Need advice on Electronic Charts?

DriftR · 03-09-2004, 12:49 PM

I have been giving it some thought about purchasing a new plotter. Trouble is I'm confused at all the offerings available for electronic charts available. So if any of you have any advice on the following please post it in your reply. The available ones I am looking at are either C-map NT+ (it did win the 2003 NMEA award if that matters) or the Navionics. Now the Navionics has either the Gold or the Classic. I plan on using this with a Furuno 1850WD plotter. But the catch is I have to decide prior to purchasing the Furuno which system (either C-MapNT+ or Navionics)I want to order the right Furuno 1850WD plotter with DGPS. Blue chart (Garmin brand) is not a choice.

Hawg Hunter · 03-09-2004, 03:24 PM

Driftr,
I hope you get some good answers because I was just about to ask the same question. I am also considering buying the Furuno Navnet system. (combination radar/gps/sounder) I am also confused which format to order. Hopefully, we will hear everyones pros and cons to which format is better. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

Hawg Hunter · 03-11-2004, 10:55 AM

Help,
DriftR & I could sure use some expert advice on this subject. If anyone has a preference on these two formats, we would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

Pitch Pocket · 03-11-2004, 02:46 PM

I have the Furuno 1722c Navnet with Cmap. The charts are fine. I think Navionics has a little more control of the colors, but they both do essentially the same thing. If you can make it up to Rogers, I think they have both maps set up.

You can call Furuno up in Camas and talk to tech support. They have lots of experience in both formats and can answer lots of questions. I think it comes down to your personal preference on appearances and how the comparative features actually work.

JerryG · 03-11-2004, 03:58 PM

I have a Furuno NavNet 1833 for my main unit and a 1650 for redundancy. Through some sort of mixup I find after installation that one takes Navionics charts and the other C-Map. I have the Navionics chart but the C-map won't arrive untill next week. This is a new boat, 5hours on engines so far. It is moored in Olympia, WA for now. After break-in I will take it to Ilwaco, WA where I have rented long term moorage.

If you would like to test mine let me know.

Hawg Hunter · 03-11-2004, 06:51 PM

I really appreciate all the input. I got an e-mail from DriftR and he said from all his research it looks like the Navionics format might have a little more detail and options. I am going over to Englunds tomorrow to talk to them about this subject and possibly pick up a few items. :grin:

kamloops · 03-11-2004, 11:34 PM

Guys

They are all good. It's kind of like buying a PC, IT'S outdated the minute it comes off the shelf. I would talk to the guys at Rodgers Marine in Portland or any other certified
dealer. If you buy it out of a catalogue you might save a few bucks but try and get some help, they send ya to cutomer service from poor shlepp in India. Furuno or RayMarine both make good inclusive systems, Radar, Plotter and Fish finders.
I would not hestitate to buy any name brand plotter running Navionics, Bluechart or C-Map + or whatever. I'd say screen size and color contrast i.e.Day/Sunlight viewing and ease of use
and a key pad to enter waypoints and lat/long numbers to be important features, you may have your own important options.

I use Raymarine that's C-Map + I think,and it's great. Just wish I had a number keypad.