Now on my second Kcombo 7A+

A bit of an unusual title to the thread but I was so pleased with the first Kcombo 7A+, when it was stolen in November I bought an identical replacement!

My use of a chart plotter is slightly unusual in that I use it to conduct amateur surveys in the Thames Estuary, UK. The Estuary is an interesting area of water with many sand banks and moving swatchways (small channels). For leisure craft users, surveying the swatchways are important being commercial surveys are confined to the major channels. When I fitted the first Kcombo was was impressed with the reliability of the kit. For surveying I had to ensure quite a few tests to ensure accuracy over a series of different seabed types and I could not fault it. By using the NMEA output, I could collect typically one depth every second link with lat/long data and precise time. As this is used in tidal waters, the precise time is essential to work out (after the event) the height of tide at each place at that time. Each survey takes a minimum of two hours so the height of tide can change 2 metres or so. The final test is to re-run a run of the first run to compare the accuracy of the depth readings adjusted for the change of tidal height. I have been consistently pleased with the correlation of depth readings. So once the ‘old’ instrument was stolen, it is the obvious equipment to replace.

I use C-Map (my preference), find the AIS very easy to work and really simple to link the NMEA output to my laptop. I admit I don’t actually use it to find fish! The new kit has a different mounting bracket compared to the former. This later mounting bracket is much improved; more choices of position and a ‘quick release’ facility which is very useful as I shall have to ensure this second kit is not stolen. The on-line manual is good, clear and comprehensive. All in all, very good value with robust reliable kit. I am not intending to say all this as an advertisement but with the insurance money I had the choice to buy other kit…. and chose not to change.

Aves Marine supplied the replacement kit and I was very pleased with the delivery and also that Alan programmed in my AIS details. Very helpful and a well informed and able supplier.