Northstar 550i GPS / Plotter - opinions?
 

Anyone have one of these by chance? Like - dislike - why? I need a GPS / plotter that can accept C-Map Charts, has to be a smaller unit, built in antenna and color. I was looking at this one and the SH 180i, and can't find any good pros & cons anywhere.

Thanks,
Mark

Livorsi catalogs it and makes a matching bezel for it. It's very popular- assumably for a reason. I have one here in the box awaiting installation so the best hands-on I can give you is that it looks nice.

lol! Thanks Chris - it is a good-lookin' unit, and like the size and the U/I - esp. the fuel mgmt. and Smartcarft interfaces.

Hope the install goes well for you.

I just went through this exact deal. I stopped at Consumer marine electorinics and they are large distributors for the brands. consumermarine.com They are located here in NJ and they told there is no comparision to the Garmin. So I bought the Garmin and a little cutting and welding made that bezel fit the Garmin.

I used this one in a test boat. I really liked it but I had problems with it on hot sunny days. The screen would eventually black out so bad you couldnt see it anymore.

Northstar makes a reliable product but the GUI isn't as friendly as it could be. The command a ridiculous price IMO.

Garmin is probably a better choice for the average performance boater.

If you run by yourself a lot and need more reliability go with Northstar + a backup.

I saw the 550i on Ebay today for $375, BIN.

Well, I am kind of limited to the Northstar or the Standard Horizon as I need C-Map capabilities... The Garmin version of the lake chart is ok - but not as comprehensive as the C-Map version.

Heres mine havent used it yet but it looks good.


Got a great deal from kirk at Elite Marine, Inc.


David