Since this feature
requires rotating and zooming the chart data to match the radar
display, vector charts are clearly the right choice.

Hmmm, no it doesn't. At least not on a Raymarine E-80. I can overlay radar
on top of charts in any orientation. I tend to prefer North up orientation,
but the admiral likes it to rotate with the heading. It's a snap to change
between them.

When dealing with charts at the helm I find vector more useful. When
plotting courses on a laptop, however, raster seems better. For me the
difference is what I need to know RIGHT NOW versus planning what I where I
feel like going at some later time. The vector charts with the ability to
zoom in/out quickly and without losing detail (getting grainy like raster)
are of tremendous help when actually moving. Granted, I'm usually at 30kts
in a powerboat; those in sailboats might have a different sense of urgency.
But when I'm planning trips ahead of time I find the extra detail they've
got on raster charts to be rather handy. I generally use Coastal Explorer
(aka Maptech Chart Navigator Pro) with Maptech digital charts. On the
chartplotter I use a Navionics platinum chip.

If faced with having to choose one over the other I'd probably go with
vector because of it's benefits (for me anyway) while underway and just use
other sources for trip planning extras.

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:56:53 -0400, "Bill Kearney"
wrote:

Since this feature
requires rotating and zooming the chart data to match the radar
display, vector charts are clearly the right choice.

Hmmm, no it doesn't. At least not on a Raymarine E-80. I can overlay radar
on top of charts in any orientation. I tend to prefer North up orientation,
but the admiral likes it to rotate with the heading. It's a snap to change
between them.

I agree that it is theoretically possible to rotate the radar image
instead of the chart image. In practice however, virtually everyone
is used to looking at radar images in "heading up" format.

I agree that it is theoretically possible to rotate the radar image
instead of the chart image. In practice however, virtually everyone
is used to looking at radar images in "heading up" format.

There's no theory involved, the E-80 does it. At least from the perspective
that someone that wants to see the radar overlaid on charts can do so while
the charts are being displayed in a 'heading up' orientation. Or if
they're looking at the chart in 'north up' orientation it'll likewise
overlay the radar. We use these two modes all the time.

Uh well, yeah, when looking at *only* the radar scope rings it's rather
standard to see them in heading up format. I think you can show it in north
up mode as well. Although I personally don't see myself ever using it that
way.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:56:53 -0400, "Bill Kearney"
wrote:


Since this feature
requires rotating and zooming the chart data to match the radar
display, vector charts are clearly the right choice.

Hmmm, no it doesn't. At least not on a Raymarine E-80. I can overlay radar
on top of charts in any orientation. I tend to prefer North up orientation,
but the admiral likes it to rotate with the heading. It's a snap to change
between them.


I agree that it is theoretically possible to rotate the radar image
instead of the chart image. In practice however, virtually everyone
is used to looking at radar images in "heading up" format.

I was taught, and always use north up. All of my peers also use north
up. That way the picture doesn't change every time you alter course or
make a small correction. It comes from the days of using parallel index
lines when navigating blind.

Gary

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:15:38 GMT, Gary wrote:

I was taught, and always use north up. All of my peers also use north
up. That way the picture doesn't change every time you alter course or
make a small correction.

Are you talking about radar or charting ?

Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:15:38 GMT, Gary wrote:


I was taught, and always use north up. All of my peers also use north
up. That way the picture doesn't change every time you alter course or
make a small correction.


Are you talking about radar or charting ?

Both.

On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 03:31:52 GMT, Gary wrote:

I was taught, and always use north up. All of my peers also use north
up. That way the picture doesn't change every time you alter course or
make a small correction.


Are you talking about radar or charting ?

Both.

The vast majority of small boat radars display only in "heading up"
mode.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 03:31:52 GMT, Gary wrote:

I was taught, and always use north up. All of my peers also use north
up. That way the picture doesn't change every time you alter course or
make a small correction.

Are you talking about radar or charting ?

Both.

The vast majority of small boat radars display only in "heading up"
mode.
I don't know about the "vast majority" but my entry level Raymarine
SL70 installed in 1999 has North-Up, so I assume all Ray's sold in
this century have it.