Shopping for a Chart Plotter
 

I'm shopping for a Chart Plotter/GPS for my 255 Formula. i want about a 7" screen with capability for chart plotting, GPS, Depth Sounder,etc. I am ok with a binnacle mount. What are you guys running? I have set a budget of $1200-$1500. What's the best "Bang for the Buck" in that price range?

I have the Raymarine A70D, REALLY happy with it, the Lowrance HDS7 would work too, lots of options out there!

West marine is going to have the Garmin 740s on sale shortly, I have to check the flyer that just came in the mail. $899. It was $1499 last year. I bought one this year and am very happy with it so far. I haven't learned how to use all the functions yet. lol

I have the hds 5. The 7 is the same just larger screen and love these units. My vote goes to them john

Wow...that Garmin 740 with a 10% discount at West Marine looked like a great deal...until I noticed it does not come with a transducer!!

Still worth of consideration though.

I had a standard horizon on my last boat and it was "ok". Sold that boat and plotter went with it. Bought a new boat last month. I had a Samsung Galaxy tab 2 7 inch screen and decided to try out MX Mariner Program on it. Its a Marine GPS program. I have it mounted with a ram mount on the boat. It works GREAT. Far superior to the Standard Horizon unit. 160 for the Galaxy, 50.00 for the ram mount, and 10.00 for the MX Mariner Program. For 220 combined this just can not be beat.

Chris

Transducer is only about $100

Can this be seen in direct sunlight?

It is at least as viewable as my Standard Horizon was.. I don't think any tablets or chart plotters in the 7 inch size excel in direct sunlight. But it is viewable.

Chris

Lowrance elite 5 does everything g I want for a good price.

I got a 740s this year and I am happy.

http://www.moodeals.com/product-p/010-00835-03.htm

Thanks for that...great find!!

Have you hooked up with a transducer yet and if so which one?

I bought this transducer http://www.moodeals.com/product-p/010-10192-01.htm

Haven't hooked it up yet. I was shocked by how large it is. I have been debating putting one inside the boat instead this winter, not sure I want a small brick hanging off the transom. LOL

I am considering this one. Our boats aren't 24* all the way back and since I have an inner-liner in my bilge...I am thinking of putting it at the base of the cabin steps beneath the floor. It would be very easy to wire from that location and wouldn't require a hole in the hull....price is reasonable as well. Did you get the G2 map enhancement? That seems like a cool upgrade to give the 740 3D graphics.

I did, but have not even tried it yet. Been a bad summer for using the boat.

I have the Garmin G2 vision card. It is a nice addition.

I have always ben partial to Furuno, I used them on patrols boats in the military and they always got me home hahahaha

How plotters work at 80+mph ?

Can they follow the track anymoore, any experience what brand works good in high speeds ?

I have tab with navionics HD and that combo does not work in higher speeds.

I can't speak for 80+mph but just over 70 there is no issue with the garmin 740s.

You need to check with the manufacturer, I believe most manufacturers cored their hulls and the transducer won't work very well if at all through a cored hull.

I have a Garmin 546s on my 28 and I've had it to 90 with no problems, depth sounder is pretty much useless after 40 though. It's a smaller screen but the layout is easy to use and see even when I don't have glasses on and I'm flying in rough water.

If you haven't bought one yet, this is a pretty good deal. I think it is a one day deal 11/08/13

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...8#.Unzc-uIlgyM

Still love my Lowrance.. and they can be found pretty cheap
http://hornbucklemarine.net/phpBB3/d...ile.php?id=240

Guess I spoke to soon, the depth sounder has died and no help from tech support. They told that poor performance or no performance of the depth sounder is normal.

Garmin 500 series, I love mine-fast, great detail. Easy to use will underway.

We love our Garmins. Have a 740s on the Formula and Donzi and have been great. bigger is def better so go with the biggest that you can afford that will fit on your dash.

Amazon has 740s for $878 http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-...ds=Garmin+740s

Feel free to pm me...

Standard horizon cp500 with gps.

800.00

Just bought the cp590.

Look it up, you'll see it's a gift at 8

I got my garmin 740 on ebay for $839.00 with free shipping
the i talked to garmin and bought the airmar 79 transducer for $80.00
plus i added a garmin external gps just to hid the hole in my dash
this is the coolest touch screen unit
garmin warned me that a in hull transducer will not be that accurite above 50 but at 80 it seem extremely accurite to me
oh
i also added the bluechip 3d chip
i am extremely happy with the unit for the $1000.00 buck it cost me

I just got the West Marine Christmas catalog and they have the 740s for $799.

I love that 3D capability!