Chartplotter Cartography - Comments....

El and Bill · Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 11:16 am Post subject:

A brief 2 cents -- we are heavily biased toward Garmin Blue Charts, expecially for folks who plan to cruise in different parts of the US. We have cruised with a friend who had both C-maps and Blue Charts on board (redundant systems) in Alaska -- Blue charts were FAR superior both in definition, number of contoured points, and accuracy of contouring. Absolutely no comparison - heads and shoulders, nay, whole upper torso, better.

Garmin is coming out (may be out now) with an integrated radar/chartplotter system - the 3,000 series - so one should check that out if you want to have the joint system. We have our radar (Furuno) separate from chartplotter (they can 'talk' through NMEA) and like that redundancy.

By the way, we have been cruising lakes in MO/AR/OK the past months, and Garmins lake charts off their fishing map series are spot on! We still have our props on due to their accuracy and clarity. If you want the very best, without compromises, Blue Chart is (in our opinion) far surperior to anyhting else around - bar none! How's that for 'fighting words?'

starcrafttom · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 12:03 am Post subject:

garmin has delaayed (again) the release of there new system for who knows how long. I am planning to have the c80 system becouse it is avalible and i beleive it will be cheaper then the garmin.

Sawdust · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 12:25 am Post subject:

And I personally think that the charts for the C80 are the equal of anything I've seen. But that's a personal opinion, and I'll sure agree the Garmin Blues are great. You won't be disappointed with the C80... it is a beautiful piece of gear.

Dusty

Island Ranger · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 10:10 pm Post subject: C-80 Display Upgrade

I installed the upgrade to my C-80 Display a couple weeks ago, (from version 1.21 to 2.12) and would highly recommend it. The two key advantages that I really appreciate - you get almost instant screen refresh when you change pages (don't have to wait for the chart to redraw), and you have the choice of 5 pages instead of 4.

It was easy and quick to install - and free. I downloaded the file from the Raymarine website, copied it onto a flash card, inserted it into the slot on the C-80 and followed the instructions on the screen. You do need to be able to copy the file from the Raymarine website onto a flash card to do it, but I'd be glad to mail my flash card to anyone if you want to save the trouble and expense.

Mac & Linda

Island Ranger · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 10:18 pm Post subject: Free Charts

Oh yea -

I also succeeded in finding charts to view on my home PC at no cost. NOAA makes their charts available in electronic download form, and there are shareware programs to view them. Not as fancy or easy as the Raymarine system, nor have I figured out a way to get the info from system to the other, but I'm working on it.

I find them useful to plan trips / cruises anywhere in the US (Great Lakes, Right Coast, Left Coast & Alaska and the Gulf).

I'd be glad to post more details if anyone is interested....

mac

Almas Only · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 10:34 pm Post subject:

I'm interested in the name of the shareware you're using for the NOAA downloads, and a link or two to the downloads.

We're planning to do some of the Great Circle, and would like to access these for that purpose.

Thanks in advance.

SeaSpray · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject:

Hi Mac,

I just downloaded the C80 update software, will try to install tomorrow. Can you give me more details on how to find the app that lets you upload waypoints? I could not find it under question 19.

Thanks,
Steve

Island Ranger · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 10:07 pm Post subject:

Hi Steve -

Try this web address for the transfer utility

http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Default.asp?site=1&Section=3&Page=900&Parent=3

Mac

>>>>>

Free C-Series Waypoint Transfer Utility

Question
Can I exchange waypoints between my PC and my C-Series display using the CompactFlash card?

Answer
Raymarine offers a free utility that can be used to transfer waypoints between any C-Series display and a PC running Microsoft Excel. the transfer is made using a CompactFlash memory card.

To use the utility you need the following:

PC running Microsoft Windows 98 or greater

Microsoft Excel 2000 or higher

CompactFlash Memory Card.
To ensure the integrity of your chart data, Raymarine does not recommend using the Navionics Gold chart card for this procedure.

CompactFlash reader/writer

>>>>>

Island Ranger · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 11:07 pm Post subject:

to get to the download site for NOAA charts, try:

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download.htm

It's a little wierd - you order the charts you want, but there is no charge!

Mac