GPS/Chart Plotter
 

I boat mainly in the St Lawrence River area, and sometimes head West into Lake Ontario, I currently have a Garmin 210 GPS, which doesn't offer charts for the St Lawrence, and have discontinued the charts [G charts] they have, so, I am thinking I should look at something else.

What are you guys using?, I am looking for something that is very, very accurate, and has everything built in [depth finder, water temp, etc] dont care about radar since I would never need it, any input would be great guys, either what to buy, or what NOT to buy!

Thanks!
Michael

I bought the Garmin 420s last summer along with the card for the North East inland lakes and love it! I go up to the St. Lawrence every year for 10 days and that was the main reason I got it. For the most part I know my way around up there, but there's so much stuff to watch out for it gets a little crazy from time to time and the GPS is awesome! You have to make sure you get the transducer with it when you buy it. Tigergps.com has great prices and was the best I found when I was looking. It will tell you your accuracy, depth, water temp, speed, miles logged, and so on.

Hope that helps!

Jay

Cool, I will definately check it out, sounds like a good unit, thanks for the advice!

So, what exactly are the differences between a "GPS" and a "Chartplotter" they seem to do the same thing?

I have a Standard Horizon 7" Chart plotter with teh chip for all the Great Lakes including the St.Lawrence and Gaspe. It's full colour and very accurate!

Don't leave home without it.............:drink:

That sounds to be pretty close to exactly what I am looking for Stinger!, want I want is something I can put a chip in for my specific boating area [St Lawrence River] that will be deadly accurate and very detailed, not overly concerned about with Radar, sonar, satelite radio, guided missiles, etc ha ha] but, if it has those options that would be fine, could I trouble you for a part number? or website? so I can get an idea of price [Ebay here I come!!]

You have probably seen this, but, if not, check it out!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chris...1%7C240%3A1307

Last year We bought a Garmin 535S. while it's my first marine GPS, I think it works Great. This year we are installing the Sonar Transducer, Should make it a bit more useful.

Shawn

Does this unit give you points of interest? Such as marinas, gas stations, restaurants???

I got a Garmin 535s last year with the G2 vision chip for my area. Really like it, but there's definitely too much information on it when everything's turned on. The reload rate with the satellite map under the navigational map is too slow to drive with, so I generally just use it with the nav. map alone. I've got the sonar, and the "fish vision" or whatever they call it is kinda neat but in my experience is purely created from depths on the charts, not from the actual sonar.

That said, I was sailing this winter down south and the boat I was on had a Standard Horizon chartplotter that was just installed. I liked it because the screen was longer rather than taller, and the maps looked less cartoonish than my Garmin. If I was going to do it again I would most likely go for the Standard Horizon.

Great, thanks for the advice, what about the Lowrance stuff, I have looked at it, and it seems to be pretty nice also, I do agree with you on the "sensory overload" problem, I have looked at a few chartplotters at different marine stores and boat shows and sure as HECK wouldn't want to be hammering through waves at 50 or 60 MPH trying to read the darn thing!

Michael

Michael, I have used a Lowrance Chartplotter for the last couple of years and visit the 1000 Islands often, I have found it to work very well with plenty of detail. My unit also uses micro cards from Navionics so I always have all the maps of the Great Lakes and surounding waterways at my finger tips. The thing that I have found most useful is the size of the screen so as you said it is readable at 50-60 mph in full sun and pounding waves, I hope this helps.

Actually, that is a big help, I was first steered to the Garmin GPSmaps unit, but, after doing a little shopping, I am starting to really like the Lowrance stuff [not there is ANYTHING wrong with the Garmin stuff, in my opinion anyway]

I think I will get a Lowrance wide screen unit, I have an Older Garmin 210 now, and it works fine, but, its black and white and I cant find a chart for my boating area [1000 Islands] because they no longer make them.

"Northern Outlaw" where in 1000 Islands do you usually boat, and when?, I have a small cottage on Wolfe Island [South Shore] and have a 24ft Outlaw, although its quite a bit older than yours, if you are gonna be up in the Islands let me know, THANKS!