The extra memory capacity means that boaters can reduce the number of chart cartridges they require.

For example, says Navionics, chart 25G (UK South/Hamburg) extends across the whole south and east coast of the UK up to the Wash, and across the channel to France, Belgium, Netherlands (including all the inland waterways), and up to North West Germany.

The changes to memory capacity at the existing price is due to Navionics changing to industry standard memory cards instead of the previous proprietary cards.

The company says the proprietary cards were less efficient and more expensive than generic memory cartridges.

Navionics XL3 charts are now loaded onto multi media card (MMC) or compact flash (CF) cartridges. They say the cards are compatible with leading brands of chartplotters, including Eagle, Geonav, Humminbird, Lowrance, Northstar and Raymarine. XL3 charts are also compatible with PC navigational packages including Geonav, PC plotter, Seatrack and SW&N.

The new vectorized XL3 charts use Navionics' seamless technology, providing the same level of detail as Navionics Small and XL charts at up to 16 zoom levels, with data on navaids, tide and currents and port services.

The new XL3 range of charts now covers Europe, Africa, Australasia and the US. There are 19 charts covering the whole of Europe through to Africa and the Red Sea.

Coverage areas, globally, are being continually extended.

Navionics UK T: 01752 204735 E: sales@navionics.co.uk W: navionics.com