In a recent contribution to Forum by Commandant L. Oudet (Journal, 17, 88) the problem of the rational form that marine radar displays should take has been raised. The old argument of ‘ship's head upwards’ or ‘north upwards’ may be resolved by a combination of the best of both systems without compromise to either school of thought.

Before starting on how this may be achieved a short digression on terminology should not be out of place. The advantages in the use of a ‘north upwards’ display, i.e. true bearings, lack of smear, accurate plotting and the ability to add ‘true motion’ do not stem fundamentally from the fact that north is at the top but because the picture is ‘compass stabilized’. The ‘north up’ condition is purely a matter of convenience. The ‘north upwards’ display would be better termed ‘compass stabilized north upwards’.