Chart plotter and Navionics, who uses them?

[Wave34]

On my boat, I have a Garmin 720 that I think is quite old. It has only the base maps, no auto-routing.

So, I bought a tablet and Navionics.
I like the Navionics software. But I don't like the tablet.
If I remove the boat top, the sun will over heat the tablet and it shuts down.
The glare on the screen makes it hard to read.
The capacitive touch screen is too sensitive to work with when driving.

I would like to have my Garmin to do auto-routing, but I see that I have to buy the G2 Bluechart maps that is like $400Cnd only for a region. So, $400 for the St-Lawrence seaway, $400 for Ontario lakes, another $400 for lake Champlain etc.

From the Navionics compatibility chart, I see that Garmin is not supported.

So, is my only option to buy a new chart plotter?

Is the software in chart plotters for auto-routing comparable or better than Navionics?

 

[dingbat]

Garmin owns Navionics. Bought them last Spring.

Most Garmin units come a complete set of maps.

Auto-routing is only avaiable on G2 charts

 

[Wave34]

Garmin owns Navionics. Bought them last Spring.

Most Garmin units come a complete set of maps.

Auto-routing is only avaiable on G2 charts

But, the G2 charts are expensive and cover only a small region. I would have to spend $5K to have the same coverage as Navionics with auto routing.

Since Garmin bought Navionics, may be I should wait to see if Navionics will develop maps for my model... Or my model is too old...

BTW, someone knows when the 720 was introduced.
Does it worth it to spend money on it to upgrade it, or the new chart plotters offer a lot more, better screen etc??

 

[dingbat]

But, the G2 charts are expensive and cover only a small region. I would have to spend $5K to have the same coverage as Navionics with auto routing.

Since Garmin bought Navionics, may be I should wait to see if Navionics will develop maps for my model... Or my model is too old...

BTW, someone knows when the 720 was introduced.
Does it worth it to spend money on it to upgrade it, or the new chart plotters offer a lot more, better screen etc??

Why the fascination with auto-routing?

I have Vision charts (waste of money) on both chart plotters. Have not used the auto-routing function in 3 years. Might be good for lakes, but wouldn't trust in in coastal waters where bars and channels move on a "per storm" basis.

The 720 was released in 2009-2010 time frame. Support was discontinued in 2015

FWIW: my primary chart plotter is a GPSMAP 4208 circa 2006. Much prefer it over it's 2017 backup

 

[Wave34]

Why the fascination with auto-routing?

I have Vision charts (waste of money) on both chart plotters. Have not used the auto-routing function in 3 years. Might be good for lakes, but wouldn't trust in in coastal waters where bars and channels move on a "per storm" basis.

The 720 was released in 2009-2010 time frame. Support was discontinued in 2015

FWIW: my primary chart plotter is a GPSMAP 4208 circa 2006. Much prefer it over it's 2017 backup

Well, the reason I want auto-routing is I am often in rivers and the channels are sometimes narrow (excavation dumped on each side) plus, I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, but sometimes I can't see buoy that are far, so auto routing keeps me in the deepest sections.

Also, if I navigate to a specific place, auto route will tell me the fastest and safest route based on the size of my boat.

 

[dingbat]

Well, the reason I want auto-routing is I am often in rivers and the channels are sometimes narrow (excavation dumped on each side) plus, I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, but sometimes I can't see buoy that are far, so auto routing keeps me in the deepest sections.

Also, if I navigate to a specific place, auto route will tell me the fastest and safest route based on the size of my boat.

Your putting an awful lot of faith into products where the supplier adds disclaimers to the content and accuracy of their products.

Marine and lakes Products are designed to provide ancillary aid to navigation by facilitating the use of authorized government charts, not to replace such charts. Only official government charts and notices to mariners contain all information needed for safe navigation. The user is responsible for the prudent use of Products. Any track generated by electronic charts, autorouting software or similar tools are basic suggestions for route planning only and must not be used for direct navigation.

https://www.navionics.com/usa/la

The age and accuracy of data on nautical charts can vary. Depth information on nautical charts, paper or digital, is based on data from the latest available hydrographic survey, which in many cases may be quite old. In too many cases, the data is more than 150 years old. Sometimes, particularly in Alaska, the depth measurements are so old that they may have originated from Captain Cook in 1778.

Mariners need to know if data is old. They need to understand the capabilities and the limitations of the chart. In particular, the mariner should understand that nautical chart data, especially when it is displayed on navigation systems and mobile apps, possess inherent accuracy limitations.

https://noaacoastsurvey.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/how-accurate-are-nautical-charts/

 

[Scott Danforth]

down here we have signs that read "depth sounder and local knowledge required" because the charts are obsolete a day after they take the readings (about 6 months prior to publishing)

 

[Wave34]

Your putting an awful lot of faith into products where the supplier adds disclaimers to the content and accuracy of their products.



https://www.navionics.com/usa/la



https://noaacoastsurvey.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/how-accurate-are-nautical-charts/

Let's say I want auto routing for the whole north america, what would be the best option at a reasonable cost?
(planning trips in Qc, On, NY, NJ, FL).

Use my tablet and Navionics with all the drawback of using a tablet outside in the sun near water?

Upgrade my old GPS: not high tech, and costly.

Buy a new GPS with all maps and auto routing; suggestions please.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

3rd option from above. The 7 series unit you have is like most electronics, obsolete and disposable. The Android phone I bought 12 months ago started acting up and the guy I bought it from tells me a few weeks ago that it's obsolete. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! The same goes for Marine electronics and charts. Just like a car I want to drive it not vise versa, same goes for my boat. If you can't see a buoy in the water from a safe distance you might want to think twice about what and what you can't do anymore. I know I have.

 

[Wave34]

3rd option from above. The 7 series unit you have is like most electronics, obsolete and disposable. The Android phone I bought 12 months ago started acting up and the guy I bought it from tells me a few weeks ago that it's obsolete. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! The same goes for Marine electronics and charts. Just like a car I want to drive it not vise versa, same goes for my boat. If you can't see a buoy in the water from a safe distance you might want to think twice about what and what you can't do anymore. I know I have.

I would prefer option 3 for the new technology of course. Time to look at what is on the market and if I have to trade a kidney for one.
I would like one that can support Navionics, for the community updates, and continuous chart update also.

I'm not that old LOL. I still have a 20/20 vision. It's just that when I don't know a place, buoy that are very far get lost in the dew, or water reflection. The chart plotter is useful then.

 

[dingbat]

I would like one that can support Navionics, for the community updates, and continuous chart update also

Ever seen a Navionics survey vessel on the water? Ever seen a Navionics survey vessel, period?

Here is an exercise for you. Go to the NOAA map website and look up the “offical” maps of your area. Now look at the map’s nomenclature to find the “source data” noting the date(s) the area was last surveyed. Unless the area is heavily traveled by commercial vessels, you’ll find that most areas have not been surveyed in decades.

Here is a map of my local area. One of the east coast most heavily traveled commercial and military waterways.

Notice the map is comprised of data going back to pre-1900’s. The last update was done 6 years ago...
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12264.shtml

 

[Scott Danforth]

since Hurricane Michael ran up the gulf coast of Florida. all the charts are near useless because all the channels in the ICW will have moved - some by 300'. so what is the point of auto-routing. local knowledge is still required. rely on your depth finder and a good pair of polarized sun glasses so you can see the bottom. the chart is still a suggestion.