Chartplotter Advice

D

Dani-Lu

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My Northstar 952X was stolen from my boat at the Anchorage a few weeks ago. Aside from being upset, my immediate reaction is to purchase a new 952, since I enjoyed using it and have heard good things about Northstar's Chartplotter product. Before I purchase a new device, I was wondering if you all had any advice? For examplem, buy a used one? Or maybe go with a totally different brand Chartplotter? Please note I already have a Raymarine radar, and color fishfinder.

Thanks,

Jeff
 
I have 2 951's on my boat(mono version of the 952) and i just use them as back up to the Garmin Map source setup on the laptop
I feel the garmin has better charting with more detail which can also be gotten with their reg units like a 3010 etc...
 
I have the Raymarine radar with a GPS chart plotter. But I love my Garmin 3006 for the detail charts. The 3010 is the same but larger screen. Nice combo. I also like to plan my trips and upload my mapsource routes. Very user friendly.
 
That really sucks!!![B)]

The Northstar line is great. Pretty much bullet proof.

I also have Garmin 2010c and like the Garmin much better. I will be pulling my 941 B & W unit out and replacing it with a small Garmin color 2006c.

Did you 952 have good charts? The 941 chart data was nothing like the Garmin. I'e also use Raymarine chatplotters and would still go with the Garmin.

Jonathan
 
I went from a Northstar 951 on my previous boat to a Garmin 2010C and like the Garmin better. As mentioned above, the charting on the Garmin is much nicer and there are also more options as far as how you can lay out the screens. I bought a second Garmin 2006C for my cockpit while fishing.
 
JEff.. I loved my northstar..... ( sold the boat)

Everyone that has a garmin swears by it ....

Rob
 
I currrently have a Northstar 952 and have been using it for the past 5 years. Extremely reliable and accurate.
I have owned a few Garmins and have found them to be much easier to program and they also provide more optional information. To me, most of that additional information is not needed/used.

I recently spoke to an electronics installer and his opinion was that Northstar GPS are the top of the line, and Garmin...etc add alot of bells and whistles to attract customers while not really improving their effectiveness. I will stick with my Northstar for now!
 
Personally I will never buy another chip based system. The chips become obsolete quickly and your system does too. CD or web download is it for me.
 
I had a Northstar 951 on the boat when I bought it.....last spring I upgraded to a 952 for the color feature. I've used Raytheon/Raymarine on all my previous boats. I find the 952 a little more user friendly.
 
Kelly,
When i went to purchase my new boat last year my choices where Northstar and Raymarine. I Loved my northstar 952 on my 30 dancer.
I had an RL 80 on my 34 dancerand hated it. I actually purchased that small garmin land and sea thing as a back up. So natuarlly ordered the 44 with the north star stuff equipment. I was happy to finally have VHF that will work when wet ( canvas leaked on 34 disabling the radio ) apparently its only water resistant.. WTF ,,

But any way my salesman told me to speak to an electronics guy before he puts the order in .... as he heard some complaints on the new northstars... so i called a few local dealers ( 2 ) and they both said for now avoid the northstar... so sadly i changed my order. The raymarine was actaully cheaper.... andas ive learned the North star radar is not up to par ... So for once i lucked out ..

Im happy withthe raymarine... still like my 952 better

But still got radio issues... ITs just my luck.....

Rob
 
Rob,
I was informed of exactly the same thing with regards to Northstar radar. The technician mentioned to me that the Northstar radar was not up to the task and recommended others including Furuno. I agree with you about the 952, good luck.
 
I appreciate the many responses. Sounds like you can't go wrong with the 952, but I will definitely consider changing to the Garmin, based on the many positive Garmin responses.
 
Gentlemen,

I have started checking out the Garmin GPS units on line. There is a 2000 and 3000 series model. Not sure what the difference is. Also, any recommendations on where to purchase the unit and does it generally come with the antenna? Any other install suggestions are welcome. By the way, they also stole my antenna. Lastly, I had DGPS with the Northstar. Does WAAS replace DGPS, or do I need to get a unit with DGPS to get the best accuracy.

Sorry for all the questions, but if you are going through boat withdrawl like me, with no snow to ski in the east, I am hoping you are all looking to kill as much time as possible to hurry through this dismal winter.

Jeff
 
Jeff
My 951’s are DGPS and my garmin is WAAS – the garmin unit as a whole is better and appears to be more accurate – so based on that the WAAS is better

You should give Les a call and see what kind of pricing he can get for you, I bought my Garmin PC software and a WAAS antenna from Boatfix and the price was very good
 
I believe only the 3000 series units are available now. I think the 2000 series are discontinued. The main difference between the units are most of the 3000 series units are network capable, meaning you can buy Garmin networking modules and see radar/depth/gps and satellite weather information on one display and even overlay several together or on split screen. They also support Garmin's new 3d blue chart cartography.
 
They are still stealing electronics? Where you sitting at the anchorage?
I hate this. We pay for security that does nothing. I say dump the guard, get some cameras and a controlled gate.
 
I realized that I posted before that I have the 3006, I meant the 2006. The 3000 series has more features as Rich mentioned, the 2006 GPS works fine for my needs along with my Raymarine Radar/GPS. Although the 2000 may be discontinued you still may be able to pick one up with a big savings. There are a few installers in the area that will install the complete unit / antenna with a discount. The mark up on labor was well worth it. I like turnkey service.
 
The Garmins come with the antenna. Since you don't need the DGPS you don't need the separate antenna for that. The installation is a little more complicated than it was on my old Northstar though (not sure if the new ones are the same). With the Garmins you need to connect and solder various wires between the power source, the antenna, and the unit, as well as the depthsounder module if you have that. You can't just plug in the connections.

You might want to check with Consumers marine to see if they will still give the boat show price if you're ready to buy, otherwise during the AC show they should have very good prices also.
 
Dave,
They hop the fence from the school yard.....

The thing with camera's is they only view them after the fact.... i think both are required. Cameras and a guard. but the guard has to have access to the camera's.

Our marina got rid of the guard... we only have camera's .... Id like a person roaming the property.....

Rob
 
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