Opinion on Hummingbird 755c Chartplotter

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Dec 5, 2007
18
- - Deale MD
I am looking for a Chartplotter to replace my Garmin 176c which I love but it is very difficult to see in direct sunlight even under the bimini. I was thinking in something like the Lowrance 5300c, the Garmin 276c or 376c that are around the $400. Now I came across the Hummingbird 755c which has a 5" display that says is sunlight readable, uses navionics charts and its on sale for about $190. Somebody has any experience with this units? Thanks
 

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,509
Catalina 27 . St. Mary's Georgia
I just purchase the 785c2i, I can say the screen is very bright in direct sun and the Navionics charts are very detailed.

Sorry I do not have any information about the 755c directly.

Edit to add: If you do get this Humminbird, do not be a total knob like I was. I powered it up in the Normal mode and expected to get a read out immediately. It takes the unit 40 minutes on the first start up to collect the data it needs to work.
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
If you look at the 785 c the resolution is much higher. I don't know if that is something that matters to you.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,961
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Humminbird 755c2i Out of Stock, but ...

All, as a follow up to the thread of last week I searched and ordered one from MarineNutz, but after a few days they refunded my money as the unit was unavailable. Today though, I got an updated offer from them to buy a 755C2 model that appears to be identical, but without the Hotmaps Gold chip.

So, my question is do I really need or want to Gold chip? It looks like most of the maps are the same resolution with just some more bells and whistles like buoy shapes and shading of shallow areas. Opinions?
 

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,509
Catalina 27 . St. Mary's Georgia
I would try to get the Navionics Gold package. I can look at both or all with my 785c2i. The depth detail, ie how many places they show depth is much much better on the gold. You also have shipwrech information, hazardous shoals, marina information and the shoreline detail is much finer. If you get it on SD cards, you must buy a piece of the U.S. at a time. My version with it preloaded is all of the Continental U.S. and Bahamas. It is not on a chip but it is in the software that is loaded on the chartplotter on my unit.

I would try to find a deal with it included.
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
The NVB gold package is not available with that low of a price anymore that I could find. I am looking at buying the navionics siver that has all the US coasts and bahamas on it.
I also recommend getting the NVB package if you can find it.

I think the 755 monitor is a lower resolution screen than the 785. Check the specs. I just got my 785 c in today. I couldn't find the NVB package on the 785 at all. I am not sure how much the resolution counts for because I have 0 experience with any plotter. I have just been reading the specs and trying to make a purchase based on that.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,961
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Hermit, Did you get the 785c2i or a 785c2. I have been unable to get a 785c2i as it appears they are gone. There are 785c2's out there, but they do not have the Navionics Gold, and it is unclear on whether they have internal (that I want) or external (that I don't want) GPS's. Can you post an update on what came in your box with all the gory details?
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
I wanted the 785c2i, but when I ordered the store screwed up and didn't place my order till the next day. The warehouse shipped all the 785c2i before they could put my order in.
I ended up with the 785c2 ($220). It does not have the navionics bundle with it. It is external antena which comes with it. Also I have to run the power cord anyway, so running a gps antena cable will follow the same path down. That is fine, when I upgrade in a couple of years I can move this to the cabin and not have any problems with reception.
I haven't used it yet, but the maps that come with it may be enough for me. When I use it in a couple of weeks I will know. I am considering buying the silver maps which cover all US coasts and the bahamas, but I will wait until I need it. ($130)
One thing I wish this thing had is a glass screen. I bet the plastic scratches so easily. I will try a screen cover, hopefully they don't degrade the view. Also it didn't come with a plastic full cover when not in use. ($20 including shipping on ebay)

If the depth contours and depth readings are the same in the maps that came with it and the gold maps I will never upgrade. That is all I really care about as far as the charts go. I don't need any hot fishing spots, inland lakes, or phone numbers to differnt ports. Maybe the graphics look better, I am not sure. Recess has both maps maybe he can tell us?
 

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,509
Catalina 27 . St. Mary's Georgia
As far as the depth contours and depth readings go, the gold has more detailed contours and shorline detail. The depth readings are closer together and has 3 to 4 as many depth numbers on the same screen. Also helpful when navigating the gold shows where dangerous shoals are located and shallow objects. The HotMaps will still get you where you are going safely.
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
The hot maps are the fishing maps. Can you select between the gold maos and the unimap? The unimap is the one mione came with.
 

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,509
Catalina 27 . St. Mary's Georgia
Can't help with the Unimap. My selections on map selection is (Gold+ - HotMaps - All).
 
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
The hot maps are the fishing maps. Can you select between the gold maos and the unimap? The unimap is the one mione came with.
Most GPS units that can be loaded with maps will have a map selection page so you can choose which map set is displayed.
 
Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
All, as a follow up to the thread of last week I searched and ordered one from MarineNutz, but after a few days they refunded my money as the unit was unavailable. Today though, I got an updated offer from them to buy a 755C2 model that appears to be identical, but without the Hotmaps Gold chip.

So, my question is do I really need or want to Gold chip? It looks like most of the maps are the same resolution with just some more bells and whistles like buoy shapes and shading of shallow areas. Opinions?
rpwillia, how's your experience with Marinenutz ? Do you find them reliable ? I'm thinking of making my 1st ordering with them. I'm base in Asia.
 
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