Looking at GPS/chartplotters. Thoughts, suggestion

Z

zeezer

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Joined
Sep 9, 2002
RO Number
10087
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20
I recently took a lightning hit near my boat. I believe this is why some of the electronics on the boat are messed up. Insurance deductable as much as the damage, so I'm not making a claim. I have a NAVMAN 5500 5 inch. Was looking at the Garmin gpsmap 541 or 546. Both the same unit except the 546 is $150 more for a higher resolution screen. The 541 is already better than the unit it is replacing. Which one to get? Or if you had different thoughts or suggestions. The unit is mounted in the dash so the rear is not exposed. It also needs to fit in the existing openong, so it needs to be square, not rectangular.
 
consider changing the dash to allow choosing any system you prefeer. A metal or plastic plate over the old hole is all you need.
 
I have had the 541 Garmin and now have the 546, which is definitely better than the 541, but still no great shakes. My next chart plotter will probably be a Standard Horizon.
 
quote:
Originally posted by jstokes

My next chart plotter will probably be a Standard Horizon.

Click to expand...


That surprises me. I was about to comment that once you get used to Garmin, it's hard to switch brands. IMO, Garmin has the best user interfaces, and they also offer good tech support (I use email), continual updates and improvements and easy to use and inexpensive PC plotting options.
 
quote:
Originally posted by SLW

quote:
Originally posted by jstokes

My next chart plotter will probably be a Standard Horizon.

Click to expand...


That surprises me. I was about to comment that once you get used to Garmin, it's hard to switch brands. IMO, Garmin has the best user interfaces, and they also offer good tech support (I use email), continual updates and improvements and easy to use and inexpensive PC plotting options.

Click to expand...


Agreed, IMO, Garmin is head and shoulders above everyone else in the industry as far as GPS/Chartplotters are concerned.

Tim
 
quote:
Originally posted by Tim Bromund

quote:
Originally posted by SLW

quote:
Originally posted by jstokes

My next chart plotter will probably be a Standard Horizon.

Click to expand...


That surprises me. I was about to comment that once you get used to Garmin, it's hard to switch brands. IMO, Garmin has the best user interfaces, and they also offer good tech support (I use email), continual updates and improvements and easy to use and inexpensive PC plotting options.

Click to expand...


Agreed, IMO, Garmin is head and shoulders above everyone else in the industry as far as GPS/Chartplotters are concerned.

Tim

Click to expand...


How's the CS at Garmin. SH is superb.
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

quote:
Originally posted by Tim Bromund

quote:
Originally posted by SLW

quote:
Originally posted by jstokes

My next chart plotter will probably be a Standard Horizon.

Click to expand...


That surprises me. I was about to comment that once you get used to Garmin, it's hard to switch brands. IMO, Garmin has the best user interfaces, and they also offer good tech support (I use email), continual updates and improvements and easy to use and inexpensive PC plotting options.

Click to expand...


Agreed, IMO, Garmin is head and shoulders above everyone else in the industry as far as GPS/Chartplotters are concerned.

Tim

Click to expand...


How's the CS at Garmin. SH is superb.

Click to expand...


David,

Honestly, I've never needed it so I can't say first hand, but I've never heard anything but positive to glowing reports about Garmin's Customer Service.

Tim
 
Aren't there inexpensive plotting aps for Ipads? I seem to recall seeing one. It would be interesting to hear what people think of those as well.
 
Dan, iPads are useless outside.

I've had to call Garmin support a few times over the years. They're good. Busy sometimes, but they know what they're doing and talking about.
 
+1 I have been on hold a couple of times for awhile but serviceknowledge was excelent

Niles
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

consider changing the dash to allow choosing any system you prefeer. A metal or plastic plate over the old hole is all you need.

Click to expand...


If you want the console to look better you can even use a teak plate. Or use Iroko, a poor mans teak substitute.

George
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

Aren't there inexpensive plotting aps for Ipads? I seem to recall seeing one. It would be interesting to hear what people think of those as well.

Click to expand...


IPADS do not like it to be splashed with water.

George
 
If you have any plans to connect a Garmin to a transducer for depth check for compatability. I have a 536s that can only use the $200+ thru hull transducer not the $80 one that other models can use. I might have purchased a different model if I had known this first.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CaptCrunch

i've always been happy with raymarine.

Click to expand...


=======================================

Nothing but problems with my Ray system

C series plotter/bottom machine

radar

auto pilot

Radar repaired under warranty

Autopilot fluxgate compass replaced once under warranty, then once out of my pocket

the connecting tabs on the back of the plotter are bad, but just not worth fixing.

Now, the latest failure is for some reason (I have not troubleshooted it yet) the auto pilot has stopped talking to the chart plotter.

They're probebly pissed off at each other for being from the same company !

No, no Ray product again, EVER!

RWS
 
I know a lot of guys say their c/s sucks but I've had nothing but great help the 3 times I called, Lowrance, have a HDS 10 hd 2400 radar and a gm 5200 with a 3000 gps annt. and 250 vhf radio .all of it works fine. and it all talks....
 
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