Chart plotters, i.e. marine navigation devices that show an electronic chart on a display, were originally mainly used in large-scale shipping. They are now integrated into electronic information systems (ECDIS), which cover the entire ship management. Chart plotters have found their way into the recreational boating sector due to the sharp drop in prices in the 1990s and are now standard equipment on every charter yacht. We took a closer look at two of the current systems in the 9-inch range between €1,299 and €2,499 at this year’s boot in Düsseldorf.
Garmin Echomap UHD2 sv – Fishing like the locals
With the latest chartplotter series ECHOMAP UHD2 with touchscreen and additional button operation, Garmin is equipping its latest navigation devices. Thanks to ultra-high-resolution echo sounder images and support for LiveScope echo sounder systems, anglers should be able to find their way around unfamiliar waters like locals.
The 6, 7 and 9 inch touchscreen display is easy to read even in sunlight. With helpful functions such as zooming in and out on maps and quickly switching between echo sounder views, operating the chartplotter is simple and intuitive.
Safe navigation on the water is supported by the compatible Garmin Navionics+ and the premium Garmin Navionics Vision+ marine charts. Daily updates ensure that these are always up to date. Via the integrated WLAN, the map data as well as echo sounder data, waypoints and routes can be conveniently and wirelessly exchanged between two ECHOMAP UHD2 devices.
If an ECHOMAP UHD or an ECHOMAP Ultra chartplotter is already on board, the new ECHOMAP UHD2 can be easily integrated into the existing on-board system.
The marine cartography is available in bright colors and with an optimized user interface. A one-year subscription for daily updates ensures superior coverage of inland or coastal areas.
“With the extensive functionality and performance of the ECHOMAP UHD2 sv series, we meet all the demands that are expected today, especially when navigating and fishing,” says Dan Bartel from Garmin. Chart plotters should not only score points in known areas, they should be particularly convincing in waters where anglers are not familiar with.
In combination with a GT54UHD-TM or GT56UHD-TM transducers, the chart plotters with ClearVü and SideVü echo sounder functions provide high-contrast views that allow fish and structures to be clearly distinguished.
The new sv series offers the possibility to choose between 16 color palettes according to personal preference and fishing conditions. With the traditional Garmin echo sounder, fish arches are also displayed crystal clear.
ECHOMAP UHD2 devices also support LiveScope echo sounder systems. This allows real-time echo sounder images of fish and structures under and around the boat to be received at depths of up to 60 meters.
The new Auto Guidance+ function is particularly helpful when navigating. Based on draught, clearance, frequently traveled routes and chart data, the technology calculates dock-to-dock routes through canals, bays, harbors and more even faster.
To learn even more about the waters in which you are traveling, Garmin Navionics Vision+ premium cartography also offers relief shading, high-resolution satellite images, aerial photography and 3D images such as Fish Eye and Mariner Eye.
The ECHOMAP UHD2 series has a new, attractive design and at the same time relies on a classic touchscreen paired with button operation. Thanks to a clear, modern user interface and improved graphics, the chartplotter can be controlled particularly intuitively.
Additional convenience is provided by the redesigned quick-release mounting bracket, which makes it easy to take the device with you. Compared to previous models, the ECHOMAP UHD2 92sv also comes with improved resolution and readability from all viewing angles.
The new ECHOMAP UHD2 chartplotters are available from €1,299.99 (9-inch model), depending on the version.
Raymarine Axiom Pro2 – Sailing like the pros
The chartplotters of the currently presented AXIOM2 Pro series combine the most important functions such as chart navigation, radar, fishfinder, autopilot control, video and much more in a single device.
Thanks to the powerful 6-core processor installed, the LightHouse user interface is now even faster and smoother to operate, even in larger systems.
The devices are operated via touchscreen or keyboard control (HybridTouch). Every display in the AXIOM 2 Pro series is equipped with the HydroTough nano-coating. The coating is water and oil repellent and therefore offers touchscreen operation even when the display is wet or damp.
The backlight is automatically controlled by an ambient light sensor and therefore adapts to the current lighting conditions.
The new Axiom Pro2 should be of particular interest to sailors due to some useful functions
For sailors in particular, the LightHouse operating system offers a range of powerful functions: the Axiom Pro2 has an adjustable race timer, data dashboards and a SmartStart start line instrument, for example, which sailors can use to predict and visualize their race start.
In addition, the system is equipped with more than 500 polar profiles of racing and cruising sailboats. The skipper simply loads the corresponding polar profile and can see how his boat is currently performing against the maximum potential of the respective boat.
In addition, specific gauges for sailing and tactics give the skipper direction at a glance to maximize the boat’s VMG (Velocity Made Good) to windward. The aim is to simplify the trimming of sails for optimum performance.
By expanding the network with a radar antenna, a FLIR thermal camera and augmented reality, the skipper should also be able to increase safety on board.
The plotter can also be used to graphically display engine data and operate the entertainment system if required
The chart plotters can also be connected to a NMEA-2000 compatible engine to display engine data graphically on the data dashboard, and the connected entertainment system can also be fully operated via the AXIOM2 Pro display.
The AXIOM2 Pro series chartplotters are optionally available in 9″, 12″ and 16″ display sizes. The S version is equipped with an integrated CHIRP sonar module, while the RVM version has a built-in 3D RealMax sonar module with countless sonar options.
Price: from 2,499 euros for the 9-inch model.
