I am looking to get a GPS Chart Plotter. I am an old DR guy but a recent experience at night in new waters has convinced me I need to get a GPS. Nothing happened but something could have. My eyesight at night is not like it used to be and well I think I have gotten a little rusty in using my old DR because I am so familar with the waters I sail. Since I seem to be venturing further I think I better upgrade. I have all Raymarine electornic equipment Autopilot, wind,speed and depth. Everything is on seatalk. What do people recommend? I would like to keep my budget under $1,000.00 to keep it under the radar. I think I can easly get approval for a new toy in that range any higher and then the boss will take it out of me in dinners or trips or something. Also I need to be able to see the display easy and I want to mount it on my helm. I have a Hunter 356 2002. Ease of use is important but reliability is tops.
GPS with Chart Plotter
- Thread starter theladyboat
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The fam got me a Garmin 178C three years ago...
for my birthday. To finish out its operation I purchased a 32meg data card, data card reader and a second region of charts from e-bay. The two regions include 250 charts that cover most all PNW waters to the north end of Vancouver Island. They discontinued the 178C and now have their 400 series models, which are similar. I became a much happier sailor with this neat gizmo. It makes cruising a much more pleasant and safer experience. I still carry paper charts, but seldom use them; just for backup purposes. You can find some good deals through e-bay; I know I have. Installed everything myself with minimal tools. It was pretty easy to connect the 178C to our Autohelm 6000 (now Raymarine) head. Our boat came with a 7000 course computer, which follows the GPS instructions dead on. The only gripe that I have is a minor version conflict. Our 1991 Autohelm operates on NMEA version 1.X while the newer 2004 Garmin operates on NMEA version 3.X. Upon approaching a waypoint course change the system gives the alert, but when I acknowledge the system makes a one half mile arch to reach the new course. So, to speed things up all I do is make the course change manually. Again no big deal, otherwise the system is dead on and the chart detail is fantastic. The night before we set sail I program our route into the GPS at the nav station, then I track the route off line to make sure we've cleared all obstructions. During cruising I keep the GPS at the helm where everything is at my fingertips. Chart info, tide tables, marine services, etc. The GPS sounder feature even tells me the depth, water temp, fish and type of bottom. Our Garmin system is very reliable and available within your budget; just shop around. Get the color and sounder version, it is worth the extra money. Our model came with an external antenna; internal versions are also available. Terry
for my birthday. To finish out its operation I purchased a 32meg data card, data card reader and a second region of charts from e-bay. The two regions include 250 charts that cover most all PNW waters to the north end of Vancouver Island. They discontinued the 178C and now have their 400 series models, which are similar. I became a much happier sailor with this neat gizmo. It makes cruising a much more pleasant and safer experience. I still carry paper charts, but seldom use them; just for backup purposes. You can find some good deals through e-bay; I know I have. Installed everything myself with minimal tools. It was pretty easy to connect the 178C to our Autohelm 6000 (now Raymarine) head. Our boat came with a 7000 course computer, which follows the GPS instructions dead on. The only gripe that I have is a minor version conflict. Our 1991 Autohelm operates on NMEA version 1.X while the newer 2004 Garmin operates on NMEA version 3.X. Upon approaching a waypoint course change the system gives the alert, but when I acknowledge the system makes a one half mile arch to reach the new course. So, to speed things up all I do is make the course change manually. Again no big deal, otherwise the system is dead on and the chart detail is fantastic. The night before we set sail I program our route into the GPS at the nav station, then I track the route off line to make sure we've cleared all obstructions. During cruising I keep the GPS at the helm where everything is at my fingertips. Chart info, tide tables, marine services, etc. The GPS sounder feature even tells me the depth, water temp, fish and type of bottom. Our Garmin system is very reliable and available within your budget; just shop around. Get the color and sounder version, it is worth the extra money. Our model came with an external antenna; internal versions are also available. Terry
Tell the Boss...
Tell her that this new system will ensure her safety and prevent any mishaps at sea from the inevitable decline of one's eyesight. You'd much rather spend the money on a new spinnaker, but her future is paramount.
Tell her that this new system will ensure her safety and prevent any mishaps at sea from the inevitable decline of one's eyesight. You'd much rather spend the money on a new spinnaker, but her future is paramount.
Consider the new small Raymarine chart plotter
I have an complete setup of Raymarine components and it's amazing what you get when they all talk to each other. The sea-talk connections are just plug-in connections. You should at least check it out before mixing brands.
I have an complete setup of Raymarine components and it's amazing what you get when they all talk to each other. The sea-talk connections are just plug-in connections. You should at least check it out before mixing brands.
Try the Garmin 192C
Bought a Garmin 192C with the internal antenna.This model has every chart in the entire USA loaded, hence it costs a little more Bought the Bahamas chip and then went to Bimini. was happily sailing along and checked the chartplotter, I was sailing directly toward a reef that couldnt be seen ! I love it and it keeps me out of trouble.
Bought a Garmin 192C with the internal antenna.This model has every chart in the entire USA loaded, hence it costs a little more Bought the Bahamas chip and then went to Bimini. was happily sailing along and checked the chartplotter, I was sailing directly toward a reef that couldnt be seen ! I love it and it keeps me out of trouble.
we have the Garmin 192c
it was our Xmas present to ourselves. We took a 15 trip to The Dry Tortugas/Ft. Jefferson and the Keys in May. Ours is wired to our ST4000+ authelm. It was like having another right arm. What a great addition to our boat.
it was our Xmas present to ourselves. We took a 15 trip to The Dry Tortugas/Ft. Jefferson and the Keys in May. Ours is wired to our ST4000+ authelm. It was like having another right arm. What a great addition to our boat.
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