Since 2006, Hydrographica’s chart data has been available for use in navigators/plotters from the major manufacturers. Nowadays, other platforms such as tablets, smartphones, and laptops are also becoming increasingly common for navigation. We currently have agreements with Garmin/Navionics, Navico/C-map, Chartworld/raymarine/Seapilot AB and Skippo, allowing them to use our data in their chart products.
Vector charts
The navigators used today primarily rely on electronic charts in vector format.
Vector charts always differ significantly in appearance compared to paper charts, regardless of whether the surveys and data are provided by the Swedish Maritime Administration or Hydrographica. Each distributor applies its own design and cartography to the vector charts, and this is something neither Hydrographica nor the Swedish Maritime Administration can control.
Hydrographica does not sell the vector charts; they are obtained from resellers of the respective manufacturers’ products, see the links at the bottom of this page. Depending on the distributor’s timing for updating the chart packages, vector charts may lag behind our own publications by up to one year.
Raster charts
Previously, BSB charts have been an alternative to vector charts, but the BSB format now seems to be on its way out, mainly because very few platforms support it. A raster chart always looks exactly the same as the original/paper chart. They cannot be edited or customized in the same way vector charts can, but this also means that no unintentional settings can cause information to “disappear,” and the cartography and design are adapted to ensure that all information is clear and legible.
Hydrographica does no longer distribute distribute charts in BSB format.
Navigational guidance
Hydrographica’s data has a positional accuracy normally within five meters or better, which is significantly higher than that of other charts. With a standard GPS you can expect an accuracy of 5–15 meters. This means that a perceived incorrect position in Hydrographica’s charts mainly is due to the GPS equipment. With a differential GPS, however, the situation is reversed: the GPS is usually more accurate than the chart. The conclusion is that no matter what equipment you use, there will always be some error, and you must always be aware of this and never rely blindly on the technology. A chart can hardly be completely free from errors, and Hydrographica’s charts are no exception to that rule. You must be prepared to encounter inaccuracies and omissions even in electronic charts, and navigate with caution—particularly inside the 3- and 2-meter depth contours. Also remember that technology rarely tells you when something is wrong. On the screen everything may look perfectly correct, while outside the boat reality can be very different—and in all circumstances, it is reality that prevails.
Use technology with good judgment, and always keep up-to-date paper charts at hand. Even the most reliable digital systems can crash, but your eyes and your brain almost always work.
Our distributors under license
Below are the providers of electronic charts that have integrated our data.
Garmin/
Navionics
Since Garmin acquired Navionics in 2018, Navionics has been supplying data in both Navionics format and Garmin format.
Navico/C-map
C-MAP is owned by NAVICO, which also owns the brands Lowrance, Simrad, and B&G.
Skippo
Skippo distributes chart data through its own app. Data from Hydrographica, where available, can be purchased as a supplement via the app.