Chartplotters

Ok, our Eagle GPS appears to have given up the ghost...well at least two of the fairly important buttons - the "exit" and "enter" keys seem not to do anything anymore! This is the second unit and third antennae we've had so I think its time for a new one and perhaps time we splashed out on a chartplotter.

So who out there in CyberRIBland uses what? Our ideal is a colour chartplotter with integral GPS and antennae (i.e. just requires a power lead) Oh yes and we don't want to spend more than £6-800!

TIA, Alan

Ah. My favourite subject. Alan, you have seen mine, but not "used" it. It is a Garmin 235 GPS/Plotter/Sounder with a reasonable sized screen, ideal for Ribing. It takes C-Chart modules which show detail even down to the individual pontoons in my Marina, and now the US DOD have switched off the error, it seems to be accurate to just a few feet.
Although I have had problems with the Sounder, I have to admit that Garmins warranty policy is absolutely superb. They will exchange any failed unit with a new one without quibble.
The unit would fit your price bracket too. It is only monochrome though.

The Garmin 235 is good for ribs. I use the 230 which is basically a 235 without the sounder.
Although monochrome, the display is easy to read even in bright sunlight. For night use however the three levels of backlight are all too bright.
The only problem I have had is with the mounting bracket which is too flimsy for the size and weight of the display unit. It really has to be flush mounted. The set is designed for this, so no problem.

Brian,

Can you read your Garmin in a force 5 and the pouring rain?! I couldn't!! Although that was also due to the fact it kept flopping down on its bracket (as per Allen's comments.) I do think the display was very clear but I have used a colour plotter (GEonav 6) and thought that was better. Price may drive our choice though.

Allen, thanks for your thoughts. Unfortunately we don't have room to flush mount a plotter ... leastways not where it can be easily seen!

Alan

Alan,
You couldn't read it in a Force 5 in driving rain cause your specs. didn't have windscreen wipers fitted that particular day!
I agree about the bracket. Mine is an unofficial unit made up by the boat builder and suffers from an inadequate "grip" on the side holding wheels.
I too believe colour is a better solution to the readability issue, but suspect from the units that I have looked at, that budget is likely to temper choice here.

Brian, Good point about the specs, well made. That particular day I had difficulty in merely following John L in Blue Ice! I now have a decent pair of ski goggles that fit over my glasses that should solve the problem. Although I expect your new boat to have windscreen wipers!

Garmin 230 is now pretty cheap thats for sure so we may have to look at it. I would prefer a unit with an integral antennae as we've had loads of problems with pulling the antennae plug out of the current GPS and its such an arse feeding cable under the deck to the A frame! A unit with just a power input can also be used at home for route planning.

My investigations continue!

Alan

Just a thought to anyone who has a Garmin 230/5 or equivalent. I have a spare, brand new echoe sounder Transponder and GPS arial and their attached wiring harnesses (exactly as supplied by Garmin). Any deserving person needs only to ask me nicely and I will let them have same for free (or buy me a beer if ever we meet).
And Alan.
I am sure that the new boat has both windscreen AND tonnau cover.
I don't do rain!!

Hi all,

I have finally written a review of my new Garmin GPSMAP 180. The review covers some basic features and chart display.

The review is based on using the unit in simulate mode in the comfort of my work room. Meaning - it should not be taken too seriously. Still, it points out some possible problems.

Practical evaluation will have to wait until ice melts here in Sweden!

You can find the review at: http://home.swipnet.se/rib-world/equipment/electronics.html

Regards,

Sasa

Consider the Garmin 168 gps/sounder, compact takes a licken & keeps on ticken,accurate to within one meter- no special mini map/charts cassetes to buy (VERY $$)and tracks 12 satalites nearly instantly. With a temperature transducer combo, surely a good combination-speed indicated via gps. Bright sun, noooooo problem, polarized glasses work great, night time view is backlite, and functions a simple and straitforward. I run a nautica 5.75 m w/115 4-stroke yamaha.