Digital Nautical Charts
Digital nautical charts are used today on chartplotters, tablets and mobile devices, and are for many an important supplement to traditional paper nautical charts. Here you will find a brief guide to how digital nautical charts work, which solutions are most common, and what you should know before choosing charts for your boat or chartplotter.
Digital nautical charts display coastlines, depths, navigation marks and harbors in electronic form. Together with GPS, the chartplotter can display the boat’s position directly on the chart.
The chart must be compatible with the chartplotter or app you are using. Chart format and update system vary between manufacturers.
What Are Digital Nautical Charts?
Digital nautical charts are electronic charts used for navigation on chartplotters, in mobile apps or in navigation software on PC and Mac. They provide quick position display and can make it easier to plan routes and follow courses underway.
Many still choose to combine electronic navigation with paper nautical charts. Paper charts provide better overview of larger areas and function without power or electronics.
The Most Common Systems
The market for digital nautical charts is in practice dominated by a few chart suppliers. Which solution is most suitable depends in part on which chartplotter you are using.
One of the world’s most widely used digital nautical chart systems for recreational boats. The charts are used in plotters and mobile apps.
Digital chart solution widely used with plotters from Simrad, Lowrance and B&G.
Chart series that combines paper nautical charts and digital use in the NV Charts app.
Which Chart Suits Your Chartplotter?
| Equipment | Common Chart Solutions | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin | Garmin Navionics / BlueChart | Common solution for Garmin plotters. |
| Simrad / B&G / Lowrance | C-MAP or Navionics | Support varies between models. |
| Tablet / mobile | Manufacturers’ own apps | Often used for planning or backup. |
NV Charts – Paper and Digital in One Solution
NV Charts offers both paper nautical charts and digital access through the NV Charts app. This allows you to use the same chart universe both on paper and on mobile or tablet.
Does Kart.no Sell Digital Charts?
Kart.no does not currently sell separate digital chart cards or chart solutions. We primarily offer paper nautical charts and chart series where digital access may be included as part of the solution, such as NV Charts.
Digital chart solutions may become available in the future.