Which GPS chart plotter do you like?

Joe CD MS 300 · Post by **Joe CD MS 300** » Sep 6th, '06, 17:06

How would you go about transferring waypoints from one make GPS to another? A few years back I imported my Garmin waypoints into a MapTech chart reader. I would think they in turn could be uploaded from the MapTech program to another make GPS, a Raymarine unit for example. Has anyone done this? I might have about 500+ waypoints. I'm not about to manually re-enter them into another make.

The ease of transferring routes and waypoints between different units is another reason I have stayed with Garmin products.

mahalocd36 · Post by **mahalocd36** » Sep 6th, '06, 17:11

FWIW, there is an article in this months SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association) Bulletin regarding the inaccuracy of the Navionics charts for the Southeast US and Bahamas. It's a copyrighted publication, so I don't think I can copy it here.

SSCA is a worthwhile group to join (www.ssca.org), they publish a bulletin every month with letters from cruisers all over the world with "real" information regarding equipment, places, etc.

rtbates · Post by **rtbates** » Sep 7th, '06, 10:53

For all you Garmin folks. At this point I'm leaning toward a Garmin, in particular the 492 with built in antenna and loaded chart for all US waters. Would this data be useful, ie have NOAA chart like detail. I have my doubts because the large US plug in is $312 alone. And I've found the 492 with built in chart for $700. Or would I need to buy a plug in chart on a chip?. Or go the blue chart CD route? From what I'm reading, the unlock codes are just needed for the CD, correct? The plug in chart on a chip don't, correct?

Once again thanks .

mahalocd36 · Post by **mahalocd36** » Sep 7th, '06, 11:09

rtbates wrote:For all you Garmin folks. At this point I'm leaning toward a Garmin, in particular the 492 with built in antenna and loaded chart for all US waters. Would this data be useful, ie have NOAA chart like detail.

The 192 we got last year came preloaded with charts. Yes, it's a good deal, and yes, they have NOAA chartlike detail. You shouldn't need to buy additional charts. Look at one in your local boating store if you want - you should find that you don't need to buy additional cards/etc.

If you do buy a model without preloaded charts (i.e. gpsmap 76cx), the codes are only for CDs, if you buy the 'card' you don't need one as it can only be one place at one time.

The pricing of the seperate cards is ridiculous, IMHO. The units that come preloaded are a good deal usually.

rtbates · Post by **rtbates** » Sep 7th, '06, 13:39

Thanks.

EXACTLY what I needed to verify.

The card for just the Gulf of Mexico is over $300. Priced separately the charts in the 492 are worth 3-5 times the price of the entire unit!

Gotta love this board!

thanks

chase · Post by **chase** » Sep 12th, '06, 19:53

I have only used a handheld I borrowed from my cousin and found it very unfulfilling as a chartplotter. It was the higher end Garmin with lots of charts. Since then I've more or less thought I'd hold out for the largest screen I can afford. Are the 5" screens very useful? They are much more affordable than the C80's or the Garmin equiv. but I'm concerned I’d be disappointed. I'm a paper chart guy, like being able to go from large to small scale, and wonder if the zoom function would feel useful.

Chase

chase · Post by **chase** » Sep 12th, '06, 19:56

I have only used a handheld I borrowed from my cousin and found it very unfulfilling as a chartplotter. It was the higher end Garmin with lots of charts. Since then I've more or less thought I'd hold out for the largest screen I can afford. Are the 5" screens very useful? They are much more affordable than the C80's or the Garmin equiv. but I'm concerned I’d be disappointed. I'm a paper chart guy, like being able to go from large to small scale, and wonder if the zoom function would feel useful.

Chase

Joe CD MS 300 · Post by **Joe CD MS 300** » Sep 12th, '06, 20:23

Chase,

No question the handhelds are not a readable as a fixed mount, especially the greyscale but when I got my Garmin GPSMap 76 I thought it was pretty cool to be able to get as much precision as it does. It was actually easier to use in direct sunlight rather than shade.

My Garmin 3006 has a 6.4 in. diagonal color screen and it is a vast improvement over the handheld. I have seen the 3005 which has a 5 in. diagonal and is still very readable. The zoom function actually negates most of the limitations of a small screen. You just zoom in a little quicker than you would on a larger screen.

Joe

bottomscraper · Post by **bottomscraper** » Sep 13th, '06, 08:03

The 5" diagonal screen on our 192C is much better than the smaller screen on the 76CX. Actually our 192C is mounted under the dodger and major detail can still be seen from the helm. This location was where the previous owner had located a fixed mount GPS. We were in a rush when that fixed mount GPS died and rather than move it we mounted the Garmin 192C in the same place with plans to move it someday. We found that the location under the dodger has some advantages. During our overnight to Maine the person on watch could hang out behind the dodger and keep warm letting the autopilot do the driving. We still may move it someday, currently undecided. The 192C appears to have been discontinued but the 392C/492C has most of the same features with a few changes.

Garmin 492C

chase · Post by **chase** » Sep 15th, '06, 07:00

rtbates et al,

The Garmin 492 is starting to look better and better every day. I've set aside the idea of a 10" unit, especially after acoustic's lukewarm review and my looking at myself in the mirror and saying "do I really need radar?".

What I really need is convenient accurate mapping at the helm.

rtbates, where did you find it for $700? I found it for $739 at gpsdiscount.com

As for mounting, I was looking at one of the Ram swivel units that attaches to the pedestal guard. Any comments? Other suggestions? I really need it at the helm, even if I'm trip planning at night in the rain in the cockpit. In that case, I guess an external antenna is not necessary.

Does the mapping extend as far inland as New Bern, up the Neuse, I wonder?

Last question, besides the hardware mounting, do these units have any quick disconnect feature for the power so I can put it away when it is not in use for long periods?

Thanks all-

Chase

bottomscraper · Post by **bottomscraper** » Sep 15th, '06, 08:03

The 192C that we have has just 2 connectors, one for power and data and a BNC for the external antenna. Two thumb screws hold the unit in the bracket. We remove ours when we are away from the boat. They have changed the mount for the 392/492 and it looks even easier.

The owners manual for the 492 is here: http://www.garmin.com/manuals/1068_OwnersManual.pdf

Dick Kobayashi · Post by **Dick Kobayashi** » Sep 15th, '06, 11:26

Most responses to Randy's question come from large boat owners. It would be helpful to hear from owners of 25Ds and 27s and similar on chart plotter purchases and installations. We have tillers and we don't have all that many mounting choices. So how about some tips and maybe a photo of installations on smaller CDs. Thanks

rtbates · Post by **rtbates** » Sep 15th, '06, 12:44

$707.99 at
http://www.anchorexpress.com

For our 25D, I'll be mounting the 492 on a pivot arm set just inside the companion way, portside. That way I can see it from the cockpit, be able to touch and still steer, or view it from below while at anchor, etc.

I currently have my small handheld GPS on this mounting system and it works great. Only difference is that the larger 492 may have to be pivoted out of the way in order to use the companion way. No biggie.

Big plus is that with tiller steering you can steer and still touch the 492's keys with it sitting in the protection of the companion way opening covered by the dodger.

chase · Post by **chase** » Sep 15th, '06, 16:37

Thanks Randy, I'll look at that site.

Chase

Dean Abramson · Post by **Dean Abramson** » Sep 17th, '06, 16:47

I am learning to love my Raymarine C-80. But it is a slowly budding romance. The thing seems to work great, and having never had a plotter before, it is a wonderful new experience and great safety asset.

But man, this is one of the least intuitive pieces of technology I have ever run into. As a professional phootgrapher knee-deep in digital, I spend a lot of time at the computer. Usually I can pick up the order or logic of things pretty quickly. But this sucker has me running to the manual often. And the bad news is that the manual is short on some info, and downright wrong in at least one case I know of so far.

I'm getting the hang of it, and for basic use, it is easy. And the radar seems normal enough. But if you get frustrated wiith computers easily, I would also budget for a sledge hammer to mount right there on the pedestal along with it.

Dean

The Cape Dory Board

Which GPS chart plotter do you like?

Come to think of it....

Re: Those are the big three..

blue chart unlock codes

Re: blue chart unlock codes

Melissa

smaller chartplotters (5"-7")

smaller chartplotters (5"-7")

5" diagnal screens

Garmin 492

Garmin 492 Mounting - See Owners Manual Online Link Here:

Chartplotter for 25D

for Chase

chartplotter

Raymarine C-80