New Chartplotter?

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Gregory S

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Guys, I need to update/upgrade my chart plotter. All I want is a chart I can follow, don't want or need anything with transducers. What do you suggest.
 
How much do you want to spend? I see no reason to go with anyone besides garmin these days, but that is just my opinion, every brand probably has proponents,

The 7 or 9 series will run you about a grand, seven to nine inch screen, plenty of features. Twelve inch screen will cost double that. https://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-942-Plus-Chartplotter-P6175.aspx

If you aren’t connecting to radar, depth, etc, another option is to go smaller, with an echomap, these are really meant as fish finder / plotter combos - 4 or 5 inch screen, with charts loaded for about $400. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/592804
 
Depends on how you use the boat. For local stuff if you don’t need radar indeed an iPad, lifeproof case and Aquamap is all you probably need.

My preference is Garmin, usually easy to use interface.... the few times I ve had to use raymarine systems I found them very unfriendly. Furuno Navnet is great but an overkill for most people. We have a simrad touch screen on the tender... I hate it.
 
Depends on how you use the boat. For local stuff if you don’t need radar indeed an iPad, lifeproof case and Aquamap is all you probably need.

My preference is Garmin, usually easy to use interface.... the few times I ve had to use raymarine systems I found them very unfriendly. Furuno Navnet is great but an overkill for most people. We have a simrad touch screen on the tender... I hate it.
 
Thanks guys. I don't need radar and an IPAD is difficult to see in sunlight on my bridge unless the Bimini top is up. I want to make some trips on the bay and intracoastal when I retire in May. My old chart plotter required a hard mounted external antenna. Do the new units still require that?
 
The 4.5” echomap I linked to above is self contained ( for gps). I put one of those on my ski boat last summer, it worked great. Nice little unit. But not sure if it’s appropriate for your installation, depends if you are looking to flush mount something, or screw/clip it onto the ‘dash pad’ - because there is no way to flush mount this little guy.

Can’t answer for sure on the larger units, but my understanding is that external gps antennas are no longer needed. But can be used if desired, for better/ faster signal, and might be needed, depending on where the receiver is mounted.
 
Thanks Alk, the 942 with a nine inch screen seems to be what I need. I believe you are correct regarding external antennas as I can't find any reference to them.
 
Standard Horizon makes great products, and has the best warranty (3 years) and very good customer service
 
Alk, thanks, great price! I'll really be stimulating the economy if I get you to buy one too.
HOGAN, Thanks, I'll check them out.
 
Hogan, when I search Standard Horizon, Simrad comes up. Are they the same company?
 
Odd!
Navico was created through the merger of Simrad Yachting and Lowrance Electronics by their common owners, Altor Equity Partners, a Swedish private equity firm.
Standard Horizon is owned by Yaesu USA. According to Vertex Standard President and Chief Executive Officer Jun Hasegawa, effective January1, 2012, Motorola will keep the Vertex Standard Land-Mobile Division, while the amateur, marine and air-band will be under the Yaesu Musen banner. The new company will be known as Yaesu USA here in the US.
 
I have, and really like, the Garmin 942 plotter. It's easily customized to add/remove details as desired for your specific boating needs. Built-in antenna. I like the larger screen as it's easier on old eyes. [G]
 
Looks like the Garmin 942 is the way to go. All found it for a great price too.
 
Before you order the 942, you may want to take a look at the 943. It’s the newer model, as the 942 is no longer being made.

Not sure if the new features are worth another 30% or so in cost, but should at least compare the two?
 
Looks like the Garmin 942 is the way to go. All found it for a great price too.
 
I looked at the 943 Alk. Hodges's Marine has the 942 for $874.00. I don't think the 943 offers enough for an additional 3 to 400$ for what I need.
 
That is a good price, but just looked at Hodges webpage, and that is the 942 xs, which is chart plotter with sonar. As opposed to the 942 plus w/o sonar, which is $1,086.

Garmin sure did drop a lot of different models onto the market. Not sure why the w/o sonar plus is a hundred more than the xs plus.
 
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