Chart plotters

willy · #1 10-30-2005, 08:35 PM

Getting ready to update Old Schools electronics with a new GPS. Don't need or want a fishfinder I have that seperate. Prefer one large screen dedicated to each function.
Been looking on EBAY, can you guys give me your take on the units out there, new Lowrance Garmin Standard Horizon Eagle Navman etc. I'm going to go color for my aging eyes and don't know the big difference between each and especially the maps and software they use Thanks

#2 10-30-2005, 09:05 PM

I will give this a shot. here is my humble opinion

Garmin, has the easiest menus, have good to fair screen resolutin, they have propietary charting software (bluechart) price wise their software is the cheapest. The also offer a model that includes chart software for the entire U.S. the 192C and 198c I believe

Lowrance has the best by far screen resolution in the mid-size units, 480x480 the 337 is a very nice machine. they also have the most detailed base map, (built in chart) if you don't want to spring for the chart chip. the Navionics chip for lowrance is 199.99 at west marine compared to 140.00 or so for garmin. *The 337 is a high resolution mid size chart plotter that compares in price to their competitions chart plotters but also includes a fish finder that you dont have to hook up, but it is there for the future if you need it. *The menus in the lowrance are a little less user friendly than the garmin but it is not noticible if you have never used a chart plotter and have no pre-learned *habits

Raymarine is probably the cadilac of the machins, the c70, c80 and c120 are great machines with the most versitle opotions, if you only want chart plotter all you will need to buy extra is the Raystar GPS reciever. these units have the most potentioal for expansion but are by far the most expensive, if you never plan to expand, I would not consider them just based on price.

navman has yet to prove itself and their sales reflect that

Horizon Standard make the very best VHF radios that can be purchased, I would never consider another brand, BUT their chart plotters are miserable to use, very awkward menus

Furuno is about the same, they are still running on 5 yr old (approx) software and have miserable menus to try to get around in, crappy screen resolution and are just no fun

I also would not consider buying one on Ebay, I love Ebay and by a lot on there but this is a high dollar purchase and you will want someone close by to provide customer service if you need it. Best way to get one IMHO is to shop the internet, find the very very very best price possible(excluding ebay) on the unit you want print the web page, take it to west marine and they will price match it, then you have the best of both worlds, internet pricing and west marines unconditional satisfation policy Good Luck

willy · #3 10-30-2005, 09:16 PM

Thanks Mirage appreciate the info, your thinking is Lowrance is the way to go all things considered huh?

willy · #4 10-30-2005, 09:17 PM

And when you say base maps in the Lowrance, how much detail would be in something like that?

#5 10-30-2005, 10:08 PM

Lowrance has major nav aids put into it and they take a little more care when mapping land masses, but there in no bottom comture data please don't buy based on my humble opnion, I have spent many hours working part time as west marine and hours playing with these units, I have seen and used most of them on one kind of boat or another. but, everyone has there personal preferences, go to west or boaters world and spend some time playing and looking, *the folks at either one should have lots of answers and should be happy to let you play for hours on any unit the have.

macojoe · #6 10-30-2005, 10:31 PM

I also like seprate units, I have a Garmin 160 fish finder, and I have the Garmin 162, and love it!! Wouldn't be caught in the fog with out it!! :o

But I know there are all kinds of new stuff out there that is better now a days!!

This is my 2nd Garmin and I would not buy anything else. But this is my opion.

Mac_Attack · #7 10-30-2005, 10:32 PM

Willy my opinion is the Lowrance 337 it is both Gps and dual frequency fish finder. *It has the best resolution. *You can even download a demo version to play with it and learn the controls. *Like mirage said go to West Marine and play with the real thing. *Just My Opinion! *Bill Mc ;D

willy · #8 10-30-2005, 10:53 PM

Thanks guys appreciate the time, good advise and I will go somewhere and check them out. ;)

chumbucket · #9 10-31-2005, 12:31 AM

mirage...................excellent summation! I agree 100% 8)

Franco · #10 10-31-2005, 01:09 AM

I have the Navman 5500 - it uses the c-map chip - very detailed and large coverage - refresh rate is excellent - includes tides and moon phase, local info - very easy to use - the thing that swund me was the fuel usage info - plus it had a monster rebate ($150) so I got for around $320 bucks out the door. Used it a bunch this weekend and really liked it, I was putting some hours on the new motor and started marking waypoints. It has 8 or 9 screens you can set up to suit your needs. It has depths just like a paper chart.