Garmin only charges $100 for the entire US chart set (the X2XX series). That seems like a good deal to me. Or you talking about the old BlueChart series? They could be shared among three units.

only 100 bucks after i spent 400 bucks for the unit.. Not into spending big money on a product then oh by the way have to spend more money just for it to work

The Garmin GPSMAP 640 comes loaded with US coastal and street maps. It is hard to read in the sunlight however; so take whatever you want to buy outdoors in the sunlight before you purchase.

Ck out the Garmin 740 also. Nice unit for the money but has no video inputs though. Also Simrad has the new NSS series they are touch and come in 7" , 8" and a 12". Built in Gps antenna. Ray marine also has anew E7. Hybrid touch, Bluetooth to your phone, iPod, iPad and a wireless control for the wheel.

Then let me re-phrase that. Garmin charges $100 less for their chartplotters if you don't want the charts included.

:drink:




I too which there was a decent solution utilizing the iPad. If someone could come up with a good way to mount it, protect it, charge it, and make it visible in sunlight, they'd all but kill the entire market for everybody else.

Its going to come. And when it does we will see garmins hold on the market loosen and products get way cheaper.

Do you think a I-pad is made for the beating it would take in a offshore boat?

Extended warranty! :drink:

Soldier, I don't think all of the concerns I mentioned are easily fixed, especially the display in direct sunlight. Wild brings up another good point, how well would they hold up to the vibration and impacts of offshore boating? I would be surprised if all of these things will be easily or quickly addressed.

At that point, it would no longer be an iPad... :drink:

If you look a the price of just a sunlight-viewable screen, you're already over the price of an iPad. Unless you've actually used the current generation of Garmin (and the marine brands) GPS's, don't be too quick to criticize the cost/benefits ratio. All of these companies make a very nice products in quantities far smaller than notebook PC's.