Best Chartplotters
- Thread starter maz2855
- Start date
A lot depends on where you boat. I have tried all different brands and systems (with the exception of Raymarine--and I have been aboard a number of boats with that brand.
With Garmin you are stuck with Garmin's charts. With Lowrance, you have the hard drive Nautipath charts--which are NOAA charts, or a chip with NOAA charts--this is the cheapest way--and is good. Lowrance also allows the use of Navonics chart chips--and I believe the newest units allow the Platanium series. There are a number of units which use c map--including Furuno and Standard. The C map has a MAX and MAX Pro, which give photos and 3D renderings of marinas (so does the Navionics Platinum). I would start by reviewing all of the various charting systems--and make a decision on what charting system you want. For example if you do the Bahamas, I would recommend C map, because they are using the Explorer maps, which are much better than NOAA base, but I believe that other maping groups are also using private chart bases.
Look at the night screen. You want to dim as well as have a true night mode (the night mode will have colors in blues and reds, and be very dim)--you can put gels or plastic over the screen to dim it further.
Also decide if you want an integrated Depth finder (fishfinder) and radar. Do you want overlay of the Radar? Do you want weather overlay? Do you want AIS overlay? How much space?
I Personally prefer separate screens, and would rather have 3 7" screens than one 10" screen. That way I can have two chart plotters (one with a fish finder plus large scale chart) plus a separate radar.
All units are good quality and will work well. The hard drive units make sense if you travel a lot and you want to use them for planning. I don't like PC based systems for boats less than 30 feet--but if you have a trawler or larger boat, then I would consider the PC based systems.
Good luck
With Garmin you are stuck with Garmin's charts. With Lowrance, you have the hard drive Nautipath charts--which are NOAA charts, or a chip with NOAA charts--this is the cheapest way--and is good. Lowrance also allows the use of Navonics chart chips--and I believe the newest units allow the Platanium series. There are a number of units which use c map--including Furuno and Standard. The C map has a MAX and MAX Pro, which give photos and 3D renderings of marinas (so does the Navionics Platinum). I would start by reviewing all of the various charting systems--and make a decision on what charting system you want. For example if you do the Bahamas, I would recommend C map, because they are using the Explorer maps, which are much better than NOAA base, but I believe that other maping groups are also using private chart bases.
Look at the night screen. You want to dim as well as have a true night mode (the night mode will have colors in blues and reds, and be very dim)--you can put gels or plastic over the screen to dim it further.
Also decide if you want an integrated Depth finder (fishfinder) and radar. Do you want overlay of the Radar? Do you want weather overlay? Do you want AIS overlay? How much space?
I Personally prefer separate screens, and would rather have 3 7" screens than one 10" screen. That way I can have two chart plotters (one with a fish finder plus large scale chart) plus a separate radar.
All units are good quality and will work well. The hard drive units make sense if you travel a lot and you want to use them for planning. I don't like PC based systems for boats less than 30 feet--but if you have a trawler or larger boat, then I would consider the PC based systems.
Good luck
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I am a fan of Garmin units. I have looked at a number of brands (Raymarine, Garmin, Lowrance, Northstar, etc) and keep coming back to Garmin as my favorite. Plus, they have the best bang for the buck, IMO. I also prefer a single screen, in part because that is what fits my boat best. If I had a different layout the the $, I might consider multiple large screens.
Garmin is generally regarded as having the best, easiest to use chart plotting GPS devices. They are easy to understand and use. They do use Garmin-proprietary BlueChart or BlueChart g2 charts, but I like them. As far as getting "stuck" with them, amny brands of plotters only support one 3rd party brand anyway so you like it or you don't.
Garmin's strength is chart plotting, and also provides good sonar and radar, and very nice XM Weather. If your priorities are fishing or radar, there are other brands which are better than Garmin. Garmin's larger "networked" units will let you overlay radar on the map and split the screen into two views (or more depending on the model) so you can have multiple views up. I use this all the time when fishing.
Before deciding on a unit, I would strongly suggest looking at the new networked units Garmon is introducing in the spring. They have a totally new interface and many new very interesting features such as satellite imaging overlay and an uderwater "fish eye view". I was these units at the NY boat show and they looked OUTSTANDING. Very clear, bright screens (as good as or better than Raymarine E-series); crisp images; intuitive to use; great detail. And they are priced very well - roughly the same SRP as their current units - which is lower than the competition - with a better feature set than the competition. Garmin has really stepped up their game. Sizes are an 8" and 12" screen.
I probably sound like some raving Garmin nut (or employee), but I just think they have a really good product.
Garmin is generally regarded as having the best, easiest to use chart plotting GPS devices. They are easy to understand and use. They do use Garmin-proprietary BlueChart or BlueChart g2 charts, but I like them. As far as getting "stuck" with them, amny brands of plotters only support one 3rd party brand anyway so you like it or you don't.
Garmin's strength is chart plotting, and also provides good sonar and radar, and very nice XM Weather. If your priorities are fishing or radar, there are other brands which are better than Garmin. Garmin's larger "networked" units will let you overlay radar on the map and split the screen into two views (or more depending on the model) so you can have multiple views up. I use this all the time when fishing.
Before deciding on a unit, I would strongly suggest looking at the new networked units Garmon is introducing in the spring. They have a totally new interface and many new very interesting features such as satellite imaging overlay and an uderwater "fish eye view". I was these units at the NY boat show and they looked OUTSTANDING. Very clear, bright screens (as good as or better than Raymarine E-series); crisp images; intuitive to use; great detail. And they are priced very well - roughly the same SRP as their current units - which is lower than the competition - with a better feature set than the competition. Garmin has really stepped up their game. Sizes are an 8" and 12" screen.
I probably sound like some raving Garmin nut (or employee), but I just think they have a really good product.
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Another vote for Garmin. THe new line they have coming out looks great. I also like the bluecharts.
Northstar used to be the best......not sure any more.
Jonathan
Northstar used to be the best......not sure any more.
Jonathan
I have and use Garmin. I am using 2 of the 3210 Chartplotters with the XM weather reciever, Garmin 4kw radar and Sonar unit, everything is networked. I find the charts to be accurate. The units are easy to view and operate. I also have the GPS integrated to my VHF radio.
I can also monitor 2 cameras one aft on the cockpit and another in the engine room. Its a good package for me.
I can also monitor 2 cameras one aft on the cockpit and another in the engine room. Its a good package for me.
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I lean to Raymarine after many yrs. of good service and I haven't had any real problems. We were ready to put an E120 and anE80 in our new boat, but are holding off to see the new F and G series to be shown in Miami. Larger screens with 4 or more splits. They are supposed to be on the ?back table at Raymarine. To be introduced 2nd qtr. 07.
Others have suggested Garmin, and I think that is also a good choice. We also run full charting off Nobeltec, and run one of our Rays. from that.
Others have suggested Garmin, and I think that is also a good choice. We also run full charting off Nobeltec, and run one of our Rays. from that.
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I have the Garmin 2206 which works great if you don't need networking. I installed it about 2 months ago and use it 2 or 3 times a week. I love it. It has the blue chart maps pre-installed, which is a huge bonus.
Ironically, I'll be listing this for sale soon. They retail from $1,350 to $1,600 online. My radar and autopilot both died within weeks of each other and I plan to upgrade to a networked system as I replace these components.
I'll be sticking with the Garmin product line.
Ironically, I'll be listing this for sale soon. They retail from $1,350 to $1,600 online. My radar and autopilot both died within weeks of each other and I plan to upgrade to a networked system as I replace these components.
I'll be sticking with the Garmin product line.
I like Standard. If memory serves my correctly, Powerboat Reports recently had RayMarine edging out Furono particularly in the ease of use. Garmin makes a good product, but I've been told their radar isn't up to Ray or Furono's standard.
You should take your intended use into consideration when choosing a plotter (or any other electronics). Garmin, Lowrance, and others make fine plotters, and the Garmin's are usually the easiest to use. If your boating plans are near shore, and you aren't likely to keep your boat more than 5 years, go with the one that tickles your fancy.
If you plan on voyaging offshore, where your life depends on your gear, and/or keeping you boat for a long time, stick with Furuno. Furuno's electronics are commercial grade, and priced accordingly. They're the best, hands down, but most boaters would be wasting their money buying quality they don't need. Be sensible, spend as much as your situation warrants, no more.
If you plan on voyaging offshore, where your life depends on your gear, and/or keeping you boat for a long time, stick with Furuno. Furuno's electronics are commercial grade, and priced accordingly. They're the best, hands down, but most boaters would be wasting their money buying quality they don't need. Be sensible, spend as much as your situation warrants, no more.
Best is going to be a personl preferrence. Like others have said, play with some and see if they are easy for you to use, and have the functions you are looking for.
With that said, I love my Raymarine C series, and will upgrade to an E series as soon as I can. I personally like multifunction displays, and with the Raymarine's you can network them so they can become redundant, or show different sets of information on each display. Also look for a company that provide regular updates for their displays. This allows you to get new features without having to replace the display.
With that said, I love my Raymarine C series, and will upgrade to an E series as soon as I can. I personally like multifunction displays, and with the Raymarine's you can network them so they can become redundant, or show different sets of information on each display. Also look for a company that provide regular updates for their displays. This allows you to get new features without having to replace the display.
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I've only used two. A Garmin and Standard Horizon. Garmin gets the edge, in terms of chart interpetation, speed, and user friendliness.
I'll soon be doing some practical use out of my laptop/google earth. It'll be hooked up to my Lowrance chartplotter but virtually simple basic GPS will work to establish your position. Garmin has an antenna(boatfix has it for ~$100) that is a favorite. Then you can get programs loaded into your computer. If you have the money, there are marine grade laptops(toughbook?) that are supposed to sunlight viewable. A computer is much more powerful than a chartplotter with much more capacity.
For the most part, all the charts that are on chartplotters are renderings from NOAA or other sources. Google earth has actual statellite and ariel pictures and, for the most part, only 2-4 years old which are better than many NOAA paper charts.
For the most part, all the charts that are on chartplotters are renderings from NOAA or other sources. Google earth has actual statellite and ariel pictures and, for the most part, only 2-4 years old which are better than many NOAA paper charts.
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One important item not mentioned in purchasing any electronics is service after the sale. You may want to get some comments from others as to what type of service they received when their electronics needed warranty or out of warranty service and the costs.
Jonathangolds
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Is that Sag Harbor?