Free GPS Guidance
Archive for the ‘Chart Plotter GPS’ Category
For all you beginning boaters out there, you really might want to consider purchasing a chartplotter for your vessel. Garmin chartplotters like the Garmin GPSMAP series include marine cartography – preloaded with marine mapping software – and have GPS and WAAS capabilities so that you can not only see the rocks and shoals to avoid, but you can plot your best course to your destination. Also, with the use of the GPS/WAAS capabilities you can know with accuracy if you are beginning to venture off course. You can also save each course you plot to make finding your way back to that great getaway or fishing ground a cinch next time you want to return. Marine chart plotters are built rugged to be reliable, and are completely sealed with a waterproof casing, especially built to stand up to use in harsh saltwater environments.
What are Gimbals, and Why do I Need Them?
Gimbals are used in mounting systems, especially for marine vessels, which consist normally of two concentric rings mounted such that their axes are able to pivot at right angles from each other such that one swings freely within the other. They work much like a gyroscope and are used as a mount for equipment such as a compass or other nautical equipment (even stoves, lamps, etc). Gimbals operate in such a manner that objects are permitted to swing freely between them so that the object will remain suspended in a level manner regardless of any motion of their support. Gimbals are commonly used for sea-faring instruments so as to counteract the motion of the vessel.
There are several parts to a gimbal mount. Normally it is made of a set of rings, but sometimes is a ball and socket arrangement, attaching ultimately to a bracket which will support the equipment and another part which will attach to the vessel. In this case, we would use them to attach our GPS fishfinders and/or chartplotters as important and useful marine accessories.
In helping our new friend search for the best GPS chartplotter navigation for his enclosed wooden boat, we have discovered that the manufacturer’s descriptions do not always educate you on whether your unit will work in an enclosed area or not. We are finding that it is important to do more research and be sure that the unit can handle an external antenna before purchasing it. There are often situations where you do not want to navigate your boat from the fly bridge and would appreciate the comfort of navigating from within an enclosed cabin, so be sure your unit has that capability before purchasing the wrong GPS navigation system/chartplotter for you. It would be convenient if the manufacturers would include that in their descriptions, but that is not always the case.
Several GPS chartplotters have the capability of being used with or without an external antenna and should be reviewed with this in mind. Be sure to look for more than an internal antenna. An internal antenna is convenient as it is more compact and does not need to be set up separately; and although it will work quite well on many boats, it will not serve in all situations. Another thing to consider is purchasing a 2nd mounting station in order to easily switch back and forth between navigating either from the cabin or the fly bridge. Happy boating!