B&G Zeus Touch plotter chart cards
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Cruising
Forum Description: Chat about Cruising
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8325
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 01:44
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: B&G Zeus Touch plotter chart cards
Posted By: Wayne's World
Subject: B&G Zeus Touch plotter chart cards
Date Posted: 23 April 2014 at 23:45
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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 Pacific until the end of 2026. |
Replies:
Posted By: Old Racer
Date Posted: 24 April 2014 at 11:45
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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 ------------- Hanse 320 Olicana Inverkip Scotland |
Posted By: Rubato
Date Posted: 24 April 2014 at 16:36
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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 ------------- Steve Hanse 400e, #168 |
Posted By: Jorg470
Date Posted: 24 April 2014 at 17:57
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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 ------------- Jörg 540#251 |
Posted By: CharlesP
Date Posted: 24 April 2014 at 23:19
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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 ------------- 'MERIDIAN LADY' 320 Nr 536 2010 Medway |
Posted By: Mark_J1
Date Posted: 25 April 2014 at 12:04
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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 ------------- Hanse 400e "Grey Goose" Hull #31 |
Posted By: cwetto
Date Posted: 25 April 2014 at 22:36
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. ------------- Cwetto Hanse 540e 2007, sailing Med |
Wayne's World wrote:Posted By: Gordon Harrison
Date Posted: 27 April 2014 at 13:34
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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 |
Posted By: Wayne's World
Date Posted: 28 April 2014 at 09:12
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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 Pacific until the end of 2026. |
Posted By: Persse
Date Posted: 28 April 2014 at 13:29
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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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Posted By: Wayne's World
Date Posted: 29 April 2014 at 00:15
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Phil, We often navigate at night and the accuracy and reliability of modern,
well installed electronic nav equipment makes this safe and enjoyable - once as
you say you develop confidence and experience with your equipment. We have
found in some more remote areas like PNG and the Kimberley the paper charts and
therefore the consumer electronic charts are however inaccurate and one needs
to check. For example in the area near the Trobriand Islands north of Milne Bay
in PNG the charts are about .6nm (1110 meters) out and the easiest way to check
the extent of the error is by overlaying your radar over the chart. Generally
in high use areas the charts are very accurate (paper and electronic). For
local trips one simple check you can make before you take off is to see if the
plotter has your vessels position in the correct berth in your marina. There would be plenty of people using their plotters with chart cards
which have never been updated. In researching which cards type to use a very
experienced sailor said he was still using a 2008 C Map card which had not been
updated - potentially dangerous when navigating in areas which you don't have experience
in and are wholly relying on the plotter. It is probably worthwhile updating your chart
card at least annually if you are relying on the plotter for particularly night
navigation. Navionics have made the upgrading system much easier now by making
the process available over the web. C-Map currently require you to send your
card back to them for upgrading. Keep enjoying your 385. ------------- Wayne W Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026. |
Posted By: simonpickard
Date Posted: 10 August 2014 at 19:22
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Hi Wayne, We have the Navionics Gold charts and are very happy with them. We've seen a few mistakes from Germany to the Med but nothing dangouse as such. Just the odd Bouy no longer there, etc. One thing that is a problem however is the size of the updates. For the Med charts these can easily run into 500+ megs of data. Finding good wifi around the Med is actually one of the most frustrating things. 3G is the way to go but hardly anyone does pay as you go sim cards with large amounts of data. If you do happen to find a solid connection get your Gold cards in there quick smart and updated as you go. All the best, Simon |
Posted By: kweetje
Date Posted: 09 September 2014 at 06:42
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On my previous plotter (simrad NX45) we had C-map. Big advantage was in my opinion that currents where very well visualised. On the new NSE with navionics charts i really miss this visual representation. However i don't now if the Zeus can visualize the currents with C-map charts... ------------- First 4000 miles, no substantial problems |
Posted By: Wayne's World
Date Posted: 09 September 2014 at 10:50
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Kweetje, I have used both the C Map and now the Navionics Gold cards and I think you will find that the Nav Gold and Platinum cards both offer tidal and current data. I had the C Map cards in a Furuno System and the Navionics are in a B&G Zeus system. In fact I think I prefer the display style on the Nav Gold charts to the C Map which I always found to be a bit "clunky" to use. I think the Navionics Silver charts do not have tide or current data but I think most people would use the Gold cards as the coverage area is so much bigger per card than the Platinum cards. ------------- Wayne W Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026. |