Thanks for your responses. The boat in question is a 44 Viking. The 2006C
is built in the console on the bridge. The debate has been to update the
present radar (in need of repair) with a new radar that is a multi-device
unit (which includes the chartplotter) (Raymarine for example) and get rid
of the 2006 or just purchase a radar itself (JRC monochrome screen) and keep
the 2006C. I have found the 2006C is a good chartplotter but you cannot add
add'l items (radar) to it like their 3006 or 3010. One dealer suggested
that I get the 3010 (including the garman radar) and utilize garman for the
package. Any opinions. The last time I owned a boat it had loran... over 10
years ago. There are more products affordable and available now.
Andy
"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
johnhh wrote:
I strongly agree. The OP didn't say what kind of boat he has, but on
a smaller short handed sail boat, laptops just don't cut it as a
primary navigation device. Unless you go to considerable expense,
they just aren't dependable enough. By the time you get a fully
rugged pc with outdoor display and don't load anything on it but the
nave software, your better off getting a dedicated chart plotter.
Especially since he already has a very good one. Keep the laptop
down below for trip planning, web surfing and all the other things
you want a computer for.

"Jack Erbes" wrote in message
...
Dennis Pogson wrote:

snip
I think my advice would be to sell the 2006C, and buy an Etrex with
the money, then use Oziexplorer on a laptop. That way, his hole in
the water will get smaller, not bigger, and his navigation setup
will be infinitely easier to use.


I'm assuming his 2006C is at the helm. Having good marine grade
electronics in front of you, can add a lot to the safety and quality
of the boating experience. The necessity of buying charting comes
with that.

I understand the joys of doing it more cheaply but that are always a
lot of trade offs when you do that. I have never been on a boat
where I thought that eliminating the built in electronics and
replacing them with a laptop and a handheld GPS would be a
satisfactory or, in most cases, even practical alternative.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

A great deal depends what type of boating he intends to do.
Round-the-world-racing would demand a different set-up to coastal
pottering.
Quite honestly, for the latter, I think your own eyes and other senses are
the best form of navigation, backed up by an in-depth knowledge of
traditional chartwork.

Dennis.