Chart plotter 101....

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,178
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
so my 12 year old standard horizon chart plotter died. Time to get a new unit and have been considering a Garmin 740. Any input..... I know there are so many good units. I have the Garmin blue hart for my iPad and love it so Was thinking Garmin for the mounted unit

Thanks!
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Well my Raymarine C-80 is still going strong and really like it for sure and would love to
upgrade to the new wifi or bluetooth to my tablet but do I really need that,if I up grade than my radar will not work with the newer units so if anything ever happens to my C-80
I will replace it with another C-80 from E-Bay and maybe you could also look on E-Bay.
Nick
 
Apr 8, 2010
2,238
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
If you are mounting your new plotter on the binnacle guard, be sure to delve into the install instructions about Safe Compass Distance. Many retailers like WM will feign ignorance of important stuff like this.
We were allowed to "check out" several new plotters from our local marine electronics shop and hold them right where they would be installed, a half foot above the steering compass. Most had the powerful permanent MAGNET chip door closure and really moved the dial ! :(

I went with a Lowrance 9" plotter with the friction-catch chip door and no magnetic interference. It gives us HD radar in full screen, split screen, or overlay.
If you go with the HD radar and integrated chart plotter technology from Simrad/Lowance, I believe you will start liking it in a couple of seconds. (!)
I can turn it on in our marina and "see" the rows of boats and distinguish individual boats.

Regards,
Loren