LIGHTED SEA CHARTS

Before radar, GPS, and other modern navigational tools, sailors and seafarers relied on the blinking lights of buoys and lighthouses to guide them safely through inclement weather and treacherous waters. These blinking lights were more than just a beacon of hope - they conveyed critical information through distinct patterns, allowing sailors to determine their exact location and steer clear of dangerous obstacles.

 

In fact, the patterns of blinking lights on buoys and lighthouses as seen today were so significant “back in the day” that they became known as "light characteristics," with each pattern representing a different location, hazard, or navigational aid. Some patterns include quick flashes, long flashes, and groups of flashes, all with the aim of aiding direction.

 

At Lighted Sea Charts, we pay homage to this tradition by accurately recreating these light characteristics on our illuminated nautical charts. We believe that there is something special about preserving this important piece of maritime history and bringing these objects of study into the modern era.

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Please call to discuss, in-depth your custom masterpiece.  732-470-8968

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• Charts are a stunning HD aircraft grade metal composite, with a touchable & UV resistant surface. These are built to be hands-on. Wipe clean with ease.  

• Charts are painted with AI, when you touch the surface you will get the texture and incredible detail that cannot be pictured.

• We take pride in making the chart reminiscent of the area as they are very detailed and 100% accurate. 

• All the navigational lights blink their proper light characteristics, relative brightness is correct i.e. lighthouses /  range lights, vs.buoys etc.

• Lights for bridges, buildings, airports, homes, stadiums and can be added and are recommended to help personalize the end result.

• Varnish is a final step, and is robotically applied in many layers to chart titles, location names, black topography lines, Etc. Varnish adds an incredible depth to the chart, both tactile and visually. Varnish grabs light like nothing else. 

• Stainless steel hardware is used for structural support, the chart is a sandwich of aerospace grade aluminum. 

• For proper installation on the wall, a premium French-cleat is supplied along with all mounting hardware.

• The frame is 3.5” wide, hand-stained, rough-cut barn-wood and is designed to enhance all my charts.  If you have a specific need, custom framing options available.

• Charts are designed to look best for hanging. This means, certain unnecessary details within the frame will be omitted.  We are very happy to customize the details of your specific chart needs.

• Everything needed to plug it in is provided.  This is a low voltage device (12v DC medical grade / UL listed).

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Fees

• $800: Complete metal chart framed in rustic barn-wood (see options). An incredibly high resolution chart with deep, rich hues we “bake” into a durable aviation grade composite.

• $10: Each light. The LED's are scaled to be the size of the "purple dot" on NOAA charts. <2mm 

• $125: Dimmer switch and program make night-viewing very enjoyable and is strongly recommended. The program reduces the relative brightness 90%.

• $299: Backlighting is adjustable manually, by phone app, smart-home or remote and is fully controllable, the light reflects from the backside of the frame. The unit is future-proof via an accessible and removable controller.

• $185: Wire pocket to make the outlet and power supply hidden. Allows the chart to be wired like a doorbell. Simply provide the chart with 12v DC. (Kit comes with 15’ of wire)

• $0: Power on both sides of chart (If you are purchasing as a gift and are not sure which side the outlet will be located)

------- Custom Cartography -------

• $0: Add a logo or personal message included when you provide the details.

• $200: Stitch two charts together. 

• $50: per cropped side to look proper. 

• $0: custom inset (use a small segment from one chart and apply it on the primary chart of study)

• $0: color shift the chart to match decor.

• $0: change scale

* Please see our video with frame materials we stock, but we will frame in anything you want, $ at market price. Charts can easily be reframed by anyone. 

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Warranty: For the lifetime of the chart. Return to studio for service at any time

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Our signature barnwood frames are available in almost any color. Desire something different, just ask.

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Questions & Answers

Over the years we have received a number of good questions.

We love to hear from you. Have an idea? Joel Gibson direct: 732-470-8968 call / text 

 

Q: When can I expect to see my amazing chart?

A: Generally 8-10 weeks, the busy season gets busy. Each chart is hand made. 

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Q: Are Lighthouses brighter than buoys.

A: Yes, along with the correct light characteristics, the lights' relative brightness is also correct. 

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Q: Will two lights with the same light characteristics blink simultaneously

A: I felt it was important for the lights to initiate randomly. This is why when the chart is first turned on not everything illuminates, there is a warm-up.

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Q: How do you address lighthouses or other aids to navigation that have red sectors or even white and green?

A: I thought randomness was important in a Lighted Sea Charts’ characteristics.  For instance, for draw bridges I have it alternate red and green. I usually achieve this by programming the “bridge operator” to ask the question every 20 seconds “should I open or close my bridge,” randomly it produces a result. Similarly lighthouses randomly choose what sector to display.

 

 

Q: Can I power it like a 12 V doorbell?

A: Yes, that tends to work well. If you are going to put this on a boat the unit can be made to accept 12-40v dc.

 

 

Q: How does it fasten to the wall. 

A: French cleat. It’s the best. Ship applications are a little different. 

 

 

Q: I want a particular frame. 

A: No problem, now, or in the future the frame can be swapped out like any-other. Charts generally require 16' of material.

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Q: How do you control the back-lighting around the frame?

A: One of three ways. Wirelessly via phone app or whole house automation, with the supplied remote control, or manually via buttons on the backside of the frame.

 

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Q: What happens if / when a light fails.

A: I answer only while knocking on wood. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is the method of controlling the brightness and duration of an LED and is directly proportional to the light's life-span. The longevity of the charts has always been important. The "lighthouse" program I created is very gentle on the LED's. No LED / ATON ever gets >70%. Most of the chart's lights are expected to exceed 50 years. The studio will always open the doors to a chart bearer. Light replacements are free, and it is possible to perform by the bearer at home or in the field. 

 

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Q: How bright are the lights. 

A: They are bright. The dimmer is necessary for proper night viewing.

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Q: Are you GOVERNMENT compliant. 

A: Yes, across the board. We are vetted and form 889 compliant. Our charts are in NAVY ships and Gov. offices.

Our charts are built in GLP conditions. 

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Q: Can your charts be used in commercial applications. 

A: Yes, built / priced a little differently. They need to withstand a 200 lbs. person loosing their balance and putting their shoulder into it. All charts are now metal. The insides are simply fortified. 

 

Q: Can I run it on batteries?

A: yes, the charts come with a power supply that plugs into any outlet 110v-240v 50/60hz, the operating voltage is either 5V or 12 V DC. There’s a number of ways to accomplish what you’re looking for.​

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Q: Your Lighted Sea Charts sound like they're built to stand the test of time. With projected light lifespans exceeding 50 years and free servicing available for generations, how can I ensure my custom chart of our home port will endure for even longer?

A:  We're committed to creating heirloom-quality pieces that can be enjoyed for centuries. To guarantee the longevity of your Lighted Sea Chart, we offer the same service we provide to military clients (this is a rare inquiry, but we're proud to have an answer):

 

• Internal Service Kit: A sealed, EMP-proof container with all components needed for multiple rebuilds.

• User-Friendly Maintenance**: Anyone capable of installing a home alarm system can successfully service the chart using the provided tools.

• All charts from the studio offer durable materials: 

  - Chart surface: Incredibly tough and resistant to UV radiation exposure

  - Critical connections: Friction-fit for maximum durability

  - Frame components: Stainless steel, aluminum, and PVC for long-term endurance

 

While the wooden frame may eventually age, the chart itself is designed to be enduring of sun-light and environmental conditions. Over the next many years, you might choose to update the frame to match changing decor, but the illuminated chart will continue to shine bright and maintain its accuracy. call for more details.

 

Our goal is to create a piece that not only illuminates your space but also becomes a cherished family heirloom, passing down maritime history and personal connection to the sea for generations to come.

 

Q: I’ve never heard of custom LED’s

A: It runs in the family. Shout-out to mom Holly Gibson and Little Light Ups. In the 1980’s she invented, at the time, the smallest lightbulb in the world. It was an actual filament bulb the size of a pencil tip. She makes the most amazing commissioned miniature displays. 

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