Digital charts

[blootac]

Sorry, probably should have started here before posting in the Launch / Slipways & Information forum.
I'm considering either
memory-map charts (one off £50 for uk charts, downloadable to windows and mobile devices but no updates)
or
Visitmyharbour.co.uk (one off £25 for lifetime updates, but they aren't to be used for navigation)

I'd have thought that both are sufficient for my sibbing use.

Memory map http://www.memory-map.co.uk/mm-marine/
Pros:

• It's offline and can be used for plotting

• Works on multiple (but limited number of) devices

Cons:

• Twice the price of visitmyharbour

• No free updates

visitmyharbour http://www.visitmyharbour.com/
Pros:

• One off 'lifetime' fee

• free updates

• cheaper

Cons:

• Not navigable charts

• Requires either printing or caching offline before using

Any thoughts?

[blootac]

Just seen if you register for http://trailzilla.com/ (owned by memory map) it looks like you can get 10% off the memory maps

[Paul]

Hmmm
Read both your threads and both the deals seem good but I'm not sure what you are after by way of navigation to fit your needs
I'm personally trying to move away from carrying anything on the SIB which could be damaged by water after I nearly 'drowned' a brand new £500 smart phone last season I'm still going to take along my mobile phone as a back-up but within a water tight tupperware container

What are you after in the way of navigation and you needs as I recall you intend visiting many UK locations

Paul

[blootac]

I've got the Samsung s5 so not worried about water damage. (I've also got a waterproof carrier but is not needed as the phone is waterproof and insured)

we've never had charts so I guess I'm not sure what I'm after. I guess I'd use them more for planning than as a plotter but the ability to use them at sea potentially with no Internet definitely has a bonus.

I'm leaning towards the memory maps at the moment. They seem to be £25 or £30 to upgrade so even an upgrade every other year or so isn't a huge outlay and it's not as if ive got a huge draught!

[Paul]

TBH I'd only refer to the chart to familiarise yourself with the area and that's about it because of varying water depth and you won't know your exact position on the map without a GPS
Despite our SIBs having a very shallow draught I've run into some mud flats and hit some rocks with the outboard using charts as it's so difficult to exactly know your position and water depth
I've now treated myself to a Lowrance chart plotter/fish finder to hopefully overcome this issue as it can be quite a heart stopping moment when you run aground and besides the cost of a new prop or repairs to the skeg or boat won't be cheap
If you're going to visit many different unknown locations I think this bit of kit is a must have

Paul

[Martin]

I'm kinda with you on this one Paul, I've been looking at the Lowrance Elite4 Hdi myself, looks a cracking bit of kit and certainly impressed the totally awesome fishing show (TAF-Show)
I know it has inbuilt maps, but only basic, if we can find a way of obtaining cheaper maps, then this would be totally awesome lol.. The whole elite thing seems superb, maps, depth, fish finding, gps, water temp ... It appears to have all you need and some
I'll certainly be following your lead on this one and having a good old shifty at your box of tricks in March at the Solent outing.
Which may I add, will be here shortly

[blootac]

Likewise Paul, i'll be having a good look over your setup which sounds very nice!
Can't wait for March!

[blootac]

Paul, how do you power your plotter? Are you an electric start or have an alternator? I have neither so I'm immediately limited to handheld, or hiding a battery somewhere.

I won't buy anything till I see your setup but think I might go with the memory maps. My phone or whatever tablet I have is effectively a plotter then, just without the depth sounder which while isn't ideal is significantly more than i currently have!

[Martin]

My idea would be to run the plotter off my portable power pack (ring 12/24v 40Ah battery pack)
It's very portable, not too heavy, it'll power the bravo pump to inflate the boat 3 or 4 times without problem, charge phones, power lights and act as a base power station if we do any overnight gatherings as a forum outing.
Lowrance do have a power pack for the plotter but at a price
I also checked out the charge rate (volts/amps) from my suzuki DT9, it's very miminal but it does "out power" over 3000rpm.

[Paul B]

I have a full set of paper charts for the west coast of Scotland , which are great for a look at the areas I'm planning to visit, but once out on the water I use my garmin 451 with the latest blue charts upgrade on the mapping, so far I've found it really good as it shows the majority of danger areas and with the blue charts you also get actual photos of points of interest, the actual unit is a few years old now and I bet you can get far better ones

A good thing on mine is it actually shows the contours of the sea bed as well so it's quite useful when looking for possible fishing spots , and also shows all previous routes you've taken, so if you get caught out in bad visibility you can follow your track back easily,