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Garmin 276c
We just got the Garmin 276c about a month ago and love it. It seems that you would have to buy the BlueChart chart for it to be useful, and that was another $150 for the preprogrammed chip. If you don't have the charts, then it would be far less useful. The screen resolution is really nice and the color is good - the night mode seems to be a good feature when it is dark (whiter colors becomes blacker in the charts). The screen could be a little bigger, but I guess you pay bigger bucks for that. I like the fact that it can take it with you but can mount it also - semiportable I guess you say. Seems like a good product for the price. Let me know if you have any specific questions about the unit.
We just got the Garmin 276c about a month ago and love it. It seems that you would have to buy the BlueChart chart for it to be useful, and that was another $150 for the preprogrammed chip. If you don't have the charts, then it would be far less useful. The screen resolution is really nice and the color is good - the night mode seems to be a good feature when it is dark (whiter colors becomes blacker in the charts). The screen could be a little bigger, but I guess you pay bigger bucks for that. I like the fact that it can take it with you but can mount it also - semiportable I guess you say. Seems like a good product for the price. Let me know if you have any specific questions about the unit.
try the 172C
i have the 172c and love it. it about the same price (wait for the boat shows early next year and get a real deal) or maybe cheaper and the display is larger... i got mine from defender last spring at the miami boat show and paid under $500
i have the 172c and love it. it about the same price (wait for the boat shows early next year and get a real deal) or maybe cheaper and the display is larger... i got mine from defender last spring at the miami boat show and paid under $500
Take a look at the
Magellan fx324, Real nice screen (color) low cost $399.00 LOTS of functions,..I Love mine!
Magellan fx324, Real nice screen (color) low cost $399.00 LOTS of functions,..I Love mine!
Chart Plotter
You should always be prepared to do your navigation using a paper chart, ruler and dividers! that said, I am looking at the Lowrance GlobalMap 3300C Color 5" Chartplotter that sells for $500 at West Marine (includes the unit and a WAAS antenna). My friend that I go cruising with in Buzzards Bay has a Lowrance and I like the user interface and the features.
You should always be prepared to do your navigation using a paper chart, ruler and dividers! that said, I am looking at the Lowrance GlobalMap 3300C Color 5" Chartplotter that sells for $500 at West Marine (includes the unit and a WAAS antenna). My friend that I go cruising with in Buzzards Bay has a Lowrance and I like the user interface and the features.
Chart Plotter "Add Ons"
When you figure the price of each unit don't forget to check the prices of the 'chip' you will need. Looks like anything from $130-$250. Then how about whatever cable connections you might need as well? Mark, how do you like the FX324 and how much was the 'chip' for it? The local W-M guy talked me out of one, saying it would be slower and the chips might be harder to get in the future. He seemed to be pushing their Standard Horizon unit. Guess which one was in stock at the time? I went home confused, with nothing to write down on my Christmas wish list.
When you figure the price of each unit don't forget to check the prices of the 'chip' you will need. Looks like anything from $130-$250. Then how about whatever cable connections you might need as well? Mark, how do you like the FX324 and how much was the 'chip' for it? The local W-M guy talked me out of one, saying it would be slower and the chips might be harder to get in the future. He seemed to be pushing their Standard Horizon unit. Guess which one was in stock at the time? I went home confused, with nothing to write down on my Christmas wish list.
As you may have noticed, the technology has come a long way in last year or so. A few years ago, it was a matter of whether they worked at all. Now they all work well. Its the charting format that should be the determining factor in your choice. As mentioned earlier be prepared to spend another $200.00 for electronic charts. If you are on a budget, don't overlook B&W units. Available cheap on Ebay and other auction sites. Don't spend a lot of money. The technology is moving too fast. Jon
Lowrance
I use a Lowrance 335 5" color GPS/Fishfinder. It is great! very bright screen, easy to see in the daylight. It has a speed transducer that gives you speed thru the water and the gps gives you speed over ground. depthsounder, configurable display, It uses navionics charts, or you can use lowrance's mapcreate software to make custom charts of anywhere in the US. It's very nice. You can map bottom terrain, and the kids like to watch the fish go by. Shop around and you can find it for under 600.00.
I use a Lowrance 335 5" color GPS/Fishfinder. It is great! very bright screen, easy to see in the daylight. It has a speed transducer that gives you speed thru the water and the gps gives you speed over ground. depthsounder, configurable display, It uses navionics charts, or you can use lowrance's mapcreate software to make custom charts of anywhere in the US. It's very nice. You can map bottom terrain, and the kids like to watch the fish go by. Shop around and you can find it for under 600.00.
FX324
The chips are $149-$199 depending on the size chart that you want. While at west marine we called Magellan and they said that they will be using the chips for many years to come. I actually love mine REAL NICE SCREEN/LOTS OF DETAIL/LOTS OF INFO LIKE TIDES,MOON PHASE and so on. It comes with an external and internal antenna so it works real fast. I actually got mine for only $349.00 + $149.00 (chip)I am REAL impressed. Bad Points? The unit is vertually useless without the chip. The size of the unit is pretty large compared to the Garmin 176,but the size is large because the controll button area is large enough to use easyly.
The chips are $149-$199 depending on the size chart that you want. While at west marine we called Magellan and they said that they will be using the chips for many years to come. I actually love mine REAL NICE SCREEN/LOTS OF DETAIL/LOTS OF INFO LIKE TIDES,MOON PHASE and so on. It comes with an external and internal antenna so it works real fast. I actually got mine for only $349.00 + $149.00 (chip)I am REAL impressed. Bad Points? The unit is vertually useless without the chip. The size of the unit is pretty large compared to the Garmin 176,but the size is large because the controll button area is large enough to use easyly.
Lowrance 3300C
I have a 3300C, which has been more than satisfactory for inland use. Come March, i'll be able to comment on it's offshore durability.
I have a 3300C, which has been more than satisfactory for inland use. Come March, i'll be able to comment on it's offshore durability.
Bob, how will you be using this?
It's a shame that no one is thinking about these gadgets as 'tools' and asking you how and where you plan to use the boat, nor where you plan to install it, nor who is to use it (and therefore how important the user interface might be to a diverse crew). Instead, as with many other things with which we burden our boats, we zero in on price, how many esoteric functions & other second-order issues. I'd encourage you to reread Jon's comments. Which chart format DO you find most helpful, since it's the chart you end up using? How long will you be using this unit and/or keeping the boat? Where will you be sailing, and therefore how unique will your chart needs be (Bahamas later? Nova Scotia, perhaps)? And just what kind of flight planning and navigation needs will you *need* (vs. the gee-whiz functions that may reside in the unit and clutter up its operation)? Are you shopping for these with your crew, who might have their own opinions of the user interface if they know they'll be expected to use it? Will you mount it inside, outside, or want both options to be possible over time, as your use of the boat might change? Perhaps these real-world issues aren't of much concern to you, altho' they would be to me. Jack
It's a shame that no one is thinking about these gadgets as 'tools' and asking you how and where you plan to use the boat, nor where you plan to install it, nor who is to use it (and therefore how important the user interface might be to a diverse crew). Instead, as with many other things with which we burden our boats, we zero in on price, how many esoteric functions & other second-order issues. I'd encourage you to reread Jon's comments. Which chart format DO you find most helpful, since it's the chart you end up using? How long will you be using this unit and/or keeping the boat? Where will you be sailing, and therefore how unique will your chart needs be (Bahamas later? Nova Scotia, perhaps)? And just what kind of flight planning and navigation needs will you *need* (vs. the gee-whiz functions that may reside in the unit and clutter up its operation)? Are you shopping for these with your crew, who might have their own opinions of the user interface if they know they'll be expected to use it? Will you mount it inside, outside, or want both options to be possible over time, as your use of the boat might change? Perhaps these real-world issues aren't of much concern to you, altho' they would be to me. Jack
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