Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-20-2011, 06:56 PM   #1
Guru
 
timjet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,920
Chart plotter anguish

When I bought my boat a year ago I knew I was getting a somewhat dated electronic suite, but it appeared to be usable. It is a Raymarine chart-plotter and radar combo connected to a depth gauge and autopilot. The only issue I've had with it is having to replace the GPS sensor.*

The unit works well and was top of the line in it's day. But it's showing it's age. The chart plotter takes older C-MAP NT charts which Jeppesen is still supporting, but until when? They are expensive, about $199 a pop and cover a relatively small area. Screen refresh is slow which can be madding at times. The route line is so thin that it's difficult to see and info box's like ETA, ETA to next WP and arrival time cannot be displayed on the map page but are buried on page 7. Many of the functions are not intuitive and I compiled several pages of notes I keep handy on the bridge. But I love the big 10" screen and the radar works well though I still need to become proficient with it.*

My biggest complain though is the difficultly in transferring routes and way points created on my computer to the chart-plotter. When the unit was built there was no need for this transfer capability because no one had computers with charts on them. I've contacted Raymaine and a tech said there is a work around that involves manually connecting the chart plotter to a computer via some kind of wire. He's going to send me the instructions. He did warn me that this is a work around as the unit was never designed for this capability and it ain't gonna be easy.*

So I was thinking of just chucking the whole mess and starting new until I researched what it would cost to replace it. A comparable unit is in the $4M range, but much more capable and user friendly. After spending north of $15M getting this boat the way I like it, the electronics suite is going to have to wait. I thought I could salvage the radar and just buy a new chart plotter, but everything today is digital and the radar is analog.*

So this is my plan. Since everything is working and the only real issue is my desire to have the newest and greatest, I am going to work with raymarine to get the transfer function up and running. I have a garmin hand held gps with a tiny screen that I use as a back up. It does*display the info box's on the map screen and as long as I have my glasses handy I'm good to go.*

We're headed to Key West next month, so I'll have a change to really determine if it's drawbacks are really that important.*

Comments??

*

*
timjet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2011, 07:30 PM   #2
Guru
 
Moonstruck's Avatar
 
City: Hailing Port: Charleston, SC
Vessel Name: Moonstruck
Vessel Model: Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,276
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Tim, go on C-map's (jeppeson Marine) website or phone them.* They have a fairly inexpensive PC Planner program that allow for planning on a computer and transferring to your plotter.* It includes a device that lets you download direct to your chart chip.
Moonstruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2011, 07:26 AM   #3
Guru
 
timjet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,920
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Don, I'll check with Jeppesen and Raymarine again.

I have a RL80C built by Raytheon before the merger with Raymarine and uses HSB 1. It appears the HSB 1 is the problem. Perhaps you have the RL80C Plus which was continued after the merger but upgraded to HSB 2, which allows a computer connection.
Parts are no longer available to upgrade my unit to HSB 2 and even if they were I would not spend the $1050 to upgrade which is what Raymarine charged before running out of parts.

I'm waiting to here from the tech at Raymarine about the work around I mentioned before.
timjet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2011, 08:01 AM   #4
Guru
 
Moonstruck's Avatar
 
City: Hailing Port: Charleston, SC
Vessel Name: Moonstruck
Vessel Model: Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,276
Chart plotter anguish

Quote:
timjet wrote:
Don, I'll check with Jeppesen and Raymarine again.

I have a RL80C built by Raytheon before the merger with Raymarine and uses HSB 1. It appears the HSB 1 is the problem. Perhaps you have the RL80C Plus which was continued after the merger but upgraded to HSB 2, which allows a computer connection.
Parts are no longer available to upgrade my unit to HSB 2 and even if they were I would not spend the $1050 to upgrade which is what Raymarine charged before running out of parts.

I'm waiting to here from the tech at Raymarine about the work around I mentioned before.
*You're right Tim.* I have the HSB2 models.* However, you do don't load direct from the computer to the chart plotter.* The info is loaded onto a chip then the chip is inserted into the chart plotter and the data uploaded.*It may work on yours.* It's worth checking into.

I am very happy with my Raymarine set up, and see not reason to upgrade as long as it's supported.* The 4'open array radar is great.* The plotter and fish finder are great.* I can transfer to different screens and split screens.* From the days when I used an RDF to get home, this seems like science fiction.* My son has a nice late model*Garmen set up with radar and all, but I don't don't see any real advantage over what I have.

*


-- Edited by Moonstruck on Thursday 21st of April 2011 09:03:13 AM
Moonstruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2011, 01:16 PM   #5
Guru
 
timjet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,920
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Quote:
Moonstruck wrote:
*You're right Tim.* I have the HSB2 models.* However, you do don't load direct from the computer to the chart plotter.* The info is loaded onto a chip then the chip is inserted into the chart plotter and the data uploaded.*It may work on yours.* It's worth checking into.

-- Edited by Moonstruck on Thursday 21st of April 2011 09:03:13 AM

*

*I think that's the problem, I can't load data via the chip the unit doesn't allow this. I think that's one of the main differences between HSB 1 and 2 and also the use of the NT vs NT+ chips. *I just got the work around from Raymarine. I will have to upload by using a serial connector from my computer and tieing in with the data input NEMA 0183 wires on my chart plotter. Looks pretty straight forward. I'm concerned about getting the software (Open CPN) to transfer data in a format that the plotter can read. I'll be talking to Raymarine again to get help with this.*
timjet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2011, 04:22 PM   #6
Moderator Emeritus
 
Pineapple Girl's Avatar
 
City: San Jose, CA
Vessel Name: Pineapple Girl 3
Vessel Model: Silverton 38c
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,171
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Hi Tim it has been awhile since you wrote this so maybe you have it all sorted out already.* We have a similar predicament in that the electronics on the boat are woefully outdated and we don't have the bucks to put in a whole new system.* Our boat has no chartplotter at all and the GPS is useless (per the PO "The GPS works, just the screen doesn't work" LOL).* The radar works fine and has its own display.* We were able to get one of the raymarine entry level A series chartplotters for under $500 after rebates at the boat show we had in this area last month.* For now we are maintaining the existing radar with its separate screen.* our someday plan is a whole new system with new radar, etc and then the A series will be a back up unit.* We don't build our routes on the computer and transfer them to the chartplotter so I've no idea if the A series can do this.

So my thought for YOU--do you have the room to keep your existing plotter as a radar screen and install the chartplotter you WANT next to it??* You could upgrade to digital radar LATER and get rid of the old chartplotter then?* Just depends how much real estate you have and how much you like overlaying your radar onto your GPS--which I guess you could still do.* might make the boat look pretty bad ass to have two chartplotters

Anyway, just a thought.
Pineapple Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2011, 04:49 PM   #7
Guru
 
bobofthenorth's Avatar
 
City: Cowichan Bay, BC
Vessel Name: Gray Hawk
Vessel Model: Defever 43 Offshore Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 570
Chart plotter anguish

I'm baffled here guys so help me out but be gentle cuz I'm such an obvious noob.

When we bought Gray Hawk there was no chart plotter onboard.* I brought onboard a*7 year old laptop that we had lying around - so what's that worth - maybe 100 bucks?* And I bought a cheapo Chinese GPS/USB puck online.*I started out using Fugawi ($$$$) which is a whole 'nuther story but as soon as somebody wrote a Canadian chart plug-in for Open CPN I started using it and I just by gawd love it.* Its dead simple to use.* It works.* And for you Americans who never cruise in Canadian waters it costs ............ wait for it ..................... zero bucks.* That's right - absolutely bugger all, the square root of nothing, zip.

I seriously dunno why everybody doesn't use it.* I'm so happy with it that I've donated money to this forum, the cruisers forum where I discovered Open CPN and the opencpn.org site.*

I've got a huge screen c/w most chartplotters.* It refreshes quickly. I use it regularly and everything that I want to use is there with a right click - no long frustrating spells wading through multiple menus looking for something.* I've got some money invested in my Canadian charts but that's unavoidable no matter what you do.* Beyond that I've spent chump change.* Tell me what I'm missing.


-- Edited by bobofthenorth on Thursday 5th of May 2011 09:20:19 PM
bobofthenorth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2011, 06:39 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Bendit's Avatar
 
City: Auckland
Vessel Name: Pioneer
Vessel Model: Westcoaster 53 converted to pleasure
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 323
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Way to go Bob, we have a similar set-up.

I'm interested in your comment re Fugawi, I use Navionics Gold charts with Fugawi and have had no problems.
Bendit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2011, 06:50 PM   #9
Moderator Emeritus
 
Pineapple Girl's Avatar
 
City: San Jose, CA
Vessel Name: Pineapple Girl 3
Vessel Model: Silverton 38c
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,171
RE: Chart plotter anguish

we use our laptop with open CPN down below but we only drive down there in bad weather. Trying to use a laptop on the flybridge is not practical and after using*Ray Marine chart plotters for*the past five plus years*IMO open CPM does not compare in ease of use.* IMO there is a reason it is free, sorry.* I'm not trying to be rude!!* Obviously everyone has their own preference and if it works for you, awesome.* What counts is we are all out there boating!!!*
Pineapple Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2011, 07:08 PM   #10
Master and Commander
 
markpierce's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
Chart plotter anguish

I've boated (20 years in the SF Bay area)*with only compass and charts.

The thought of radar, gps, plotter, and depth finder is almost incomprehensible.* Let the adventure begin!


-- Edited by markpierce on Thursday 5th of May 2011 08:10:53 PM
Attached Thumbnails
coot helm.jpg  
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2011, 11:42 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Jim Spence's Avatar
 
City: Full time cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Eagle
Vessel Model: Californian 50' Cockpit M/V
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 180
RE: Chart plotter anguish

I just recently started using Coastal Explorer and love it! I had previously been using Standard Horizon with C-map charts. I had bought the PC Planner for it and found it to be the most kluge piece of software I have ever seen. (and I was in the software business for many years). With Coastal Explorer you use the same data, the same computer and the same software to plan your cruise, create routes, make marks etc. Then you push a button and put it in 'cruise mode' and your off. Your charts are kept continuously updated for free, no waiting for the 'annual' release at $100 per chip! You can even download it and try it for free. It also has Active Captain that gets updated when you have internet access, that is activated right on the chart at the press of a button.

Normal disclaimer applies, no relationship other than a happy customer!

http://rosepointnav.com/default.htm
Jim Spence is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2011, 03:10 PM   #12
Per
Guru
 
Per's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 622
RE: Chart plotter anguish

I am starting to look for upgrades, all the new stuff sounds so cool.
All those things you can do, and on one big colorful screen.
But then i think again, do i really need it?
My older Furono separate units work fine and if one goes down the others still work.
Am i going somewhere that i need to be able to transfer waypoints into the GPS? (i think mine can only be programmed at the helm) Not really. Do i use auto pilot: yes sometimes but the one i have works with what i have...

the only thing i would like to work better for me is a fish finder... so the question is, do you then go for a good separate fishfinder/sonar or do you get one with all the other bells and whistles?

So all of a sudden you have to rethink everything, the newer nicer fishfinders have built in chartplotters and you can overlay radar and connect autopilot, so back to pondering if i really need it that bad...
Per is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2011, 06:59 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Jim Spence's Avatar
 
City: Full time cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Eagle
Vessel Model: Californian 50' Cockpit M/V
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 180
RE: Chart plotter anguish

I prefer multiple separate systems. I am not a fan of single point failure.
Jim Spence is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2011, 09:23 AM   #14
Guru
 
Codger2's Avatar
 
City: San Diego
Vessel Name: Circuit Breaker
Vessel Model: 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,691
Chart plotter anguish

Quote:
Per wrote:
.......so back to pondering if I really need it that bad...
* * * ** That's really the question isn't it.* We, except for the pros who make their living on

******** the water, don't really need any of the bells & whistles, including the boat!


-- Edited by SeaHorse II on Saturday 7th of May 2011 10:24:35 AM
Codger2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2011, 09:00 PM   #15
Moderator Emeritus
 
Pineapple Girl's Avatar
 
City: San Jose, CA
Vessel Name: Pineapple Girl 3
Vessel Model: Silverton 38c
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,171
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Quote:
SeaHorse II wrote:Per wrote:
.......so back to pondering if I really need it that bad...
* * * ** That's really the question isn't it.* We, except for the pros who make their living on

******** the water, don't really need any of the bells & whistles, including the boat!



LOL but it sure is fun, including buying toys for the toy!* What do people who don't have boats DO with their spare time??*
Pineapple Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2011, 03:23 AM   #16
Guru
 
Tidahapah's Avatar
 
City: Mooloolaba
Vessel Name: Flora
Vessel Model: Timber southern cray boat
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,859
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Just waste it
Tidahapah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2011, 10:12 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Larry H's Avatar
 
City: Pacific Northwest
Vessel Name: Jacari Maru
Vessel Model: 2014 Ranger Tug R-27
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 359
RE: Chart plotter anguish

I purchased Coastal Explorer and a Com Nav autopilot and used them last summer. Now that I have CE providing steering info to the Com Nav auto pilot, the high level of attention to maintaining a course is reduced and I can monitor the radar, depth and VHF's better.

I was always a paper chart and compass navigator. Then I got GPS and started using waypoint navigation. Now, the labor of making a route and entering waypoints is muchly reduced. I always preached against letting the chart plotter steer the boat, but Coastal Explorer and Com Nav together steer a more accurate course than I ever could.

I do have two backup computers that can be substituted for the main, and I maintain courses and waypoints in a separate Furuno GPS. I also still get out the paper charts every day and verify that the courses steered agree with the magnetic compass.

There is a learning curve with the nav system, but overall, I am enjoying them and would not go back to the old way. Large ship captains have a helmsman, I have 'Otto' (the autopilot), to do the steering. Those same captains have a navigator, I have Coastal Explorer to mind the course and tell the helmsman where to steer. With the 'crew' keeping the boat on course, I can monitor the radar, depth, engine instruments, VHF's, AIS positions, and still enjoy the view.
Larry H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2011, 10:24 AM   #18
Guru
 
Codger2's Avatar
 
City: San Diego
Vessel Name: Circuit Breaker
Vessel Model: 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,691
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Quote:
Larry H wrote:
I have 'Otto' (the autopilot), to do the steering.
******** We used to call the autopilot "Iron Mike."

******* Welcome to the 21rst century!
Codger2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2011, 12:08 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Larry H's Avatar
 
City: Pacific Northwest
Vessel Name: Jacari Maru
Vessel Model: 2014 Ranger Tug R-27
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 359
RE: Chart plotter anguish

Quote:

Quote:
I have 'Otto' (the autopilot), to do the steering.
******* " We used to call the autopilot "Iron Mike."

****** " Welcome to the 21rst century!"

Coastal Explorer uses the Microsoft voice called 'Anna' to anounce waypoint arrival and new course, shallow water ahead, possible colisions based on AIS data, and has settings in the program as to which to have 'her' report.** It is reassuring to me to hear 'her' announce the waypoint arrival and the new course, feel the boat turn onto the new course, and then to visually verify the new course on the compass!

The Star Trek Enterprise mode of full voice command cannot be too far in the future.

*
Larry H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2011, 01:58 PM   #20
Guru
 
Tidahapah's Avatar
 
City: Mooloolaba
Vessel Name: Flora
Vessel Model: Timber southern cray boat
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,859
RE: Chart plotter anguish

I must admit that is the one thing I will not submit to. Plotter controled auto pilot.
If a course change is not made or wrong at least i only have myself to blame.
It is too easy to get distracted and not check at the relevant time.
Just my 2 c worth.
Tidahapah is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Commercial Chart Plotter or PC Restitution Electrical and Electronics & Navigation 28 04-20-2012 01:37 AM
Garmin Blue Chip chart upgrades Annapolis Jim Electrical and Electronics & Navigation 2 09-29-2011 07:38 AM
Lap top chart plotting skipperdude Electrical and Electronics & Navigation 34 12-11-2010 06:46 AM
laptop GPS for MAC or PC + chart software Woodsong Electrical and Electronics & Navigation 11 11-02-2010 06:47 AM
Inland Coastal Chart books restroot Classifieds Archive - Closed To New Posts 0 08-19-2010 04:41 AM

» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012