This question might possibly be more interesting for those who are just diving into the world of navigation. However, as things stand, this article could also be helpful to anyone passionate about the sea. To begin with, there is a real debate going on between these two schools, yet it’s tough to say which nautical chart format is better than the other, as the choice depends most of the time on user habits or personal preference.
The original Raster introduction with the NN3D/Maxsea TZ was a game changer.. Nobody had the ability to render a raster image with the speed that available on both platforms, and a result, we supplied a boatload of those systems BECAUSE of those raster’s due to the client base primarily growing up using paper charts. I still personally prefer the Raster charts, especially for planning, although our clients have tended to gravitate to the vectors especially whilst underway or fishing a spot; most are happy with the NOAA HOs, although we’ve supplied plenty of unlocks for C-Map and Navionics over the past two years for sport and commercial fishermen. Prior to the purchase, and I recommend this to any dealer, is to take screenshots of the areas those clients plan to fish as explaining ‘quilting’ and raster zoom levels can be a bit much, (screenshots easily done with TZ Pro!) and show them at various zoom levels the detail on the .DBVs from each manufacturer so they can choose what suits them best. Explaining the nature of how the MM3D chart format works versus what they may have seen on a Navionics plotter or app can be a difficult item to people to digest, so pictures are worth a thousand words. Lastly, PLEASE try and expedite the MM3D CMOR conversion for the Northeast! I know it takes a ton of time for that process, but our clients are chomping at the bit for coverage from the Long Island Sound through New England.