Chartplotters normally come loaded with a default basemap that offers basic charting material covering the continental US coastlines and lakes. As add-ons you obtain even more detailed marine charts particular to a region of the U.S. or one other element of the world. Your chartplotter will come pre-configured to be compatible with a particular chart set. For example, Garmin utilizes their personal Garmin BlueChart series and Lowrance favors the Navionics chart sets. It is worth checking out the diverse kinds of marine charts readily available from the numerous marine chart suppliers just before you lock your self in to a distinct chartplotter.
Most of the charts cover the world's coast lines and coastal roads and include things like data concerning tides and currents. A number of provide further functions like wreck sites, marsh areas, place of buoys, marsh places and so on.
Marine Charts: Navionics
Navionics charts are obtainable in gold, platinum and platinum plus. The gold series are 2-dimensional whereas the Platinum series offers 3-D views and satellite overlays and aerial images. Bathymetric charts deliver detailed underwater coverage and terrain topography. Navionics 3-D marine charts also give you panoramic views of harbor entries and port services including marinas, hotels and restaurants.
Marine Charts: Garmin
Garmin makes the BlueChart series. The latest in the series is BlueChart G2 Vision. BlueChart G2 provides you enhanced 3-D marine maps, arial and satellite view overlays, coastal roads and auto guidance as well as thousands of points of interest which includes harbors, ports, marinas, hotels and so on.
C-Map by Jeppeson
Furanao recently teamed with Jeppesen to offer you the C-Map series of marine charts recognized as MapMedia charts. These are offered with Furano's NavNet 3D technique. Currently MapMedia vector charts are on the market for North America and Central America and can be viewed in 2D and 3D. Several a lot more regional charts are accessible and a complete range of globe charts is in the functions. MapMedia tends to make use of NOAA Raster and Vector Charts as well. Incidentally NavNet is also compatible with Datacore maps by Navionics
Marine maps are typically on the market pre-programmed on data cards that plug directly into your chartplotter so it is fast and simple and easy to install and upload them. When you wish to purchase a marine chart or map for a new region it is usually worth verifying that the format you are buying is compatible with your chartplotter device to prevent unnecessary frustrations when you receive it. Not all chartplotters from the identical manufacture will accept each and every probable format of marine chart.