best large screen gps chart plotter for less than $1000

[Tim.M]

I thought about trying to use a notebook computer connected to gps for this, but if I go the safe way and go with a traditional chart plotter, what's the best deal going for a larger screen (10", 12") gps color chart plotter for navigation around US waters?

[Tim.M]

Maybe I'll have to settle for a 7" screen if I don't want to try and rig something up using a notebook computer.

Then the question breaks down to:
best screen
best refresh speed (or are they all smooth now?)
best chart data format / pricing / availability for charts -- this is probably a big one
best extra features, such as some that have optional vhf interface so you can see on the chartplotter the location of someone calling on the radio, or optional sounder transducer interface to put a depthsounder/fishfinder on a splitscreen.

[Boatpride]

Hi Tim,

I can point you in the direction of a range of plotters that come around or under your price point http://boatpride.com/boat-electronics-and-nautical-navigation/chartplotters.html

Some answers to your questions:


Most of the screens nowadays are offered in QVGA so you can see the screen in all light, including direct sunlight.


The refresh speeds are constant, so as you move your position is automatically updated on screen


Generally the included chart data is of a high standard across the price range. A "basic" package takes care of most requirements


Split screen functionality comes across the range, so you can monitor sounder data and mapping for example


I hope this information helps you to find your chartplotter.

[Stumble]

I would really look at using a cheap computer to do this, not a dedicated chart plotter for a couple of reasons:

1) Price - computer+screen is less than a chart plotter of the same size
2) Versatility - You also get a full function computer
3) Charts - NOAA is now providing FREE weekly updated electronic charts.

My 'ideal' system:

Mac mini - $600 - The computer
GPSNavX - $60 - Full featured chart plotting software
USB GPS antenna - $60
Charts with weekly updates - Free
Couldn't find a price on a sunlight readable screen. But around $600 for a 12 inch I think

[marshmat]

The only major problem, I think, with going for a laptop/peripherals setup is the whole "near water" thing. Laptops don't like water and they don't like salt. Also, you can't really mount them at the helm, but if you normally navigate from the cabin, you can always hang a second monitor in a window that faces the helmsman.

Still, you can get a half-decent laptop with a sunlight-viewable 14" screen for $400-$500 or so. You can burn through six or more of them for the cost of a single "water-resistant" dedicated plotter setup.

If I knew anything at all about coding, I'd be helping out with OpenPilot- add NMEA2000 compatibility and the ability to handle AIS (both of which, I've heard, are on the "features being developed" list), and it'd be able to give a lot of pricey commercial hardware a run for the money.

[Stumble]

Marsh,

The reason I suggest the macmini is the ability to store it as deep inside the boat as possible compared to a laptop. Then just run a video cable to the bridge, or anywhere else you want a repeater. Add a wireless keyboard and mouse, and problem solved.

I know that GPSNavX can accept NMEA input, though you do need to get a NMEA to USB converter box, which I think runs around $150.

[whoosh]

IMO there is no such thing as a good plotter
I put the best on B AND G, but it was so poor compared with a pc based programme, and hugely expensive to get charts
take a 300 dollar pc, laptop, buy Nobeltec Admiral 7, voted best charting in the world for so many years, the thing will even steer the ship around obsticles
, and there ya go, every cruiser will give you charting cd,s for free, Sea mac etc

[Tim B]

Marshmat,

Thankyou, that is praise indeed!

Yes, I will be doing AIS as soon as I can get my hands on a laptop (I only have to write the data parser, I just need some real data to work with!). I will also be looking at NMEA2000, but I'm not tying myself to a date for that yet!

Cheers,

Tim B.

[DaveJ]

The PC add's so much flexabilty later on it is mind boggling of the capabilities. This is what i'm looking at doing for a setup. I have an ASUS EEPC 7" (which has solid state HD, and thus rough movement will not damage the HD's that is in normal PC's) which will be placed in the boat where salt and water can't get, connect a 14"-15" enviromentaly sealed touchscreen which is how i interface with the PC at the cockpit. Connect alot of the other device used in the boat, like autopilot, engine control, VHF/UHF radios, Radar/Weather Radar up to the PC. Create a wireless network on the boat, which will interface with the PC and my hand held PDA/Mobile phone. Idea is i could be at the bow slowly motoring forward, and see the bottom, control the motor from the PDA and tell it to go into reverse so i can drop the anchor. Ultimately drive the boat single handedly, so from anywhere on the boat, i could change course, recieve alerts, talk over the VHF/UHF, see wind speed and direction, soundings of the bottom, start/stop the motors, as i said, the mind boogles.

[NEWENGLAND]

large screen gps chart plotter for less than $1000.

You most likley wont find anything in that price range with a large screen unless its used.


I can get you nice large screen Samyung units like this Samyung/NAVIS 380 series for about $5,000 US Dollars in CONUS.

http://navisusa.com/images/3800.JPG



or a nice small 8 inch Samyung/Navis 800 for just $1,795.




Capt Walt
NAVIS@Maine.rr.com
p.o. box 1585
Saco, Me 04072
(207) 831-6311