Bizer vs Duncan Press

pjard · 07-10-2014, 07:33 PM

OK...so I know this has been discussed a zillion times on the board but I had to chime in. I've been using both the Bizer and Duncan Press laminated charts this year. I have to say that Bizer wins hands down. The Duncan Press is terrible for depths and has MANY errors especially when it comes to the supposed "Marine Patrol Approved Routes". Many of them actually go onto and through land masses. I'm sorry to anyone who works at or sells the Duncan Press chart but it's in need of improvement.

Rich · 07-11-2014, 06:12 AM

Yes, I hate to say it, but I purchased the latest (this year's) Duncan press chart, hoping it would be better and act as a good backup/alternate to the Bizer chart, but it didn't work out as well as I had hoped.

You can see my review (and other's comments) here: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=17149

I will add that this year I updated my Navionics chart chip for my Raymarine GPS chart plotter. I found an update chip available online for about $85. This is there new 'Update+' version which allows you to update it as much as you like for one year. It also allows you to put as many charts on your chip that will fit. At 2 GB, that chip can hold the whole East coast. I was impressed in that their new update includes what looks like every dock on the lake, in addition to the updated navigation info.

It has depth contours every 1 foot, and if others on the lake with modern equipment send their depth soundings back to Navionics (it's very easy to do), the chart will be improved and grow in accuracy as users upload their readings. So consider this a PLEA to have boaters on the lake with Navionics charts and compatible chart plotters to get this update and send their depth readings Navionics.

Note: I will add that Bizer doesn't make compatible data for the Raymarine chart plotters. But I do have a Bizer chip for a 2 year old Garmin GPS chart plotter.

ishoot308 · 07-11-2014, 08:58 AM

My new Duncan map blew out of the boat in the broads a couple days ago. I don't miss it...

I'll say it again...For the life of me I simply don't know why Duncan didn't keep the exact format as their "old green chart" and simply update it... They HAD a winner and ruined it!

Dan

Dave R · 07-11-2014, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

My new Duncan map blew out of the boat in the broads a couple days ago. I don't miss it...

I'll say it again...For the life of me I simply don't know why Duncan didn't keep the exact format as their "old green chart" and simply update it... They HAD a winner and ruined it!

Dan

I still have an ancient laminated one of those on my boat. It's excellent.

Happy Gourmand · 07-11-2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

I still have an ancient laminated one of those on my boat. It's excellent.

It seems like there was no collaboration with anybody in the boating community before they published this chart. Didn't somebody point out that it was indicated that it was not to be used for navigation?
Previously, I thought it was a tossup ans to which chart I used, Bizer or Duncan, but with the latest revision, there is only one I'd consider.
Why did they do that?

pjard · 07-11-2014, 02:02 PM

So I'm certainly not alone...I thought I was being picky.

JasonG · 07-11-2014, 06:32 PM

I am a fan of the Bizer charts. And not just because I print them on performance t-shirts!
(Yes, with their permission)

You can get these locally in the region, but I am not sure if posting a specific place like that violates the rules for the forum.

Fast Algae · 07-11-2014, 08:16 PM

Kinda like the lining of a WW2 aviators jacket.

GodSmile · 07-19-2014, 07:51 AM

I have both the chart and chip for the Garmin GPS.... I find both to be very accurate and helpful.

MAXUM · 07-19-2014, 09:02 AM

Guess I'm one of the few that prefer the old green map. In fact I have a bunch of them dating back to 2000. I was disappointed when Duncan released the "split map" but now I see they are back to putting it all on one page with their latest edition for 2014.

Bizer maps are just way to busy to look at, I prefer a simple and clean without information overload. Plus how can you beat either a black or a red dot to depict a marker? Guess I'm to simple minded.

Island-Ho · 07-19-2014, 05:47 PM

If you like the green map stick with your old one. The 2014 version has way too many errors on it. they must have a new editor that has never seen the lake.

07-10-2014, 07:33 PM	#1
pjard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 626 Thanks: 453 Thanked 184 Times in 97 Posts	Bizer vs Duncan Press OK...so I know this has been discussed a zillion times on the board but I had to chime in. I've been using both the Bizer and Duncan Press laminated charts this year. I have to say that Bizer wins hands down. The Duncan Press is terrible for depths and has MANY errors especially when it comes to the supposed "Marine Patrol Approved Routes". Many of them actually go onto and through land masses. I'm sorry to anyone who works at or sells the Duncan Press chart but it's in need of improvement. Last edited by pjard; 07-11-2014 at 01:52 PM.

07-11-2014, 06:12 AM	#2
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,219 Thanks: 68 Thanked 341 Times in 231 Posts	Yes, I hate to say it, but I purchased the latest (this year's) Duncan press chart, hoping it would be better and act as a good backup/alternate to the Bizer chart, but it didn't work out as well as I had hoped. You can see my review (and other's comments) here: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=17149 I will add that this year I updated my Navionics chart chip for my Raymarine GPS chart plotter. I found an update chip available online for about $85. This is there new 'Update+' version which allows you to update it as much as you like for one year. It also allows you to put as many charts on your chip that will fit. At 2 GB, that chip can hold the whole East coast. I was impressed in that their new update includes what looks like every dock on the lake, in addition to the updated navigation info. It has depth contours every 1 foot, and if others on the lake with modern equipment send their depth soundings back to Navionics (it's very easy to do), the chart will be improved and grow in accuracy as users upload their readings. So consider this a PLEA to have boaters on the lake with Navionics charts and compatible chart plotters to get this update and send their depth readings Navionics. Note: I will add that Bizer doesn't make compatible data for the Raymarine chart plotters. But I do have a Bizer chip for a 2 year old Garmin GPS chart plotter. __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

07-11-2014, 08:58 AM	#3
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,926 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 4,937 Times in 1,913 Posts	My new Duncan map blew out of the boat in the broads a couple days ago. I don't miss it... I'll say it again...For the life of me I simply don't know why Duncan didn't keep the exact format as their "old green chart" and simply update it... They HAD a winner and ruined it! Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

07-19-2014, 07:51 AM	#9
GodSmile Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 188 Thanks: 91 Thanked 56 Times in 36 Posts	Love the Bizer chart and GPS chip I have both the chart and chip for the Garmin GPS.... I find both to be very accurate and helpful.

07-19-2014, 05:47 PM	#11
Island-Ho Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 176 Thanks: 19 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	New map is a mistake If you like the green map stick with your old one. The 2014 version has way too many errors on it. they must have a new editor that has never seen the lake.

07-11-2014, 02:02 PM	#6
pjard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 626 Thanks: 453 Thanked 184 Times in 97 Posts	So I'm certainly not alone...I thought I was being picky.

07-11-2014, 06:32 PM	#7
JasonG Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 310 Thanks: 48 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts	I am a fan of the Bizer charts. And not just because I print them on performance t-shirts! (Yes, with their permission) You can get these locally in the region, but I am not sure if posting a specific place like that violates the rules for the forum.

07-11-2014, 08:16 PM	#8
Fast Algae Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Kinda like the lining of a WW2 aviators jacket.

07-19-2014, 09:02 AM	#10
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	Guess I'm one of the few that prefer the old green map. In fact I have a bunch of them dating back to 2000. I was disappointed when Duncan released the "split map" but now I see they are back to putting it all on one page with their latest edition for 2014. Bizer maps are just way to busy to look at, I prefer a simple and clean without information overload. Plus how can you beat either a black or a red dot to depict a marker? Guess I'm to simple minded.