5 replies to this topic

[Powerboat]

Hi folks,

Having been away for a while, what's the latest on the development of commercial electronic Shannon Charts?

Have Garmin improved their offering?

Any other contenders?

Kind regards,

Stuart

[OceanFroggie]

Hi Stuart. The Ireland Shannon Charts were redeveloped and are now included as part of Garmin's UK/IRL coastal charts. The inland Shannon coverage is now effectively free on Garmin entry level marine plotters such as the 451, 551, 556 and 750 (ie all of which include entire UK/IRL coastal waters). See http://www.shannoncharts.com
They are also available on legacy data cards that include Ireland West coast (ie for discontinued 276c, 2000, 3000 series). Effectively the new inland coverage gives lough Derg, lough Ree and the limerick navigation marine features including colour shaded depth, etc.

Edited by OceanFroggie, 21 February 2012 - 08:14 AM.

[Osprey]

Hi Noel, i was reading about 'waas' giving a more accurate position, along with the gps, does this work on the inland waterways? Also, what gamin hand held GPS would u recommend to use along with the Shannon charts.

Regards,

Liam.

[OceanFroggie]

Hi Liam
EGNOS is the European equivalent of WAAS. It improves accurancy a bit but not significant for boating. I don't bother with it since Clinton turned SA off in 2001. Typically we are getting 3-6m accuracy which is pretty good and enough to find a harbour entrance in poor vis. WAAS/EGNOS more relevant to civilian air transport that need very accurate correction systems for runway approaches, etc.

http://www.esa.int/esaNA/egnos.html
http://www8.garmin.c...utGPS/waas.html

As to handhelds, I'm a bit out of date. We have an old discontinued 76C as a backup to the fixed plotter, but I find the screen very small and the marine charts have to be purchased separtately, whereas the entry level fixed 451 plotter has a 4" screen and includes a complete set of UK/IRL coastal BlueChart G2 charts which include the inland Shannon at no extra cost (ie no card needed, charts preloaded on the units firmware). If you really need a HH then the Montana 600 seems to have a bigger screen and will accept optional BlueChart map cards, BUT it will probably cost more than a 451 when you take into account the extra cost of charts for the Montana. We have a 451s on the RIB and its proven useful.

https://buy.garmin.c...shop.do?cID=161
https://buy.garmin.c...=161&pID=105624
https://buy.garmin.c...op.do?pID=28758

Noel

.

Edited by OceanFroggie, 22 February 2012 - 01:38 PM.

[Osprey]

Hi Noel,

Was looking at maybe getting the Garmin oregon 550t, and loading the Shannon inland charts onto it. I would get more use from a handheld as i do be on various boats and would be able to bring it with me.
Very interesting regarding the waas/egnos...Thanks for the links and info.

Kind Regards,

Liam..

[OceanFroggie]

Hi Liam
The Oregon looks a nice unit, but I'm not sure if it runs BlueChart G2 marine chart SD cards. From their website the Montana seems to but suggest you check for sure with a Garmin dealer. If you want a big portable screen the GpsMap 620 touchscreen is the replacement for the 276c but it's pricey considering there are no preloaded charts on it. The feature I like is the quick release mount which includes sprung electrical contacts (ie no cables to also disconnect every time you move it).
Noel