18 Comments
User's avatar
brad's avatar

Not sure if Jerry mentioned it, but Erwan's last free online update included a way to make the "Soundings" numbers - depth of water in feet or meters - bigger, so that if you're, say, six feet away from your Maptattoo, manning the tiller, while the Maptattoo is up by the companionway, you can still see the depth numbers on the screen.

Expand full comment
Jerry Culik's avatar

Yup, I needed the firmware update. And it was a good exercise to see how it's done...and not too terribly painful for someone who is not a computer expert (and uses a Chromebook) -- just follow the directions spelled out in the user manual. I tried the 2X mag, which is nice. And the tide icon was scaled up, too. Very nice!!

Expand full comment
Jerry Culik's avatar

Thanks for mentioning this, Brad. I might be behind on that update, and that's something that I'd really like to have. One other improvement I'd like to see is an easier to find and bigger icon for the current.

Expand full comment
Norman Wolfe's avatar

Great article as usual. Thanks for your thorough research and analysis.

Expand full comment
Jerry Culik's avatar

Thanks for the thumbs up, Norm!

Expand full comment
Harold (Phil) Truitt's avatar

You can bet there will be one of these on my boat by spring!

Expand full comment
brad's avatar

I don't think you'll regret it. It was a game changer for me, having one of these aboard for the first time, while cruising for several days in the Chesapeake last September.

Expand full comment
Jerry Culik's avatar

Look at the sale that's going on right now...

Expand full comment
Andre Casanova's avatar

Fabulous review!

Thank you

Expand full comment
Jerry Culik's avatar

Thanks, Andre. The feedback from you readers sure helps...see my note to Brad.

Expand full comment
Stephen Foyle's avatar

Great review. Is this device available in Europe with charts for Irish waters?

Expand full comment
Jerry Culik's avatar

Not yet. I would suggest that you reach out directly to Erwan Kerebel and tell him what you're after. He's been very accessible and responsive. There is also some interest in charts for other spots that aren't already covered.

Expand full comment
Rob Kunzig 57's avatar

My first thought is how is the E Screen with Polaroid sun glasses?

Expand full comment
Jerry Culik's avatar

No problem with my Cocoons. My sailing colleague also noted that he had no problem seeing the screen with his sunglasses. In contrast to using the MAPTATTOO, seeing my Garmin screen in full sunlight is tough, even with the intensity maxxed out.

Expand full comment
Rob Kunzig 57's avatar

Thanks Jerry!

Expand full comment
Bob Triggs's avatar

This is a great write-up. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Troy Reynolds's avatar

thanks for sharing amazing content

Expand full comment
Ken Van Camp's avatar

Terrific review, thanks! One of my favorite apps when cruising is Active Captain, and I don't own a dedicated GPS but I know many of them came with Active Captain data built in. Now that it's been bought by Garmin, I guess others don't have it built in? That's a shame if it's the case.

Expand full comment