What type of display screen should I select for my chartplotter ?
Answer = Monochrome LCD's provide good to excellent visability in most situations. Color LCD and CRT screens are best used in subdued lighting.
What size of screen should I select for my chart plotter ?
Answer = Screen size is important in determining the usefulness of the chartplotter. The best way to evaluate the usefulness is to cut out a section of a familiar chart using the same dimensions as the considered screen, compare the cut out section of chart to screen to get a better idea of how screen will display.
Can I rely on my chartplotter as my sole means of navigation ?
Answer = Most chartplotters will come with a built in warning message stating the system is not to be used as the sole means for navigation. This on-screen warning and the fact that electronic systems can fail should encourage you to always have a paper chart on board.
What type of chart information is recommended ?
Answer = There are two main types of electronic charts: raster scanned charts and vector scanned charts. Either one is good, as the user you must decide which suits your purpose best. Simple limited capability systems are generally restricted to one type of chart format. More advanced computer based systems can use a wide variety of chart data sources, allowing the user to select between raster scanned charts and various vector scanned charts.
What is the difference between Raster and Vector chart products ?
Answer = Raster charts are photographically precise copies of the standard hydrographic office charts. All symbols and markers will be famaliar to conventional chart users. Raster charts contain everything shown on the paper chart and have virtually no chance of error. Vector charts are produced from original paper charts and the data is recorded in individual digital file layers. This feature allows the user to select the type of information to be displayed on the screen.
Can a chartplotter integrate my other on board systems ?
Answer = Some chartplotters are capable of integrating information from other on board systems, including radar data, water temp, wind speed & direction and hull speed.
