Chart plotters- vhs

[mick]

I have the SH 12" it's old school now but does a fine job and it also does the split screen.

[whitstablerib]

Originally Posted by willk

In terms for bang for yer buck - Garmin 750S (S=sounder onboard)

These are out of production but still for sale. 7" landscape touchscreen, charts onboard, sounder onboard, RADAR ready.

There are very good deals going at the moment. Linky

The plotter only verson, the 750 is a bit cheaper at £590.

They're a good size for a 6.5m RIB.

Thanks very much

[Daniel]

Two limitations worth noting with the garmin 750 as suggested above (1) touch screen only - not convinced on an open rib myself and (2) radar functions are limited. Particulary no marpa functionality.

The 551 is fantastic value. You won't find a cheaper 5" plotter with charts built it and nmea2000 too if you want to connect up to engine or fuel data.

The screen is small, but you'll spend twice as much for anything bigger, quite literally.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Daniel

The screen is small, but you'll spend twice as much for anything bigger, quite literally.

Yes, but the OP considers the 551 to be too small, hence my suggestion

[Daniel]

I think I'd rater have a 5" button plotter than a 7" touch screen on an open rib.

Although I have a 14" plotter on the ribtec, I am now proud owner of an open rib again and in the same market, and same predicament. I don't really want to spend £1500 on an 8" button controlled garmin/raymarine/simrad but think the 551 is too small but really there is nothing in between that isn't touch.

New 751 is hybrid touch, but nearly £900 I believe. Haven't seen one yet.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Daniel

I think I'd rater have a 5" button plotter than a 7" touch screen on an open rib.

How has your experience of the touchscreens on open RIBs been? The couple of users I've spoken too have been more than happy with them. Of course, they might be biased/lying

[Razorbill RIBs]

My tow penneth, for what its worth, is to have a look at the Gen 1 (non touchscreen) Lowrance HDS kit.... there seem to be some good deals out there since Gen 2

I too agree that touchscreen wouldn't suit our needs.... In fact, I seriously struggle to use anything touchscreen on the boats.... Trimble tablet, phone etc..... Plus I always seem to have filthy hands when I come to use...... Buttons for me too

[ShinyShoe]

Does it not depend what touch screen technology is in use?

Capacitive - what your iPad uses. Considered the best for tablets etc. But completely useless if a drop of water on it because the drop is interpreted as a finger and appears not to move or apply pressure.

Resistive - senses movement in the plastic film through changes in its resistance. So no current flows. Its less responsive so you wouldn't want to type an email on one. BUT if you have a resistive screen on a plotter it may be fine when wet?

[Daniel]

I'm still looking... the simrad NSS 7 has come right down in price, under £700 now. Its a 7" hybrid touch and is sonar ready.

Hybrid means you will need to use it as a touchscreen to plan a route / waypoint etc, but zoom in and out and page selection can be done from the limited keypad.

Its a real shame the 8" version is twice the price

Wilk - I don't have any experience of touch plotter technology on an open RIB, but I do on a yacht and personally feel it wont work for me with wet hands and/or gloves both of which seam a common occurrence on a rib...

[biffer]

I've got a couple of Raymarine E80, pm me if you're interested

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by biffer

I've got a couple of Raymarine E80, pm me if you're interested

You wouldn't happen to have a spare sun cover kicking about would you?

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

You wouldn't happen to have a spare sun cover kicking about would you?

Sorry dave both attached to inits

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by biffer

Sorry dave both attached to inits

No worries, worth an ask

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

No worries, worth an ask

Got a radome or a transducer for it

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by biffer

Got a radome or a transducer for it

Not sure if you're asking or offering, but I've got both thanks (if you're offering)

On second thoughts, if you're offering, which radome is it, conventional or the HD broadband?

[biffer]

Convertional