Chartplotters

[turtonr]

I'm considering installing a chartplotter. Any suggestions? Is anyone going to be cruising South Stradbroke area during the Xmas- New Year break?
Cheers
Ray

[dlymn]

They are all good. I wish I could find a tablet PC that allows me to run Open CPN and is rugged enough to withstand the conditions at the helm. Make sure that you check out the cost of charts. Some can be very expensive.
It's great to have the information, but all I use it for is to see how fast I'm going and how deep the water is. For day sailing and coastal sailing, a compass is great. when you're out of sight of land, a chartplotter can be reassuring.
Owning one can make you a tad obsessive about data; what is your ETA, how far is it to the next way point, what is the current state of the tide, etc, etc ad nauseum.
A hand held might be all you need if you're looking for basics.

[Mac26Mpaul]

I have a hummingbird unit (cant remember which model) which I have been pretty happy with although the fishfinder doesnt always give an accurate depth and unfortunately the GPS PUK stopped communicating with the main unit recently so now it only works for sonar. I liked it (when it was working properly) because I didnt need hunt around with the Beacon to Beacon directory.

I was told that Hummingbird are fantastic and always help their customers and always reply to emails. I emailed them my problem but they ignored me, so not even sure how to, or where to, get the dam thing fixed.... Will look into it soon I guess.........

I have a handheld unit too (GPS72) which has no maps just a screen where I have programmed all the way points for Moreton bay (from the Beacon to Beacon) It works just as well but is a bit more of a pain because you still need look everthing up in the Beacon to Beacon.....

We will be out a few times over the Xmas period. PLan on doing a couple of three night trips but not sure when. We will probably time one of them so that New Years Eve will be anchored in Southport for the kids to watch the 8 oclock fireworks. Probably go North for the other three days, maybe Peel and Amity, not really sure yet......

[bartmac]

We intend to travel with our Mac....bays lakes rivers etc One of the problems I have envisaged is the fact that Australian waterways are on the whole not used for commercial shipping (unlike the US and Europe) and thus not mapped except for the obvious bays and harbours and as the Mac is a protected waters boat the main mapping is for coastal water and offshore.Have now got oziexplorer on a toughbook to help with this lack of marine mapping which also does double duty in our camper.The use of a Navman chartplotter complete with dedicated maps (C-map) covering Gold Coast/ Moreton bay right thru to North QLD will see us in good stead for that area.Having traveled with use of a GPS for years now....DON'T rely on them completely....have maps or charts to back up any electronic position device...and preferably have a back up GPS...handheld cheapy would do.The prior examination of the maps/charts of where you are going is not a bad idea.Our mac is fitted with a depth/fishfinder which given the main usage...rivers etc is very useful...whilst the depth require to float a Mac maybe only a foot or so in the old measurements...motors and rudders need more

[turtonr]

I have taken note of mastreb's post on the mods page and am interested in looking at the the iPad option. I have an old Garmin GPS and sounder with a black and white screen but no charts. Use conventional charts.
Ray