Chart Plotters and Navfax

[Jonathan Langham]

Is there a consensus of the merits of touch screen versus dedicated buttons on chart plotters (accepting the price difference)

Tireur has an old Navfax that has packed up (the antenna) and will need a new screen and antenna to ensure compatibility of both. The NASA solution seems far more cost effective. Do many members still use Navfax or has this been replaced by mobile apps. I might be old fashioned but i still like the shipping forecast to know whats around the corner.

Any thoughts welcome

Regards

[Huntsman60]

Jonathan - Rosina didn't have a chart plotter but I've added in a Garmin. The boat should be afloat today but we've another delay - I'm mounted the plotter into the removeable panel above the door so that I can take it away when the boat is not in use.

I've got for buttons - these days I find that the latest generation of plotters have 101 functions - or which I only really use...two!

D

[fushion julz]

Hermes has/had a Raymarine Dragonfly 5m with Navionics maps from 2016. Unfortunately, after the winter ashore, the unit has failed (completely blank screen) and, according to Raymarine is unrepairable.

However, since I have had the boat, I have also used a Samsung S2 8" tablet with a Navionics subscription.

So far, I haven't replaced the Dragonfly as the cost of the charts card is huge, compared to the yearly subscription for Android that is continuously updated.

The Pros of a plotter are:
Visible in all lights
Screen doesn't get affected by glare/overheating
Buttons (not touch screen) allow use even in bumpy/rough seas.

Cons are:
Cost of the charts
Lack of updates
No auto routing available
Reliant on boat 12V electrics

The Pros of the Android device:
Charts are cheap and constantly updated
Can be used on a back-up device (phone) in the event of a failure
Screen is much bigger and more detailed
Built-in battery means it works even in a dinghy/tender or at home (for pre-planning)
Easy to dismount (I use a RAM x-grip)
Does auto-routing (both a blessing and a curse)
Many more functions and information than available on the plotter (marina/dock information, etc)

Cons are:
Screen can become hard to see in very bright light from behind
It isn't fully waterproof
Touch screen can be hard to control in bumpy conditions...but it mostly doesn't need to be touched.

I haven't missed the plotter at all this season (yet). I always have my tablet and phone, so have 2 devices with up-to-date (to the day) charts...plus paper charts on board if required.

[Jonathan Langham]

I had never thought about a tablet solution as always feared about it going over the side or having a flat battery at a critical moment. But the fact that your plotter packed up after on 6 years is a bit of a concern. Also that fact that are rather bulky making it difficult to remove when you leave the idea of having £2k of kit only secured by a canvas cover is some thing to think about.

I like the idea of planning trips on a winter's night from the comfort of the sofa.

The engineer has been out today and now needs to drill out a bolt on the header tank so it might make sense to save my pennies

Thanks for your comments

[fushion julz]

I never removed the plotter even when the boat was on her current swinging mooring... I didn't consider the security aspect!

The cost of the plotter itself, whilst not insignificant, isn't the issue... The yearly subscription to Navionics UK chart costs £35 and, as I said, is updated regularly.

The Navionics SD card is over £200 and if you want an update, it costs every time!

You can get waterproof and glare resistant sailing tablets... When the (now elderly) Samsung packs up, that is what I will replace it with.

Last August I went out as crew on Fujitsu British Soldier for Cowes week and they had no fixed plotter on deck... Relying solely on a tablet.
So I am not alone...

[Ben]

I've just bought a boat for this summer (not a Fairey, but don't tell anyone) with no plotter, I've concluded a paper chart and a tablet with Navionics is the way forward, I sim card with a 'all you can eat' 4G data package to go with it.

By my reckoning chart plotters are a things of the past now we have tablets.

Incidentally on the subject of charts, Admiralty have stopped doing the small craft folios and there's now some print on demand service, I've not tried yet.

[Huntsman60]

Ben,
I went for a chart plotter as (a) there was a 15% discount that day and (b) a lot of the time I'm short handed on board and (c) i'm often out at night so it is nice to not have to fiddle about when your attention really should be elsewhere. The advantage of the Garmin is that you can remove the unit from the stand - I can also lock the stand away down below so hopefully security won't be an issue.

Re the Amiralty charts - my understand is that the Folios will still be available but the big change is that you will also be able to buy the individual charts that would normally be just a part of the set - so I can get a detailed chart of Salcombe without having to go for the full package....

Dougal
Rosina of Netley...now afloat (fingers crossed) late next week.

[fushion julz]

I'm in full agreement, Ben....

However, a pal has just said he is going to donate an Element 7 that is sitting in his shed as he has replaced with Axioms...

So I will have a 3rd electronic chart version and will invest in new chart card for it

[Ben]

Exciting news about Rosina, good luck.

Keep us posted.

[Huntsman60]

Ben,

I'm going to have to put my hand up to a confession but I'll wait until the boat is afloat - I'll put a picture up in a minute but the plan is now for late next week.....

D

[Huntsman60]

nearly there.....

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