Recommendations for chartplotter / fish finder combos.
Discussion
I have parted ways with my wooden sailboat and bought a plastic Shetland. I'm looking for the above, I've had a good look through the web at all the different options for my new motorboat. It's all a bit overwhelming, theres so much choice and trademarked named functions that I cant make head nor take of. I need assistance cutting through the fog.
I'm a little bit of a technophobe so I am wanting to hear peoples personal experiences, I'm looking at ease of use most importantly along with accuracy etc... I like the idea of one that is expandable i.e. can be linked to a modern outboard or out drive and display info, link to the radio etc that sort of thing.
I've found this one but I dont understand most of the blurb. I like it but that is simply because it looks cool.
https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Garmin/Echomap-Plus-...
Any advice would be great it's only a little boat around 22ft but I'm looking to take it with me to my next boat which will be substantially bigger.
Thanks.
Ian
I'm a little bit of a technophobe so I am wanting to hear peoples personal experiences, I'm looking at ease of use most importantly along with accuracy etc... I like the idea of one that is expandable i.e. can be linked to a modern outboard or out drive and display info, link to the radio etc that sort of thing.
I've found this one but I dont understand most of the blurb. I like it but that is simply because it looks cool.
https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Garmin/Echomap-Plus-...
Any advice would be great it's only a little boat around 22ft but I'm looking to take it with me to my next boat which will be substantially bigger.
Thanks.
Ian
That unit is more than capable for personal use, which I assume it is. I've fitted plotters in the 'budget' range to a number of light commercial users, so from a durability point of view, they are very good.
Garmin does seem to be the preferred manufacturer, and I must say they are quite easy to get to grips with compared to Raymarine, Simrad and others related. Admittedly, the professional ranges are vastly superior to what you're looking at, but you'll only use a small percentage of its capabilities, so pointless for pottering about with.
The clarity of the sonar signature shown on the display even with a basic transom mount transducer will be perfectly acceptable for normal use, but you do need to select the correct type of power and beam pattern for your intended use. Dont get too hung up on words like CHIRP / Clear Vü / buzzword this that and the other, it is simply that. There are differences in technology, but again, for the casual user...See a typical transom mounted unit linked below -
http://www.airmar.com/productdescription.html?id=7...
The 65cv will run up to 500W, so you can pair it with any transducer rated at or below. It also supports NMEA2000 which is the industry standard for marine communications between marine devices of many differing manufacturers as they all support the same protocol. So assuming you have an engine which can deliver status signals, you can create a very simple NMEA2000 network to make this work.
You can also integrate it with a VHF / AIS unit via the NMEA system too. The radio will send the AIS data to the plotter enabling you to plot positions assuming they are not running covertly.
Overall, it's a nice bit of kit, and I bet that if you did buy it, you don't use 90% of the functions
Forgot to mention - a lot of people complain about poor resolution and drop-out of the sonar return...they are not designed to be used at anything much more than trolling speeds unless you opt for much more expensive high speed high powered transducers which that unit does not support. If you can fit a thru-hull or on-hull type, these are generally better performers than transom mount due to potential aeration and turbulence at the trailing edge of the hull. All dependant on budget, hull construction and can I be arsed of course!
Garmin does seem to be the preferred manufacturer, and I must say they are quite easy to get to grips with compared to Raymarine, Simrad and others related. Admittedly, the professional ranges are vastly superior to what you're looking at, but you'll only use a small percentage of its capabilities, so pointless for pottering about with.
The clarity of the sonar signature shown on the display even with a basic transom mount transducer will be perfectly acceptable for normal use, but you do need to select the correct type of power and beam pattern for your intended use. Dont get too hung up on words like CHIRP / Clear Vü / buzzword this that and the other, it is simply that. There are differences in technology, but again, for the casual user...See a typical transom mounted unit linked below -
http://www.airmar.com/productdescription.html?id=7...
The 65cv will run up to 500W, so you can pair it with any transducer rated at or below. It also supports NMEA2000 which is the industry standard for marine communications between marine devices of many differing manufacturers as they all support the same protocol. So assuming you have an engine which can deliver status signals, you can create a very simple NMEA2000 network to make this work.
You can also integrate it with a VHF / AIS unit via the NMEA system too. The radio will send the AIS data to the plotter enabling you to plot positions assuming they are not running covertly.
Overall, it's a nice bit of kit, and I bet that if you did buy it, you don't use 90% of the functions
Forgot to mention - a lot of people complain about poor resolution and drop-out of the sonar return...they are not designed to be used at anything much more than trolling speeds unless you opt for much more expensive high speed high powered transducers which that unit does not support. If you can fit a thru-hull or on-hull type, these are generally better performers than transom mount due to potential aeration and turbulence at the trailing edge of the hull. All dependant on budget, hull construction and can I be arsed of course!
Edited by Racing Sparrow on Saturday 22 August 22:43
Thanks for that very detailed reply. I appreciate you taking the time to type that so I could understand it.
The places I'm usually pottering around I know very well and dont have much need for this bit of kit. But currently not having any of this limits me to those places of safety I know so well so you're correct in your assessment of the usage. However as i get better boats I'd expect to use it more and more going forward.
Your reply seemed very focused on the fish finding/ sonar side of things, do most of these different brands support a common chart system or are they all different? I.e. can I choose my map provider?
Finally, how much power do these things eat? I've not taken delivery of this boat yet or even seen it so unsure weather it already has a method of charging a battery or not. I would expect to get a 12v supply from the out board when running (40hp yamaha from the 90's) and a nasa 40w panel or similar. The plan is to acquire a modern 4 stroke with a view to taking it with me to the next boat if needed.
Many thanks.
The places I'm usually pottering around I know very well and dont have much need for this bit of kit. But currently not having any of this limits me to those places of safety I know so well so you're correct in your assessment of the usage. However as i get better boats I'd expect to use it more and more going forward.
Your reply seemed very focused on the fish finding/ sonar side of things, do most of these different brands support a common chart system or are they all different? I.e. can I choose my map provider?
Finally, how much power do these things eat? I've not taken delivery of this boat yet or even seen it so unsure weather it already has a method of charging a battery or not. I would expect to get a 12v supply from the out board when running (40hp yamaha from the 90's) and a nasa 40w panel or similar. The plan is to acquire a modern 4 stroke with a view to taking it with me to the next boat if needed.
Many thanks.
Edited by Roverload on Sunday 23 August 15:12
You're welcome, happy to help.
The charts built into the plotter software are very basic and give an approximation of the topography, so although not bad for casual use, it's for very basic reference only, so the purchase of an SD card with the latest chart is an absolute no-brainer in my view, I'm sure in yours too considering you want to spend a little cash on improving your overall experience.
Each manufacturer will have their own mapping software supplied on a micro-SD, so make sure to get a compatible card as I'm quite sure they are not interchangeable, although I've never tried to do that. Thinking back, I don't recall any stark contrast in the look and feel of the charts between manufacturer's, obviously larger screens will display more detail for a given area, but that Garmin is very acceptable.
You'll not be disappointed in having to spend a little extra for a chart, the level of navigation detail is impressive if you've not seen a plotter in action before. It'll benefit greatly if you're wanting to venture into new waters too, as an up-to-date chart will reflect current conditions with regards to navigational aids and the depths of water at particular points. These will and do change, so its important to keep your charts current. I think you can subscribe and download updates.
I'm certainly not preaching or scare-mongering here, and I've been in a couple of heart-in-mouth moments through misplanning, but a final point on the charts and a question to ask yourself; do I pay for updates and study my surroundings, or shall I mush into a nice sandbar this afternoon? Or worse, there was a young girl who died when the RIB she was a passenger on collided with a nav-aid in the Solent yesterday. Not saying a fancy chart will prevent this, but it's a tool the safe and commited pilot should have.
Power usage, the 9" model draws 1.5A max which is very low in the scheme of things, so I'm guessing that's accounting for the sonar in operation too. This is pretty much negligible if you have a healthy battery. I'm not sure what your setup is regarding the electrical system, but the simplest way the battery derives charge is via the same cable that supplies the starter solenoid (if that makes sense) With a little engine, you most likely have a 'lighting coil' which can power low current stuff too.
Happy to advise if you're unsure on your setup, even if it's knocking up a fag packet schematic for you to better understand the wiring involved.
The charts built into the plotter software are very basic and give an approximation of the topography, so although not bad for casual use, it's for very basic reference only, so the purchase of an SD card with the latest chart is an absolute no-brainer in my view, I'm sure in yours too considering you want to spend a little cash on improving your overall experience.
Each manufacturer will have their own mapping software supplied on a micro-SD, so make sure to get a compatible card as I'm quite sure they are not interchangeable, although I've never tried to do that. Thinking back, I don't recall any stark contrast in the look and feel of the charts between manufacturer's, obviously larger screens will display more detail for a given area, but that Garmin is very acceptable.
You'll not be disappointed in having to spend a little extra for a chart, the level of navigation detail is impressive if you've not seen a plotter in action before. It'll benefit greatly if you're wanting to venture into new waters too, as an up-to-date chart will reflect current conditions with regards to navigational aids and the depths of water at particular points. These will and do change, so its important to keep your charts current. I think you can subscribe and download updates.
I'm certainly not preaching or scare-mongering here, and I've been in a couple of heart-in-mouth moments through misplanning, but a final point on the charts and a question to ask yourself; do I pay for updates and study my surroundings, or shall I mush into a nice sandbar this afternoon? Or worse, there was a young girl who died when the RIB she was a passenger on collided with a nav-aid in the Solent yesterday. Not saying a fancy chart will prevent this, but it's a tool the safe and commited pilot should have.
Power usage, the 9" model draws 1.5A max which is very low in the scheme of things, so I'm guessing that's accounting for the sonar in operation too. This is pretty much negligible if you have a healthy battery. I'm not sure what your setup is regarding the electrical system, but the simplest way the battery derives charge is via the same cable that supplies the starter solenoid (if that makes sense) With a little engine, you most likely have a 'lighting coil' which can power low current stuff too.
Happy to advise if you're unsure on your setup, even if it's knocking up a fag packet schematic for you to better understand the wiring involved.
Thanks again. I'm a finisher in a traditional boatyard, I'm very familiar with paper charts etc as we do things the old way. Good fun and excellent practice but it means I am totally in the dark on these modern aids although we are seeing more yachts now packed to the beams with screens and canbus operating systems so we have to move with the times to a point. I'm pretty sure when this little thing gets delivered next week I will be the butt of many jokes but I dont care. I can't at this time entertain the idea of restoring another sailing boat until I have the room to do something much much easier than what I'm used to. My last boat was utterly terrifying more than 50% of the time so I'm looking forward to some sedate motor boating until a larger motorboat project falls into my lap. Which it will.
So the Garmin seems like a good shout, I've typed it into youtube and there seems to be a ton of helpful videos for me to trawl through now which is great.
Electrics wise I will have to wait to see what I've got and what I've not got when it's delivered. I took it as payment for a bit of paintwork on an old westerly and it looked good in the photos and from what the guy told me. I love the thrill of a new project.
Thanks very much for making that much more clearer for me.
Fair winds!
So the Garmin seems like a good shout, I've typed it into youtube and there seems to be a ton of helpful videos for me to trawl through now which is great.
Electrics wise I will have to wait to see what I've got and what I've not got when it's delivered. I took it as payment for a bit of paintwork on an old westerly and it looked good in the photos and from what the guy told me. I love the thrill of a new project.
Thanks very much for making that much more clearer for me.
Fair winds!
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