GPS Chart Plotters - PC or standalone?

*workaholic* ^(Premo) · 05-12-2008, 10:24 PM

OK I am looking at buying a GPS chartplotter for the boat this year. I am thinking I want something PC (Laptop) based so I can just bring my laptop with me, through out a GPS receiver and punch in where I want to go. Something that will give me real time location, Lat/Long, and all the good stuff I get on my chart books.

Does anyone have any recommendations or reasons why or why not to go with the PC based system?

*tyky* ^(Premo) · 05-12-2008, 11:15 PM

kom526 · 05-13-2008, 01:32 AM

Personally I'd go with a standalone Chartplotter, laptops and water don't mix too well.

Crow Bait · 05-13-2008, 07:26 AM

I agree with Kom. Plus most laptop screens are hard to read in the sun.

SPF001 · 05-13-2008, 08:03 AM

I have a Garmin. If you are going to be in the rivers get the blue charts pre loaded. They are very detailed and show bottom contours. I am still contemplating getting the XM weather feature to pick up storms but I am starting to get used to the radar and may not need that function.

SPF

RealDeale · 05-14-2008, 03:54 PM

Stand alone

*clevalley* ^(Premo) · 05-16-2008, 08:23 AM

Standalone - once you are out there trolling and the rain comes in you will wish that is what you have!

LordStanley · 05-16-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workaholic

OK I am looking at buying a GPS chartplotter for the boat this year. I am thinking I want something PC (Laptop) based so I can just bring my laptop with me, through out a GPS receiver and punch in where I want to go. Something that will give me real time location, Lat/Long, and all the good stuff I get on my chart books.

Does anyone have any recommendations or reasons why or why not to go with the PC based system?

I just bought a Standard Horizon CP180 plus a chart card for the whole US at thegpsstore.com.

Kom has a great point... Unless your boat has an enclosed Cockpit, your laptop will not be the best choice.

*workaholic* ^(Premo) · 05-18-2008, 10:33 PM

thanks for your inputs. I think I am going towards a standalone unit. I do have an enclosed cockpit and it would be protected from the elements. However I am thinking about rough seas and now maybe something that has an auto-pilot ability. That will definitely be nice for a few different occasions. (i.e.- when you have to go below to use the head or fix a drink. LOL) I have some research to do to see what model I want to go with. I will let you all know what unit I go with. Thanks.

*bcp* ^(Premo) · 05-19-2008, 07:58 AM

I plug my garmin into the PC and just do the charting there, I add waypoints and such.
I can program it to show underwater dangers, bouys, everything, even have all the fuel stops marked along the way.
Ive never had the need to bring a puter along with me since I pretty much know where Im going before I leave.

put your favorite fishing spots in as waypoints, then when you are on the water you just have to send it from one point to the other, everything is already programed that way.

05-12-2008, 10:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
workaholic ^(Premo) Does the week ever end? Member Since: Apr 2007 Location: The Dog House most of the time. Posts: 520	GPS Chart Plotters - PC or standalone? OK I am looking at buying a GPS chartplotter for the boat this year. I am thinking I want something PC (Laptop) based so I can just bring my laptop with me, through out a GPS receiver and punch in where I want to go. Something that will give me real time location, Lat/Long, and all the good stuff I get on my chart books. Does anyone have any recommendations or reasons why or why not to go with the PC based system?
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05-12-2008, 11:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
tyky ^(Premo) I Need a Life Member Since: Aug 2007 Location: Town Creek Posts: 1,106
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05-13-2008, 01:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
kom526 Exceedingly Average Member Since: Oct 2004 Location: Beyond the OB stakes Posts: 5,944	Personally I'd go with a standalone Chartplotter, laptops and water don't mix too well. __________________ Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been. http://www.conservativepunk.com http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndID=158073647
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05-13-2008, 07:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Crow Bait Registered User Member Since: May 2006 Posts: 667	I agree with Kom. Plus most laptop screens are hard to read in the sun. __________________ Catch a big one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBzZ1WECfXY
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05-13-2008, 08:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
SPF001 Registered User Member Since: Nov 2007 Posts: 53	I have a Garmin. If you are going to be in the rivers get the blue charts pre loaded. They are very detailed and show bottom contours. I am still contemplating getting the XM weather feature to pick up storms but I am starting to get used to the radar and may not need that function. SPF
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05-14-2008, 03:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
RealDeale Registered User Member Since: Jul 2007 Location: Deale MD Posts: 38	Stand alone
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05-16-2008, 08:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
clevalley ^(Premo) Go Skins!!! Member Since: Aug 2007 Location: Bryantown MD Posts: 7,746	Standalone - once you are out there trolling and the rain comes in you will wish that is what you have!
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05-18-2008, 10:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
workaholic ^(Premo) Does the week ever end? Member Since: Apr 2007 Location: The Dog House most of the time. Posts: 520	thanks for your inputs. I think I am going towards a standalone unit. I do have an enclosed cockpit and it would be protected from the elements. However I am thinking about rough seas and now maybe something that has an auto-pilot ability. That will definitely be nice for a few different occasions. (i.e.- when you have to go below to use the head or fix a drink. LOL) I have some research to do to see what model I want to go with. I will let you all know what unit I go with. Thanks.
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

05-19-2008, 07:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
bcp ^(Premo) me*Pan Lady Member Since: Dec 2005 Location: Davidsonville Posts: 12,916	I plug my garmin into the PC and just do the charting there, I add waypoints and such. I can program it to show underwater dangers, bouys, everything, even have all the fuel stops marked along the way. Ive never had the need to bring a puter along with me since I pretty much know where Im going before I leave. put your favorite fishing spots in as waypoints, then when you are on the water you just have to send it from one point to the other, everything is already programed that way. __________________ Question of the day,, or till someone reminds me Why can't you make another word using all the letters in "anagram"? avatar compliments of Dye Tye, whom was thinking of me while everyone else had forgotten. Dont you think it should be a smiliey? write and tell your admin today That special relationship between man and ewe should be his own business and not regulated by government law. http://forums.somd.com/attachments/c...cemvdbui1u.gif
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