Overwhelmed with chartplotter options. Raymarine, Garmin, Navman, Lowrance, Standard Horizon, Magellan, JRC, Raytheon, Simrad, Furuno, Northstar, Sitex...? C-Map, Blue Chart, MapSource, Navionics...? WAAS, DGPS, Loran TD position format...? I'm seeking chartplotter user experience to influence a purchase decision. Usability, durability, etc. I don't venture out when the San Francisco coastal fog reduces visability to a distance just short of the mast from the cockpit, so there's no interest in radar. Nearing my 50's has robbed me of uncorrected short distance vision, so 6" plus [diagonal] screens look like a must. I preferr to sail without bimini, consequently readability in direct sunlight is also a plus. I have all Raymarine instruments and autopilot. Staying within a $1,000 budget would be helpful.
- Status
Here is what I did
on my new 356. I decided on Garmin 182C with internal antena. Internal antena make install real easy and works very well under bimini. I purchased the Blue Chart CD, the USB Programmer, and a 16MB chip. I can work on my computer at home, or a laptop on board to plot my routes...copy to the chip and load GPS. I spent $1100.00 total, not including the PC's I already owned.
on my new 356. I decided on Garmin 182C with internal antena. Internal antena make install real easy and works very well under bimini. I purchased the Blue Chart CD, the USB Programmer, and a 16MB chip. I can work on my computer at home, or a laptop on board to plot my routes...copy to the chip and load GPS. I spent $1100.00 total, not including the PC's I already owned.
Go for color over screen size
Recently installed Raymarine radar/mono chartplotter combo and readability in sublight is definitely an issue. I keep reminding myself I really need this "thing" at night and/or fog. Pricing is always an issue and kept me out of the color chartplotter business.You may want to sacrafice screen size = handheld for color and readability in all light conditions. I too have all Raymarine and shop that did installation even advised against buying extended warranty as I'm unlikely to experience problems.
Recently installed Raymarine radar/mono chartplotter combo and readability in sublight is definitely an issue. I keep reminding myself I really need this "thing" at night and/or fog. Pricing is always an issue and kept me out of the color chartplotter business.You may want to sacrafice screen size = handheld for color and readability in all light conditions. I too have all Raymarine and shop that did installation even advised against buying extended warranty as I'm unlikely to experience problems.
Standard Horizon's Color Chartploters ....
are your answer to both a nice size screen and the best looking color I have ever seen under 1000 dollars. I have the Cp150C and even with its 5" screen mounted over the companionway on my H-33, I can see it very well from the wheel. Move up one size to the next color unit.. sells for retail around $950 and you have a much larger screen and it excepts two cards at the same time. I love mine.
are your answer to both a nice size screen and the best looking color I have ever seen under 1000 dollars. I have the Cp150C and even with its 5" screen mounted over the companionway on my H-33, I can see it very well from the wheel. Move up one size to the next color unit.. sells for retail around $950 and you have a much larger screen and it excepts two cards at the same time. I love mine.
I have monochrome
...when I bought my chartplotter, there were still problems with color in sunlight, plus the color units were significantly more expensive. I've used my monochrome for two seasons now, and I've never once thought to myself, "gee, I wish the display was in color." So, if there's still a lot of price difference, and there's still problems with adequate brightness in color displays, you should at least consider monochrome.
...when I bought my chartplotter, there were still problems with color in sunlight, plus the color units were significantly more expensive. I've used my monochrome for two seasons now, and I've never once thought to myself, "gee, I wish the display was in color." So, if there's still a lot of price difference, and there's still problems with adequate brightness in color displays, you should at least consider monochrome.
Color, Wow
I started with the Ratheon monochrome and later upgraded to color. What a major difference! Can't really recommend Garmin over Ratheon or any other brand. Chipsets for Ratheon are EXPENSIVE!!! But, aren't they all.
I started with the Ratheon monochrome and later upgraded to color. What a major difference! Can't really recommend Garmin over Ratheon or any other brand. Chipsets for Ratheon are EXPENSIVE!!! But, aren't they all.
Garmin 176C
I use the Garmin 176 color on my H376. Screen is smaller, but internal antenna lets me use it below too. I had a power cord hard wired into the pedestal and integrated it with my ST6000 auto pilot. Cost was about $750 with chip & CD program.
I use the Garmin 176 color on my H376. Screen is smaller, but internal antenna lets me use it below too. I had a power cord hard wired into the pedestal and integrated it with my ST6000 auto pilot. Cost was about $750 with chip & CD program.
- Status