RE: Commercial Chart Plotter or PC
Personally, I wouldn't consider a boat, especially a cruising boat, to be complete without a navigation system. And I would take a chart plotter over radar any day.
I realize, not everyone shares my view so I suppose a PC based navigation system would work for some folks.
I operate from my flybridge 95% of the time and I don't think a PC would work well there. I would have no place to put it where I could see it, the display would not be readable in sunlight, and I doubt the PC would hold up to the elements for very long.
With my plotter, I like the ease of removing the cover, pressing the "on" button, selecting the route I created earlier at home, and just following it.
Yes, my system cost a few $$, but the cost was small compared to the cost of the boat. I have no regrets.
|