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Which Chartplotter Chip for Bahamas/Florida-Simrad NSSEVO3

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by Capt J, Aug 11, 2019.

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  1. Brian G

    Brian G Member

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    Just starting my research on a new chartplotter and radar system. It looks like my 2003 Furuno GD1900c system is ready to call it quits. The array wand no longer spins which is not a problem for where I am (Nashville, TN) except that the USCG Auxiliary likes to stop me to tell me that the regs require it to be on while I'm under way. :)

    It's hard to find people who can work on it here so it may be best to replace it. Future cruising plans include the west coast of Florida and eventually the Bahamas and Exumas in a few years. Right now I'm mostly using Navionics on an iPad but I also have the CMAP charts running as well. Any suggestions on what I should consider replacing the Furuno system with? It's an analog system but it does have a NMEA 2000 backbone. Thank you in advance for any guidance you might have.
  2. motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I just updated my helm last year with all Furuno. I am very pleased so far. As I said before Furuno offers explorer charts (for Bahamas) for purchase and they are the only ones I want to rely on when in the Bahamas. I went with 2 TZT2 15” touch screens. I have maybe a year and half using them and am very pleased. Furuno now has TZT3 which you should look into what that is all about. I little quicker is what I understand. I was a Garmin guy but when the eliminated explorer charts I made the move to Furuno. I was concerned about the learning Furuno but they have come along way making it easier to learn. With a little time I find it as intuitive as Garmin. Also Furuno’s customer service seems to get better reviews than Garmin.
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I'd go with Garmin. They just work, are easy to use etc. The built in Garmin Charts are far superior than explorer or any other charts in the Bahamas. And easy to read and great in the U.S. too and they come with the machine. Furuno work well, but you just have to go through way too many menu's to adjust anything with them.
  4. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The older Garmin BlueCharts used to incorporate Explorer Charts data for the Bahamas. Over the last few years they ve gradually switched to navionics data which is just plain awful.

    If you stick to the typical Chubb, Nassau, Highborne, Compass and Staniel routine, it s fine. But if you enjoy getting off the beaten path, access remote anchorages and use cuts like pudding, pigeon pass and others... beware
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    So, your saying the Explorer charts do include these areas in good detail? or beware on any chart?
    On the upper bank, updated Navonics chips have always done well. We plan on the Explorer chart book and insert WPs on the electronic Navonics chip equipment (E120 & RNS PC). While traveling watching the screen. All has always worked. However, Been doing it for many, many years. I already know the usual bars (sand bars also).
    If the Explorer chart kits are still up every year, we may continue this method of operation.

    This summer got blown away,, again..
    Josie has her cast pan in hand. Cruising the river is nice but it's the clear salt we both crave. Posting the Bahamas news is not just for YF, it's keeping that dam cast pan off my head. It's not my fault is a thin excuse with her.

    We got to get down in the waters Pascal visits or KaBong will be heard down the e-coast.
    Who knows, it may fix the ringing in my head.
    Last edited: May 26, 2020
  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Navionics May be ok stateside but not in the Bahamas. There are dozens of spots where following Navionics will he you aground. Explorer charts are the way to go. In the past garmin blue charts were great because they used Explorer data. No more


    explorer charts are available from C map for a number of plotters including Furuno Navnet3D which we have in black box version with two large monitor. Very solid system which I plan to hand on for as long as possible. Great radar too.

    There is a reason why every commercial boat has a Furuno radar ...
  7. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The factory installed charts on the Garmins are still good/perfect no Navionics influence from what I've seen so far.

    The Navionics chart chips have A LOT of errors in the Exumas. I bought a chip and after one trip, took it right out of the machine and bought a C-MAP chip to replace it.
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    You kids have worked the areas that I was in once after Andrew and been trying to get back to since.
    No chips then.
    Where I have been on the north banks is all printed on dinner table place mats. I agree the Explorer charts are better,,, but really,, how often are they updated?
    Do they really cover the areas Pascal mentioned (I asked # 24 - 25).
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Last I checked, rocks don't move :D I've found that in 99.5% of areas that nothing changes. Yeah certain areas do shoal and move around, but charts never seem to keep up with those areas fast enough either and it's basically reading the bottom.
  10. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    On a lot of the arrays you'll find a toggle switch that boat washers are notorious for hitting. Might want to check that before you buy new stuff.
  11. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    There's a "webinar" out there with Furuno comparing their new TZT3 interface to three competitors. Not surprisingly, they "won" :) but in general it looked like the comparisons could be useful to get a glimpse of the several systems.

    We have the older NN3D system and like it a lot even though it's a bit long in the tooth these days. Furuno support has been excellent.

    C-Map vector charts -- with Explorer Charts, said to be the bee's knees for Bahamas -- are available on the Furuno systems, as are Navionics vector charts. Both at extra cost. NOAA raster and vector charts are available for free, with free annual updates.

    We use TimeZero on a laptop as one of our layers of back-ups., mostly because it's (mostly) the same user interface and because it uses the same chart files. Ditto bee's knees.

    -Chris
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Exactly. In the last 10+ i haven’t seen changes in shoals and depths despite a number of storms that have affected the Exumas. For shallow tracks I have waypoints with the MLW depths I be encountered in the names and none have changed. Despite climate warning, sea level rise, depths haven’t increased either :)
  13. Brian G

    Brian G Member

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    This is all super helpful. Thank you, gentlemen.
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I'll also add that a tablet is no match for a dedicated chartplotter when it comes to heavy rain/thunderstorms, when you need a chartplotter the most. I've found a tablet loses GPS a lot when it's raining very hard, whereas a chartplotter with dedicated GPS antannae outside doesn't.
  15. Brian G

    Brian G Member

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    Thanks for the suggestion, NYCAP. Unfortunately, there's no switch on my unit.
  16. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Maybe add one? Kidding, of course...

    Second the take on CMap and CMap Vector. They've treated me well. This week, however, the chart didn't display the fog I hit at Sandy Hook...darnit...