Best GPS/Chartplotter
 

Comment:
Looking for real world experience on a GPS Chartplotter unit. The brand preference is Garmin because I have a few of these if you can suggest a certain model it would be much appreciated.

NOTE: I am not set in stone on this brand if you can recommend alternate unit it is just a first choice preference.

The pros and cons would be appreciated not just X because it is what I run...rather the facts that support the recommendation...WHY!

I looked at a Garmin 740 touch screen and found out it is not a good choice when sprayed with water it will not work. Requirements are NEMA 2000 or equivalent and not a huge screen due to dash size.

Anyother comments are appreciated--- use will be mainly in saltwater. I'd rather obtain some input from boaters than hear a sales persons pitch:readinghelp:.

KAP

Don't know about the water issue. It says on the specifications that it's waterproof to IPX7 standards:
Garmin 740 specs.

I'm using one (in a canopied boat) and love it. Livorsi makes a really nice billet bezel for them, too.

I've owned about five different Garmin devices, starting with a small hand-held almost 20 years ago up to 12" chartplotters, and have been happy with both their operation and support.

Garmin seems to have the best all around ease of use and reliability.

Lowrance seem harder to operate, but if that's what you know it's easy.


Tried to use a Navico once, again, a little difficult, but if used often I'm sure it's easier.

Probably of no use for ya Kap, but you asked,lol.

I use a 12" Raymarine on one side and a 10 Lowrance on the other. LEI has some good topo software. The Ray is hooked set up as radar also. LEI is set to bottom also... both are GPS.

Hello C-Spray:

Their is a great video demonstration on You Tube wherein the testers sprays water on the screen and you cannot use the touch screen function due to water on the screen. Uh! no thanks to that unit I can only imagine some light rain, fog, condensation and not being able to use it.

Oh! I agree we own several Garmin devices and enjoy them but I wanna get the right one. I would like to upgrade but rather than base my decision on what I read on the net reviews--- I'd rather hear someone say Hey! Kap this the one... to have... a must have item if your gonna spend the cash.

Plus, an actual user will say these are the main features you will use...X or Y. Whereas, some units you need to be an electrical engineer to recall exactly how to use it.

KAP
P.S. So far I'm undecided... I want one that is easy to use good value,and works.

Can you control the radio through any of these Garmin units? I currently have a Lowrance HD screen (color) and like it. Any Lowrance models worth looking at? Doesn't Raymarine offer a unit that ties everything together (audio, video, etc)???

Comment:

I'm beginning to really believe the majority of people with chartplotters and GPS units do not know how to use them or know enough about them to comment.

Now the commercial fisherman and charter guys would probably be a better source of information. Only problem is they will recommend something far in excess of what my needs are not to mention dash space.

KAP

I hear ya. the only experience I have is with the Lowrance unit that is better suited as a fish finder, etc. I would like to know what unit is best for a recreational/speed boat. I like simplicity, but if you can operate media through it, I feel it would condense the need to add individual controllers everywhere.

Hey Frickstyle:

I agree it would be nice to have a recommendation about a speed performance boat gps chartplotter unit.

You see all these big screens in the bigger boats and I would bet the owners do not have a clue on how to use them properly. I can recall one evening coming in when the fog rolled in glad I had a handheld unit to help navigate back. It is even better when the screen stays lite up constantly at night versus going into a power save feature.

I will talk to some captains and see if they can help me or point me in the right direction. It is a big hole to cut in the dash only to find out later you really only need X or Y.

KAP

My thoughts exactly. I'm removing the compass and want to chop a hole in the dash, but really would like recommendations on units before I permanently change something.

Kap,

I'm gonna chime in here :) I have the 740s in our DCB. On JOTJ we got hit with rain and wind and everything was wet. It still functioned for me, and I was using the "zoom in and out" as we came into Hampton and then Portsmith as we not familiar with where to go. Worked for me........ I think with any test, youtube or whatever, someone can always find a failure or success story.

Garmin 4212. It wouldn't fit on the dash, so I made a home for it. Real-time satellite weather, video in/out, XM radio in/out, linked to the VHF for distress/DSC calling/locations, and - - - - - wireless remote control.

They make an 8" version as well.

Hey Dre and C-Spray:

Dre I initially wanted the 740 for the touch screen aspect but the demostration video shook my confidence. I will primarily use it for salt water and we are close to Mexican waters I do not want to guess about anything.

The 4212 was the next model the electronics guy at West Marine recommended and it is huge. Do you take it out of the boat during storage?

I would cringe if I had to leave it in the boat due to theft.

KAP

P.S. They have a great class on navigation I want to take. So I can improve my overall boating skills namely plotting in the ocean and tracking returns in the darkest nights.

I am a fan of the 5212 by Garmin. it is by far the easiest and most intuitive unit I have used. We had the hd radar built in, and it would overlay over the chartplotter. I also found it to be incredibly accurate, both distance to a channel mark and depths. With the size of the screen it was also very easy to pan around and look at the surroundings, even when using the split screen with a depth sounder and chart plotter. Also very easy to see even in direct sunlight.

We would routinely hose it off, and completely soak it because it was in a rigid inflatable and get all the salt off the boat after towing it from Florida to the Bahamas, never once had a problem with it not working or responding because of the water.

The only problem I really found with the unit was if you are out in the dark, and turn it on, the brightness will really screw with your night vision until you turn the brightness down on the unit, on full brightness the unit puts out a whole lot of light.

Garmin GPSMap 546S- couple of friends at the marina recently bought the 546S and I'm considering one. The unit is small, displays are clear, seems pretty simple to use, and the price is right for someone that will only use it a few times a year. Options include weather, sonar, road maps (?), but no radar. They only have a 5" screen which can be a downside but I have very limited space for one so the small size works for me. I might look at the 740....

Like I said - check the 4208 (or 5208 if you want a touchscreen). My boat lives in a locked drystack, so I don't worry. If I do want to remove it, it only takes 2 screws and 2 connectors.

Check your options here:
Garmin Chartplotters

I have a Garmin 545s from my previous boat, which is the predicesor to the 546s. It is great. I like it so much I am thinking of replacing the Garmin 176 that came on my Formula. Not sure yet which is better. Bigger screen would be great but for the money it is easy to use .

best gps/chartplotter
 

I'm seriously looking at the 5212 for my skater dash. where's a good place to buy?

Been in the electronics business 30 yrs. Familiar with all units. For hp boats I recommend the Garmin products. Ease of uses. Heres the deal. There are many models some touch some not. The 4200 series is button operated last generation. 5200 series touch last generation. The latest is the 6200/7200series button or touch. These units have a much faster processor/full screen video. The redraw is much better especially running fast on a zoomed in chart level. Also Garmin is best with interfacing with engine packages that support nmea 2000.
For me the 740 is a good inexpensive unit but no video input and the screen is a little small for me.

Well my college roommate has a 34 Bertram, he has a $15k Furuno Navnet, it's GPS/Radar/Sounder. It's incredible, but it's BIG and expensive, but I've never seen ANY plotter due what this thing could do. You might want to check into Furuno.

The garmin products are great the second best marine GPS made. Super easy to use and very well featured.

I love my garmin product.

Furnos navnet 3d is the current state of the art in marine GPS.
The Furunos performance is stunning especially when blending radar and AIS target data over the map - its screen performance runs away from the garmin like its chained to a house.

It has the edge over the garmin performance wise but is harder use. Its also hard to get west coast lake maps for.

Architecturally the Furuno product is way more expandable using the same core sensors.

You see most commercial fisherman using Furuno product.




Uncle Dave