MFD portrait vs landscape orientation

ZZ13

Well-Known Member
Nov 25, 2009
5,319
Lady's Island, SC
Boat Info
2001 400 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins 450 Diamond
The main reason I use an iPad as my main chart plotter, while still keeping my old RL80C for long range view and data boxes, and a standalone radar display, is because they all move the boat along the longest part of the display. Lots of room to see what's coming in front of the boat. All the current expensive MFDs are wider than tall, yet they move the boat along the narrow vertical of the MFD. Lots of wasted display space showing you stuff far ranging to port and starboard, that has nothing to do with your route. I just ran a boat with a a128 and an e7. I split the a128 half chart and half radar. That was ok. But the e7 was practically useless to me because it moved the boat vertically on such a small space.

So, are there any MFDs out there that will let you set north up or course up to "north right / course right", such that the boat runs along the longest length of the display? Or am I the only one this bothers?
 
Bill I have a Raymarine 11" display and I know what you're talking about. I have the maximum offset in use and that puts the boat about 2/3 of the way down the screen.

When I'm running with the radar on (night, fog, etc.) I always overlay it on top of the plotter screen. Makes it easier for my feeble old brain to comprehend what I'm seeing on the screen.
 
The main reason I use an iPad as my main chart plotter, while still keeping my old RL80C for long range view and data boxes, and a standalone radar display, is because they all move the boat along the longest part of the display. Lots of room to see what's coming in front of the boat. All the current expensive MFDs are wider than tall, yet they move the boat along the narrow vertical of the MFD. Lots of wasted display space showing you stuff far ranging to port and starboard, that has nothing to do with your route. I just ran a boat with a a128 and an e7. I split the a128 half chart and half radar. That was ok. But the e7 was practically useless to me because it moved the boat vertically on such a small space.

So, are there any MFDs out there that will let you set north up or course up to "north right / course right", such that the boat runs along the longest length of the display? Or am I the only one this bothers?

Most newer MFDs allow for split/multi screen use so you can put other data or functions in the wasted space. I split mine with a smaller section holding my sonar and the larger with the chart. I can also overlay and resize data on these screens.

I also run multiple MFDs with north up on a zoomed out chart and course up on my zoomed in chart.

-Kevin
 
Bill I completely agree with your thought on this topic. It makes no since all the plotters are landscape instead of portrait. Anyway the new furuno models interface with the wireless radar I assume you still have so that’s a plus!
 
The world went landscape with the introduction of 16:9 in general. As stated above, I retain a RL80CRC and an A95 so I can see both as desired.
While landscape is good for the majority of visual entertainment, I agree, as in my situation, sometimes I'd rather see the vertical path. East West people might disagree. Bottom line, suggest it to the manufacturers. Can't be THAT big of a software thing to have the config setting, or real time swap (think of turning your phone sideways when you want to see a video full screen)
 

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