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B&G Zeus Touch plotter chart cards

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Wayne's World View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wayne's World Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: B&G Zeus Touch plotter chart cards
    Posted: 23 April 2014 at 23:45

We are due to pick up our 575 in mid June and I am currently trying to decide what chart cards to use in our B&G plotters. I would be grateful for comments from any forum members using the B&G Zeus Touch plotters with either the C Map N Max charts or Navionics Gold or Platinum charts.  I gather the bundled C-Map N BDS charts supplied with the plotters are not suitable for cruising as they don't offer detailed port and marina charts and data. So I assume we would need to upgrade to the C-Map N Max charts? Are the Gold Navionics cards suitable for cruising without going to the Platinum+ cards. I gather the Platinum+ offer various features which may not be useful for cruising?   Looking forward to some feedback.

Wayne W
Cruising, currently in the Caribbean and will head across the Pacific early 2024
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Old Racer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Old Racer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 April 2014 at 11:45
I am not knowledgeable on all the chart formats mention.
 
I am in the process of purchasing a Zeus and at the London Boat Show had demonstrations on both the Navionics cards.
 
I went for the Gold as it gave me everything I needed for cruising with clear detail.
 
The Platinum gave some extra features which involved being able to zoom into an area to the point it became a photgraph. Very nice but distracting and not sure it added any value.
 
hope this help
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Rubato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rubato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 April 2014 at 16:36
I've been contemplating getting a Zeus or Zeus2 so this topic has some interest. You may have seen this link already but I found it useful...
http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en-GB/Products/Cartography/

It sounds like the C-Map BDS is a minimum featured, very localized chart set bundled with the plotters when initially sold just so they aren't useless out of the box. However, you'd want to upgrade to either the C-Map Max-N wide or local (depending on the coverage area you want) pretty quickly. On the Navionics side, Gold would work fine but if money isn't a big deal and you want to dazzle your friends the Platinum would be pretty cool with satellite overlay and zooming to a picture level - although I'd want to try this on a target plotter first to make sure that the processor speed is enough... (i.e. may be best only on the newest Zeus2)

Let us know what you do and how it works out
Cheers
Steve
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Jorg470 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jorg470 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 April 2014 at 17:57
If I can give you some recommendation it will be to take care of the up-dating method and cost of your chart that can make a difference in you choice

I have a GB40 an happy to be able to get the latest update any time via emails with an attached file, as well I receive any update of the data base automatically by courier since I’m subscribe to the Jeppesen Club

 Regards

Jorg

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CharlesP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CharlesP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 April 2014 at 23:19
I like the Navionics charts and have used them for many years. The main reason I like them is because they resemble exactly my Admiralty paper charts, making it very easy to cross referencen to each other.

I have used Gold because it never seemed worthwhile to pay for the extra features of Platinum which are largely covered in Almanacs and Pilot books.

When you buy Navionics, you can update online by plugging the card into a computer. You can do this as often as you like for twelve months. The Gold edition then costs €95 to renew the upgrade subscription for another twelve months. However, there is no obligation to update. I do it every three or four years. I have just renewed my subscription and the Gold version was "upgraded" to Navionics+.

Charles
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Mark_J1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark_J1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 April 2014 at 12:04
Just did 3006Nm UK to Turkey on a 575 with the Zeus plotters and Navionics Gold charts. Can't speak to the C-Map charts, however the Navionics Gold worked very well for us.  I've used Platinum in the past, but IMHO the extra cost doesn't give enough extra value.  Getting the Zeus plotters configured 'just so' takes a bit of fiddling in the underlying menus, but no real problem.  Set dynamic tides on etc and you get some nice 'at a glance' stream data and height of tide info etc.  Just give yourself time with the manual.  

BTW the air draft on the 575 gives spectacular VHF range (with a Simrad RS35 sharing the aerial with the AIS transponder) so we did notice that the plotters/chart detail zooming update rate struggled a bit with the vast number of AIS targets found in busy areas (eg round Ushant or through the Straits of Gibraltar) but no problem normally. 

Mark
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cwetto View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cwetto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 April 2014 at 22:36
Originally posted by Wayne's World Wayne's World wrote:

We are due to pick up our 575 in mid June and I am currently trying to decide what chart cards to use in our B&G plotters. I would be grateful for comments from any forum members using the B&G Zeus Touch plotters with either the C Map N Max charts or Navionics Gold or Platinum charts.  ..


Just upgraded from Simrad cx44 to Zeus T12/4G/AIS transponder/SonarHub. But keep the H3000 and AP.
I choose Navionics Gold as I have PC with OpenCPN and google earth images. I see no big benefit in Platinum.
Can't comment on usage, just begin calibration and setup.


Edited by cwetto - 25 April 2014 at 22:37
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Gordon Harrison View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gordon Harrison Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 April 2014 at 13:34
I have opted for the Navionics gold as opposed to platinum on B&G zeus, looks pretty good so far, although I have only had minimal use. Looks good on the iPad as well. Thought I'd better spend the difference on some extra paper charts!
Gordon
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Wayne's World View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wayne's World Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 April 2014 at 09:12

 

After receiving feedback from the forum, many thanks to the contributors, input from suppliers and addition feedback from two Hanse dealers and their commissioning staff it appears the Navionics Gold card charts, for our long distance cruising, would be the preferred option.

A summary of the input received is :-

C- Map cards

Good points-

1 Good coverage when using the Wide charts.

2. Advantage of aerial photos of ports and marinas.

Not so good points-

1. When zoomed way in detail is lost and the charts do not look like paper charts at that stage.

2. Cards need to be returned to Jeppersen for upgrading (from one area to another).

?. Not sure if the C-Map N Max (Navico type) cards have less features than the normal C-Map cards? 

Navionics cards (Gold)

Good points-

1. Good coverage in the XL9 format

2. Look more like paper charts when zoomed right in.

3. Upgrading of card can be done via the internet.

Not so good points-

1. No aerial photography of ports or marinas. 

Navionics cards (Platinum)

Good points-

1. Aerial Photography of ports and marinas.

2. Geo referenced Coast Pilot feature ( if this actually works).

3. Upgrading of card can be done via the internet.

Not so good points-

1. Small coverage (XL3 cards) compared to both the Gold (XL9) cards or C-Map.

2. High cost for smaller card coverage compared to Gold or C-Map.

3. The cost of upgrading the Platinum card which is required more often than the Gold card as the coverage is smaller.

4. Not sure if we would use or benefit from a lot of the extra features.

5. Not sure if when running all the features and having a large number of AIS targets if the B&G plotters will handle the processing required without slowing down.

 

Wayne W
Cruising, currently in the Caribbean and will head across the Pacific early 2024
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Persse View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Persse Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 April 2014 at 13:29
Hi Wayne
Have Navionics Platinum as I did not want radar. After commissioning sailed from Pittwater to Westernport and then on to Port Phillip with two night navs.
I developed complete confidence in the plotter after being a little sceptical about relying on it. The correlation with paper charts was accurate and AIS in the traffic separation lanes around Wilsons Prom was wonderful. Went through on a busy night with over 5 commercial vessels and felt completely in control. Free upgrades for 12 months. Can't add much more than to say I am more than happy with it.
Phil O.
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