Sounding Density

[danderer]

When looking at NOAA vector charts I'm not seeing the level of detail I expect.

I've attached two images: The first is from the NOAA website. Note the number of soundings shown. I see the same basic presentation on a number of nav apps that use these same charts.

The second image is from my TZT16F with HOs selected. The sounding data is much less dense. Zooming in pretty far does show additional soundings, so the data is present.

I would expect the 1920x1080 display to be capable of showing more data than it is. Is there some combination of settings that will make a difference here?

 

[Magnetron]

If by sounding data we're talking about bathymetry than NOAA provides some pretty good bathy. If you gave us a GPS Lat/Long to validate your images, we could compare NOAA to some of the commercially available paid-for charts.

Otherwise, verify you're not on "Auto chart" (which just provides the best image based on region and range). Swipe up from the plotter page, and under "Chart" select "Fishing." That way you know you have bathy only selected.

If you're looking for some particular detail or featurette, we recommend talking with a dealer about what chart options are available for your area.

Hope this helps, :sail

- Maggy

(Attached is an example of C-MAP Bathy from Oswego-Buffalo, NY in the Great Lakes.)

 

[danderer]

Sorry I didn't explain this very well.

Both of the images I posted are from the same source - NOAA data. The TZT3 was set to display HOs.

The TZT3 in this case is displaying many fewer sounding points than other NOAA chart display implementations. I know the discrete points are in the TZT3 dataset because if I zoom the MFD in further they appear.

The issue I'm questioning here is not the quality of the bathymetry but rather how the TZT3 displays it.

The two images I supplied are based on the same data, but the TZT3 shows significantly less sounding points. To see the 'missing' points I need to zoom in the TZT3 more than seems necessary.

So the question is: Is there a way to have the TZT3 show more points, albeit in what some might consider a more cluttered presentation? I hope there is - that would take advantage of the higher resolution available on the 16/19 vs the 9/12.

 

[Magnetron]

Thanks for the clarification,

As of current software (e.g. TZ3 2.05/TZ2 8.01), while there's a mode to modify AIS targets and Waypoint density - there is no way to modify sounding density other than range zoom.

- Maggy

 

[danderer]

Ah well. Thanks.

 

[Johnny Electron]

I think Magnetron missed the point but I also think your comparison is confusing because you are comparing RASTER NOAA with VECTOR NOAA. They are not the same and won't be. If you compare the NOAA paper charts with the chart in the machine, it should be done with the same type. Have you compared the NOAA paper charts with the RASTER chart in the machine? Normally these are exact. The Free updates in the machine are done one per year so maybe it is a version behind. While the unit has control of some factors when it comes to VECTOR charts, many of these variables are controllable by using the settings under HOME- SETTINGS - VECTOR CHART or S-52 DISPLAY.

 

[danderer]

No, I think we're comparing apples to apples here.

The two images I provided were both based on the NOAA vector data. My question revolved around how the TZT3 displays that data. Other platforms using that same data seem to show more sounding points at a given zoom level. How many points are shown at a given zoom is what I was trying to configure - that doesn't seem possible at this time.

There was no mention of NOAA raster charts. They display on the TZT3 exactly as I would expect, and the same way they display on other platforms.

Unrelated to this question, I'm gonna miss the raster presentation.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Okay, then hopefully modifications to the settings and ranges should provide the same data if comparing NOAA Vector to NOAA Vector. You have tried playing with the settings under HOME- SETTINGS - VECTOR CHART and S-52 DISPLAY? If so I will spend some time looking into it and asking the parent company.

 

[danderer]

Thanks. I've played with those options to no effect.

Not a big deal - if there was an easy solution I was overlooking, great, but not worth spending a lot of your time chasing.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Compare the Vector shot captured by your machine versus the one captured from mine. Many times it is about the range if you are not seeing what you are looking for. Range levels matter quite a bit whenever it comes to spot sounding and some details. Navionics charts in MM3 format almost always require that you range in closer than some of the other charts, to get extreme details. (click photo to expand)

 

[Johnny Electron]

Another thing to consider when using the Free NOAA charts is adding the Free available SAT photos. You can tell alot about shallows by looking at those fused to the chart.

 

[danderer]

Never thought of that. Thanks.