Chartplotters

Guest · Feb 8, 2009

Chartplotter

The family got me a Garmin 178C Sounder three years ago and it is a wonderful machine. I got the preprogrammed data card that covers Puget Sound north to the Alaska border. We just finished our fourth two month cruise through the San Juans, Gulf, Discovery and Broughton Island groups.

Garmin discontinued the 178C, but they have newer models to choose from. It has everything I need right at my finger tips. Tide tables, depth, bottom type, plus all the charting information. I have it tied in with our autopilot, so cruising is pretty nice.

Chuckbear · Feb 8, 2009

Look at the Standard Horizon Plotters. In my opinion the absolute best bang for the buck and very user friendly. Find the size you want and search the web and you will find some great deals. Oh, and by the way they are a very dependable piece of equipment.

higgs · Feb 8, 2009

Seaclear is a program that will run on your windows laptop and it is free download on the web. It uses Noaa RCN charts which are also free. You only need an external GPS reciever - available for around $75. Not sophisitcated, but it tells you where you are displayed on a NOAA chart.

Stu Jackson · Feb 8, 2009

One of the best hints I've seen was recently posted

right here: go into a store and try them out and see which one is most intuitive for you. If you need a manual to operate it because it doesn't "seem" right for how YOUR brain functions, it doesn't matter much how much WE like any unit.

As for "best," did you ask your mom which girl would be the "best" for you to marry?

Bill Roosa · Feb 9, 2009

Begin with the end in mind

I assume you will be doing other cruising over the course of the life of the chartplotter. You will want to figure out how to purchase those charts and load them. The cost of new or updated charts is the biggest cost in any chartplotter system. Also effects resale if you buy into a technology that is going to be obsolete and not supported in the future.

I find that free software and maps is the cheapest solution and lets me have my computer on board to track other things like fuel and maintenance etc.

I use Chart navigator from Maptech (they went out of business BTW but their software still works if you can get a copy) and NOAA charts.

BobM · Feb 9, 2009

If cost effective is your primary concern, be careful what you buy as the cost of chart upgrades can be significant and vary, even for the same plotter. Some have vast features now, including satellite photos of harbors you are about to enter, but you have to pay to take advantage of those features. I have an older Standard Horizon and can upgrade a single card per year for about $80. I need two cards for my immediate area and plan to rotate updates so that the cards are no more than a year out of date.

Barnacle Bill · Feb 9, 2009

I am a big fan of GARMIN. I have used several of their models through the years and currently own two handhelds and two that are hard wired in on two different boats. I have used other brands and just keep buying GARMIN. OH, I own a GARMIN GPS for road use for my vehicles too. I'm just a happy GARMIN guy

Navigate_us · Feb 9, 2009

I would always start with Charts (or maps), ask around your dock and find out who uses what and why?. If all being equal then select the best quality display (Largest, brightness, viewability) Then try the basic functions (goto waypoint, create route, find ship). You could probably find a low price Standard with a larger display if you have the room.
If you pm me, I will send you a comparison chart for 525s and the 527, it will save you some time and I will give you a linnk for multi quotes on line, regards
Kieran

kloudie1 · Feb 9, 2009

Garmin 525s is a good one.. I am running a similar 545 .. I went there because of the built in charts of US waters..and the ability to use the weather interface and satellite shots that Bob mentioned. I am a Garmin fan too with an old handheld, and one in each car.

atom · Feb 9, 2009

Everyone's advice here is spot on. My two main considerations would be cartography and ease of use.

Decide who has the best charts for your sailing areas, then go and try out that unit. If the operating system is not intuitive to you, then look at the other. Trying out chartplotters is like shopping for shoes, there is function and fit.

Good luck in your search.

Capt. Kermie · Feb 9, 2009

Two Regions

One of the considerations to keep in mind is how many regions you are in. The Pacific Northwest is divided into two regions, one is the Canadian Gulf Islands and the other is the American San Juans and Puget Sound. Garmin charges seperately for the two regions.
If the model has an 's' after it as in 525s it designates that it has both a chartplotter and sonar (depth sounder) something else to consider. I am actually looking at the 520s or 525s because I already have a Garmin 76cs with bluecharts so I can load them onto a second unit.

Benny · Feb 9, 2009

I'm partial in favor of Garmin products as I find them easy to use. As far as navigating a specific geographical location it depends largely on the available charts. A color display with good resolution will enhance the functionality.

Guest · Feb 9, 2009

Capt. Kermie said:
One of the considerations to keep in mind is how many regions you are in. The Pacific Northwest is divided into two regions, one is the Canadian Gulf Islands and the other is the American San Juans and Puget Sound. Garmin charges seperately for the two regions.
If the model has an 's' after it as in 525s it designates that it has both a chartplotter and sonar (depth sounder) something else to consider. I am actually looking at the 520s or 525s because I already have a Garmin 76cs with bluecharts so I can load them onto a second unit.

In reference to our Garmin 178C, we have a data card with one chart region, which covers all of Puget Sound north to the top end of Georgia Strait including Gulf Islands and the east side of Vancouver Island. We have a separate data card that covers the region from Port Gardner (Everett, WA) to the Alaska border and both west and east sides of Vancouver Island, FWIW. It all depends on what package you need.

Terry

BarryL · Feb 10, 2009

Lowrance

PFSparks said:
I am debating as to which is the best, cost effective chart plotter for cruising the Georgia Straight in our Hunter 31. I have investigated the Lowrance LMS-527c and the Garmin 525s.
Any thoughts?

Hi,

I have the Lowrance LMS332, the predecessor to the 527, and I am very happy with it. I was easy to install, easy to use, and works very well. I bought the Lowrance detailed chart for all US waters for about $50 and the information is great. In addition to all US charts it also has tidal information and local points of interest.

I can definitely recommend Lowrance.

Barry

sailingdog · Feb 10, 2009

Be aware that the Garmins are the only self-contained chartplotters currently using the Explorer based charts for the Bahamas and as such are far more accurate than the other brands in those waters. Personally, I like and use the Garmin chartplotters, as they're well designed, reasonably priced and relatively bulletproof.

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