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Chartplotters & Electronic Navigation - Information

Welcome to our information pages on purchasing and using Chartplotters, GPS, fishfinders, sonar, Radar and AIS systems. The modern boat has access to all kinds of navigation aids & electronic wizardry that give the yachtsman a reliable and clear indication of where he is, where he is going, whats underneath, in front and even around the headland from him. These electronic navigation aids are not a substitute for knowledge and navigational skill, but they offer the navigator the clearest indication of his surroundings to effect safe and quick passage.

As with technologies for PC's & TV's, modern navigational electronics are sleek, reliable, user friendly and fast when compared to their predecessors. Similarly, the relative price of new technologies and better, more accurate systems has also fallen, and even the basic models now boast features previously only found on larger and more expensive ranges.

Here at Network Yacht Chandlers, we are well aware that selecting and using these devices can be challenging and hope that some of the information here will assist you in making an informed choice when purchasing a Plotter, fishfinder or complete navigation system for your boat. Being one of the more expensive purchases you may make, we try and ensure that you are fully informed of your options and are confident in the purchase you make and who you purchase from..

If you are considering purchasing any of the aforementioned products and would like advice or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or e-mail and we'll help where we can.

To browse our selection of electronics and navigation equipment, click on one of the links below:

Garmin Marine Electronics

Raymarine Marine Electronics

GPS Systems & Plotters

Fishfinders & Depthsounders

Radar - Radomes and Open Arrays

Radar Cables and Mounting Options

GPS & Chartplotters
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a means to locate your position on the Earth's surface by calculating your relative distance from Geo-Stationary satellites. By fixiing your GPS antennae position this way, you can then display your position as lat/long, log your position relastive to other known points (waypoints), or overlay your position onto a known map/chart (chartplotting). This technology is widely used throughout transport but most helpful to the mariner who may have few points of reference by which to navigate and/or limited visibility.

The GPS, or Chartplotter as it is widley known, is therefore one of the most beneficial and hence important pieces of kit on the boat. Care should be taken into choosing the plotter/system that suits your size of boat and your navigational expertise.

Your first choice is whether to have a standalone plotter, a dual dispay version (usually plotter & fishfinder), or opt for a multifunction display in which you can add further features and information.
 GPS & Chartplotters
Chartplotters
- The standalone GPS can vary from a simple handheld device with no chart overlay (just coordinates) to a 7"-8" 256 colour display permanently mounted to your helm. Many mariners have a hadnheld GPS as an emergency/back-up device for when main systems fail or to confirm data from them. If your navigational needs are simple, or you wish to have seperate systems for chartplotting and depth etc., this is the preferred choice. Most fixed versions nowadays are chartplotters with embedded charts or use porogrammable cards to overlay charts with points of interest, tidal flows etc., and the majority are also colour LCD displays as this technology has plummeted in price recently. Choose a suitable size screen for your boat - too small and it will be unworkable - too large and it will clutter your dash and detract from your helm view.

- Dual displays are similar to standalone units but with additional inputs to allow display of fishfinder data onthe same screen. There are obvious advantages to this such as keeping the number of instruments installed to a minimum and a cost benefit from ony having one unit. Drawbacks are that both data displays share a single screen so smaller screens limit the available display availabel for each use, though all offer options to just display one or other of the information inputs.
 Chartplotters
Multifunction Displays
- Multifunction displays - as the name suggests offer multiple display of data and are essentially just a screen and processor to which additional sensors/transducers can be attached. They have a minimum 8" display which is of high quality and most can be linked to other display units as part of the elctronic navigational "Network" on your boat. All offer chrtplotter functionality, some with internal GPS sensors and others needing external GPS antennae to enable this. From there, you can add fishfinder, depth, wind, radar, AIS and even CCTV inputs to give you all manner of information on your display. The Network capabilities also mean that the information can be shared between 2 or more screens/displays - ideal for dual helm stations (lower helm/flybridge) or on medium - large sized yachts (cockpit/chart table).

The versatility and power of this type of system also lends itself to more dynamic and intelligent chartplotting features. With the additional of location-specific chart software available on programmable data cards (similar to the type used in digital cameras), users can not only overlay their postion on a chart, but look at 3D images of their surroundings, both above and below the water, synchronise radar and AIS feeds onto their charts and even see satellite imagery of points of interest and ports they are visiting. The very latest incarnations of these instruments have touchscreen user interfaces for simplicity of use and are reasonably future-proof with connections and processors capable of interfacing with the latest and future technologies like Thermal imaging cameras and wireless capabilities.

When choosing a multifunction display, look at its features and connectivity. Size is important, and the larger the display, the easier it is to use, but consider where it will be installed and how much it will cost you! Some are packaged with included cables, antennaes etc. which can make setting up easier and cheaper, though with a little advice and knowledge, it is quite easy to build your own system and necessary cabling etc.
 Multifunction Displays