Garmin 172c/182c chartplotter
Richard: I have used the Garmin 182C chartplotter last summer on the coast of Maine and loved it! One source that may get the cost down near to the 172c is Defender in Conn (excellent service and no sales tax). My experience: the brightness is excellent even in the sun and the color model (c) is the only way to go to see charts as clearly as the best paper versions. The larger screen (5.5 vs. 172 4.4") helps. I have mine mounted in the cockpit adjacent to the companionway door and can see it clearly from the helm (O'Day 28). This position makes it easy to monitor track while keeping one's eyes forward. The features just go on and on. It just does everything and is very customizable. One little example-I display battery voltage as one of four optional display windows at the top of the screen as a way to monitor battery charge while sailing and verify that the alternator is working while running the diesel. And I can zoom down to a display of only 80'. I know our local ledges well and have found excellent correlation between actual boat position and displayed position for our portion of Maine. I'm sold! Hope this helps -Ron
