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Note: All prices in US Dollars
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Chart plotting goes back as far as the original explorers and cartographers. As soon as man was able to travel he
needed a map and he also needed to keep track of where he was on the map. Not all that long ago, for some of us,
electronic chartplotters were large commercial machines that allowed the user to “plot” by entering his position on an
electronic map. The first truly automatic electronic chartplotter used Loran C to enter the vessel’s position on a map that
was usually oriented North up.
The electronics revolution has had no greater impact in the marine industry than on the Chartplotter. The advent of the GPS receiver, fast processor, cheap memory, and color screen has created a machine that is truly a marvel. Today when a customer says GPS, he almost always means GPS Chartplotter with mapping capability and he doesn’t think twice about all the features that it includes. GPS Receivers... almost every manufacturer selling GPS Chartplotters is using twelve (or more) channel receivers that also use the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) or Satellite Differential as it is sometimes known. This breakthrough technology enhances the accuracy of the position data to within 5 meters more than 95% of the time. Best of all, the signal comes from the satellites themselves and does not require a second receiver. This makes the technology so affordable that even the most inexpensive units boast accuracy that rivals the best units five years ago. Internal GPS antennas… work as well as their remote cousins. They provide a distinct advantage to small open boats by eliminating the need to run a separate antenna. This is particularly helpful for small bass boats where lines can snag or family boats where children will use the antenna as a hand-hold. They can also be a great back-up on the fly bridge. Generally these units will have no problem maintaining an accurate fix through Bimini tops, but they should not be used on vessels with enclosed cabins. Screens… the price and high quality of screens today make color machines the odds on favorite. Black and white maps are functional, but they cannot convey the same level of detail that color maps do with just a quick glance. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t go buy a big screen TV in black and white to save a buck. It’s best to guide the customer to the right size color screen that fits his budget. Cartography... the latest trend in plotters is the push to sell units with built-in mapping for the entire United States. Most of these units do not provide the same level of detail as an external chart card for a dedicated area. Knowing this, Manufacturers generally build their machines with the capability to also accept external chart cards from one of the major cartography companies. For the vast majority of customers, the dedicated chart will provide better coverage and an easier way to upgrade down the road. |
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