Dongle Tidal Tidal flow Tidal Tide MOB icon Weather Chart updates Range AIS receiver AIS transponder ARPA/ Digital radar Click and Output to
Vector (as tested) installation required diamonds arrows curves calculations forecast rings compatible compatible MARPA input drag to autopilot
in routes overlay input move chart
UKHO/RYA Raster UKHO No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No None. Buy new annually No No With transponder No No Yes No
manufacturer’s software
Imray Raster Imray No Yes Optional Optional Manually Yes No Online free Yes Yes With transponder Yes No Yes No
for Primary manufacturer’s software
Maptech Chartnav Pro Raster UKHO No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes £95 annual replacement Yes Yes With transponder No No Yes Yes
or write your own overlay manufacturer’s software
notes
Nobeltec VNS Vector C-Map MAX Yes Yes Yes*** Yes Yes*** Yes Yes 1 year free online Yes Yes Yes – in Nobeltec s/w Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pro corrections
PC Plotter Vector Navionics Gold Only at start Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 50% £ of chart No Yes Yes – in PCP s/w No No Yes Yes
seaPro 3000 Vector Livechart* Yes No Yes Some** Yes Yes Yes 50% £ of chart 1 Yes With transponder Yes From Koden No Yes
manufacturer’s software radar PC
*Also runs Navionics, Maptech and ARCS charts ** Option tide module for tidal curves for primary and secondary ports *** Coming soon
ON PRO • NOBELTEC VNS MAX PRO • EURONAV SEAPRO 3000 • IMRAY
July 09 Sailing Today 55
ST147 Group
Plotters_RTG.indd 51 15/5/09 10:06:47
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