GPS Chartplotter Screen Size

[NautiDuck]

OK, I have been researching chartplotters and my head is so full of data I could explode. We will start cruising in the San Juans this summer and I would like to have a chartplotter along. Bear in mind that I also will have, and use, paper charts, no question about that.But, still, I would like a chartplotter mounted where I can see it (I have a wheel and pedestal). Now my boat is 25' so even though I would love a 10" screen it seems sort of overkill, and a lot of $. So, I look at units like the Garmin GPSMAP 276C that are portable and am intrigued with them. They take the latest Garmin cards, etc. But, can you really get benefit when the screen size is 3.8" diagonal? Or does it take a larger screen to really benefit from a chartplotter?What do you think? What is your experience?Thanks.

 

[novelman17128]

chartplotter

I have and use a 276c and have added the BlueChart g2 data card. Without the card is is of minimal use near shore and inside breakwaters. But, with the addition I love it. It now even shows oil islands, oil rigs, breakwarers and accurate shorelines. It should have a large enough screen for you but mount it on your pedestal using the swivel attachment to enable you and others to see and use it even when not directly behind the wheel. I bought two additional batteries so I could use it anywhere on the boat. And another great thing it does it automatically switch from white background with black letters to black background with white letters for the low light and dark hours. Try it you'll like it.Novelman

 

[PHitchcox]

Chartplotter envy

I have lived for ten years with a Garmin 185, an old reliable unit. It has to be manually updated, but let's not go there. It had a slightly larger, but black and white, screen.I've played with friends units, including ones with 10" screens, and they're wonderful. You can see far more detail, a larger area (obviously) and setting a course is therefore easier.But...the real key is the actual use. See how fast the new units scroll . The old 185 takes a good ten seconds to redraw, so scrolling around the bay looking for your next waypoint is a pain on a small screen. But the new units scroll fast enough that this is no longer a problem. If you can quickly scroll around, you'll find far less need for a larger screen.Which brings us to the final point - the smaller screen is cheaper, and, afterall, we're not moving all that fast. I think you'll find the smaller screen acceptable and you can spend the difference on something else for the boat. I think the 276C is a great choice.

 

[Dave Groshong]

garmin good

I really like the 176, 276 etc....They are actually the perfect size to fit in your sailing coat. You can take it out and peek anytime you need to (of course you can mount it too), the screen is just big enough and it travels easy to other boats or dinghy rides. I was a little bummed when they replaced the convenient AA batteries with a Li ion. You definately need the additional Blue Chart chip.

 

[Capt. Kermie]

The bigger the better

I have the Garmin GPSMAP 76cs handheld with color screen and 115mb memory and all bells & whistles. Only thing missing is a big 10" screen, get the biggest screen your money can buy, you won't regret it!

 

[seadaddler]

3.8" Sounds Small

Mine was the 7" and my new boat has 8" and was thinking of getting the 10" but I guess 8" is good.All I am saying is it's kind of small but others say it's OK.Go to west marine and look at some screens on display and compare for yourself if you go a little bigger you won't be sorry which ever brand you decide to buy but maybe you will if you go small.If you like the garmin look at some of their other models.

 

[LKYusnret]

MY 2 cents

I have a 178C Sounder Garmin and love it on my Hunter 260 and I'll take it along with me on my Corbin 39 for a circumnavigation. The screen and internal antenna work for me. My only negative comment is the expense of the software. I just spent over $1700 for the charts needed for American Great Loop trip and even with adjacent charts there are gaps between them and the TEN-Tom caseway-cannalisn't even covered. John USNret

 

[Grigs]

Garmin 492

The Garmin 492 has a 5 or 5.5 inch screen and is already loaded with Blue chart. I believe interior lakes and waterways has to be purchased. The 492 with the internal antena has to be uses in the outside areas. The 492 with the external antena hookup is in the same price range,but you have the add on expece of the antena.What the dealer told me when I spoke to him was that this would allow the unit to be located below at a nav. station. I have a 25 catalina therefore no such place below anyway. Found a store on the internet delivered to your door for $516.15

 

[ruedi ross]

Lowrance 335

i use a lowrance 335 DF on my 26' hunter 260. It uses navionics charts, and is also a dual frequency sonar. 5" screen. I have it mounted on a swingaway bracket so that I can see it from the cockpit or in 3 seconds I can swing it into the interior and button up the companionway hatch if the weather gets dicey. I like this setup alot for my size boat. When you are using the nav functions it is good and when you are close in you change over to sonar and have a good visual on the bottom and related features. It will give you a good idea of bottom conditions for anchoring, etc. You can display both at the same time, but I rarely do, it gets to crowded. You can also select what info to display and how large to display it on either the sonar or nav screens. In other words, you can display depth, speed or whatever on the nav screen and vice versa. Yeah, its not a 10" display, but it fits my boat and my budget.

 

[BarryL]

screen size

Hello,I have a Garmin Etrex Legend hand held and a Lowrance M68 C/S map with a 3.5" color screen (320 X 240 resolution). The 3.5" is big enough to be useful. You can easily zoom in to see detail, or zoom out to get the big picture. That said, I have bought a bigger boat and my next chartplotter will have a high resolution 5" screen.IMHO, the bigger the screen the easier to use. Regarding Garmin, I like their products, but, to me, they are over priced for what you get. Compared to Lowrance or Humminbird, Garmin costs more money and has lower resolution screens. If you like Garmin that's fine and I'm sure that the product works well. If you want an inexpensive unit with a bigger screen, a Standard Horizon CP150 costs about $400. A Humminbird 755C is a little more. An Eagle unit with 640 X 480 resolution 5" screen is less than $500.Either way, you can't go wrong.BarryBarry LenobleCurragh, 1986 O'day 35Mt. Sinai, NYlenoble@optonline.net

 

[Benny]

Go for a screen size that gives you

adequate chart details. You want to see contours, obstructions and depth readings. Good screen resolution will allow clarity on a smaller screen. A 3.8 diagonal screen should work ok as you will not be looking at map detail constantly. You will more likely be glancing at it every ten minutes or so. A larger screen may be more handy for entering waypoints and routes. A color screen will give better visibility in the sunlight. To large a unit may block your view forward depending where you install it. Don't break the bank for a large unit you can do nicely with a small one.

 

[mortyd]

charplotter size

should i buy a sabre 386 or a sunfish?

 

[Shippy]

Size and Color

I had a Garmin 176C on my old boat that I loved (Hunter 29.5). when I purchased my new to me Hunter 356 this past summer, the PO had installed a Raymarine 425 Chartplotter (5.5" display). I thought great. Well, it was monochrome which really made it difficulty to distinquish land and sea plus slow to redraw and not the most user friendly. Well, this winter I'm mounting the Garmin at the helm and probably will buy a larger garmin next year. The 425 will probably go on ebay.