7 Best Chart Plotters (2023)
Want to find the best Chartplotter for you for your boat? Keep reading and you will find our picks for 2023
You may have already been looking at chart plotters and been confronted with loads of options at varying degrees of prices. They all come packed with lots of features with many different brands & models sharing a lot of the same. If you only really pay attention to plotters when you come to buy one it can be hard to pick out the differences to decide what is best for you.
Luckily, we deal with these on a daily basis and are quite familiar with all the options. We have put together a list of the 7 best all round chart plotters for the 2023 season, both budget and top-of-the-range to help you decide which one is best for you. We will go over the main points that differentiate them from each other with some of their pros & cons.
If you want to find out the best Chartplotters specifically for sailing or motor boating or the best fishfinders please check out our other articles.
Head straight to the Best Charplotters
Why do I need a GPS Chart Potter?
If you are new to sailing or boating you may be wondering what is the importance of a chart plotter anyway, after all there’s not that much to hit into is there? Well... there are actually lots of dangers out there such as low-lying rocks and sand banks that could really do some damage or worse embarrass you after you’ve told your friends how good a skipper you are.
In times of old, boaters would have to plan their route out on paper charts and stick to this route to avoid dangers if they didn’t know the area well. Luckily we live in the modern age so we can use our chart plotters to offer more freedom to our trips.
What do Chartplotters do?
In their basic form Chartplotters are a live mapping device that show your current location over highly detailed charts. This lets you see exactly where you are in relation to your surroundings, to see where's safe to go and not. Modern electronic charts also give safe entry routes into harbours and tide times to be be sure you can actually get into where you are headed.
They also give you lots of useful info such as your speed, heading and we can enter routes to keep us on a safe path to our destination.
More expensive plotters have other useful features such as hooking into other devices on your boat to show depth, wind, engine info and more on the one screen. They can become a hub to give you all the information you need easily in one place.
Points to note
You get what you pay for
Like most things the more you spend the more features you will get and the higher quality these features will be. This is the same for plotters, at the lower end of the price scale you will get fewer features however for some people and their needs this is totally fine.
Screen size
An increase in screen size often means a big jump in price. We will be using 7-inch screens in all but one of the examples so you can compare the price, if you are interested in looking at sizing the prices of various sizes check out our site after you've taken a look at our list.
So without further ado, let's get into it (these are in no particular order as what’s best for one person's use, might not be the best for another)
Best Budget Chart Plotters
Lowrance Hook reveal
The Lowrance hook reveal is the most basic on the list but it still packs a punch, it is a combined Chartplotter / Fishfinder with built-in GPS. It show’s all your basic info like speed, heading, depth (with transducer) and course to steer when a route is entered. When you reach a waypoint it automatically changes to the next one so you can keep your focus where it needs to be.
It is a stand-alone unit so it can’t be networked with any other instruments or radar on your boat, if you are only looking for a basic Chartplotter or Fishfinder it will do the job perfectly.
It comes with a transducer, unfortunately there is no option to buy it without one but if you don’t want fish finding simply don’t fit the transducer and it will just act as a chart plotter.
It comes in three sizes, 5”, 7” & 9” so there is a good range of sizes and there is three transducer options. Two traditional style sonar transducers - if you are interested these will just show depth, fish and a show a rough image of the bottom. The most expensive option comes with their triple shot transducer - this is a 3-in-one transducer - it has high power chirp which offers more detailed fishfinding but it also has Downscan & SideScan. This gives you a clear picture of the bottom both below and off either side of your boat to help locate spots where fish might be hiding.
The cost of 7 inch Hook Reveal with the cheapest transducer option is around £440
Pros
- Bang for your buck - with the transducer it is a very powerful fishfinder for the price
- Various size options to suit small speed boats such as ribs to up to larger boats
- Built-in GPS
- Chard flexibility - you can use CMAP & Navionics
Cons
- Comes with a transducer even if you don’t want it
- No networking capabilities to display information from other electronics – such as Radar, AIS or wind.
- Button controls only
Raymarine element S
This is a step up from the Hook Reveal in terms of functionality, the element is another chart plotter/ fishfinder however it doesn’t come with a transducer. It provides you with all the basic info like location, bearing, speed and course data but the element also features NMEA 2000, this lets you share data with other instruments.
The Raymarine Element can also display radar, it only connects up to the Raymarine quantum WIFI radar but this is the first plotter of its price to offer such functionality making it a great middle-ground plotter for those wanting some of the better features without breaking the bank - quite so much.
The S means it can also do sonar, if you are not interested in fishing you can get the CPT-S in hull transducer. With this you can show depth without drilling or cutting your hull.
The Element S comes in 7”, 9” & 12” screens, it is roughly the same price as the hook reveal if you get the display only,
RRP for the 7 Inch Element S is £470
Pros
- Networking capabilities with other instruments (NMEA 2000)
- Radar ready
- Quad-core processor so it is fast and responsive
- An in-hull transducer is available to allow depth data with impact on your hull
- Chart Flexibility - You can use CMAP, Navionics or Raymarine Lighthouse charts
Cons
- Button controls only
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2
The final Budget plotter on the list if the Garmin Echomap UHD2, like the Element it is a Chart Plotter / Fishfinder combo coming with no transducer. This one like the Hook Reveal doesn’t have NMEA networking capabilities or radar functionality.
It is more focused towards being a fish finder but with that being said it has all the functionality of a Chartplotter. Just don't purchase a transducer if you don't want the fishfinding side of things. Like the element, Garmin make the GT15M-IH this is an in-hull transducer so you will be able to receive depth data. You can also use it to do some fishing with it if you want to try catch your dinner.
The reason for the addition to our is this is the cheapest plotter out there with Built-in W-FI. This allows you to update the plotter and charts wirelessly. The best thing about this though is you can create routes and save waypoints on your phone and they will be ready on your plotter. So you can plan and create a route from your living room or bed and it will be there for you on your plotter ready to set off.
Available in 5” & 7” options.
RRP for the 7 inch Echomap UHD2 is - £599.99
Pros
- WI-FI functionality - create routes & update from your phone
- Built in GPS so ready to go
- 5 inch version for smaller boats
cons
- No networking or radar
- Button controls only
- 7 inch is the largest screen size
Best Highend Chartplotters
High-end Chartplotters all share a lot of the same features and you would more than likely be happy with any of them however they all have their own unique features that make one better than the other depending on your needs. All the plotters top of the range plotters in this list contain the features below so we will explain the other things that them apart from each other to help you decide which one is best for you.
Features Common To All
- Built-in GPS
- Basic navigation data – Speed, Heading, Course and route data
- NMEA 2000 for networking - lets you control your music, view wind, speed through water, depth, engine data, AIS & much more
- Radar Functionality
- Built-in WI-FI – for updating the plotter, updating charts and for viewing / controlling the plotter remotely
- Split screen multiple views at once to see them side by side. The screens that are down are customisable so you can see what you want, such as Charts and Radar or Charts, Radar & instrument data for example.
Raymarine Axiom +
The Raymarine Axiom+ is a great piece of kit, it is a fully touch-screen all-rounder popular with both racers and cruisers. There are some features that make them more popular with owners of bigger boats or boaters that take on longer journeys but then there are some that equally suit the family cruiser as well. The layout of the home screen is very nice on the axiom, it has a very stylish smartphone feel compared
Two axioms can be linked together, they work independently from each other and this allows to them share data such as charts/routes, radar and all NMEA data. This is good if you want to have two on boards, giving you the ability to create routes on the one down below in the evening for example and it will be ready for you at the cockpit.
The axiom features a sailing-specific feature, when it is receiving wind data it will incorporate that with tidal data and information on your boat from boat builders to give you Lay Lines. This is a feature that tells you the optimum tacking angles to get to your waypoint, these are optimised for the conditions and your boat. Helping you get where you want as quickly as possible.
The axiom also features Netflix, this is definitely a leisure feature but it separates it from the rest. When hooked up to an internet connection you can watch your favourite shows or movies on it, essentially turning it into a little tv which you can watch while relaxing on a sunny evening.
Available in 7”,9” & 12” options
RRP for the 7 inch Axiom is – £845
Pros
- Sharing of data between two screens
- Entertainment system – Netflix
- LayLines for optimised Sailing angles
- Chart flexibility – CMAP, Navionics and Raymarine Charts
- Hydro touch screen that works well when wet
Cons
- Only one SD slot in the back making it hard to access when flush mounted
Garmin GPSMAP X23
Similar to the axiom the GPSMAP is a popular all-rounder very popular with sailors and motorboaters alike, it shares many of the same features as the axiom such as being fully touch screen and having lay lines to help you sail to your destination as quickly as possible in the conditions for your boat type. The GPSMAP also has Starting line guidance which helps you get the best start during a race and alert you if you are going to have a false start.
Unlike the Axiom which can only store one SD card, It can store two at once, this is good if you are travelling between countries and you will need to change chart areas as you can keep both safe in the unit where they won't get lost. The cards are also accessed from the front on the GPSMAP meaning they are easy to change if you need to.
If you have a Garmin Quatix Watch you can steer your vessel using your watch, not a feature necessary for navigation but a pretty cool one nonetheless, it allows you to adjust course up on deck without worrying about losing a phone overboard.
Available in 7”,9” & 12” options
RRP for the 7 inch GPSMAP 723 is - £899.99
Pros
- 2SD card slots on the front for easy changing even when flush mounted
- Racing and sailing features – LayLines and start line guidance
- Cheapest radar out of the high-end options
Cons
- Can only use Garmin charts so if you previously had Navionics or CMAP they won’t work
B & G Vulcan
B&G is a sailing electronics brand, their electronics are designed specifically for sailing and sailors, it comes packed with features to help you do so as efficiently and quickly as possible. The Vulcan is a fully touch-screen plotter aimed at cruisers and avid day racers.
It comes with their sailing and racing software, this is a bunch of features and screens to show important insights such as LayLines and race start guidance like the Axiom & GPSMAP but B&G have spent time making sure the way this information is presented to you is in the best way possible. This plus many of the other cool & useful features on offer such as wind shift tracking make it the go-to plotter for Sailors. We urge you take a look into these on B&G's site if this interests you.
The Vulcan integrates with Predict Wind so no more planning routes on charts. Give it your final destination and it uses weather forecast models and tidal information to calculate the most efficient route given the conditions. It presents you with a few to choose from and you can pick the one you want.
Available in 7” & 9” options
RRP for the 7 inch Vulcan is - £813.99
Pros
- Enhanced sailing and racing features
- Predict wind route creation
- Compatible with Navionics & CMAP
Cons
- 1SD card slot on the back of the unit– not ideal for changing when flush mounted
- The touch screen can play up when wet like phones
B & G Zeus 3
The Zeus 3 is the top-of-the-range plotter from B&G, is the big brother to the Vulcan and it comes with many of the same features however it has a few extra ones that aim towards the more serious racers and big water cruisers. You will still find their sailing and racing software as well as the predict wind integration to help plan routes easily and efficiently. (read above for more info on this)
The Zeus 3 has a super-fast processor which you can trust to not lag on you in a race, some of the other plotters can experience this when processing lots of information, they don't lag a lot so it's nothing to worry about for cruising purposes but for racing when split seconds count it is important to have a plotter that is fast when you need it.
The Zeus 3, unlike the Vulcan has both buttons and a touch screen, offering another way to control the display in more extreme weather conditions such as when the screen might be getting very wet or when it is freezing and you are wearing gloves. It also has a brighter screen that is easier to see on sunny days.
It features 2 SD ports and like the Axiom, multiple Zeus displays can be paired together to share data such as charts and radar.
With all that being said this is not strictly for racers, it is an expensive piece of kit with high-quality electronics in it so for those sailors looking for the best kit to keep them going for years and are willing to invest, this would definitely not let you down.
Available in 9”, 12” & 12” displays
RRP for the 9 inch Zeus 3 is - £2,830
Pros
- Super-Fast processor so fastest loading even while showing lots of active data screens
- Enhanced sailing and racing features
- Predict wind route creation
- Sharing of data between multiple screens
- Keypad and Touch screen functionality
- 2SD card slots
Cons
- No 7-inch option
- Pricey – the 9 inch option is near enough the price as the 12 inch Axiom + and GPSMAP 1223
As we have mentioned, all of the higher-end plotters from the likes of Raymarine, Garmin, B&G, Simrad & Lowrance are fantastic units and will keep you happy but as they are expensive pieces of kit that last you a long time it is important to get one that fits your needs and that you are not paying for features that you don't need. This list was the best options out there for people looking for a Chartplotter - for those of you who want fishfinding functionality as well, there is a completely different list you should check out.
We hope this has been helpful to pick out the main differences between each plotter and has helped you pick or at least narrowed down your search, feel free to give us a phone if you want more advice.
