Gps

Lomac1 · 20 February 2016, 15:39

Can anyone recommend a gps unit for a 5.5m rib on a budget cheers

A1an · 20 February 2016, 16:07

A recent thread might help you.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/current...ers-71149.html

Lomac1 · 20 February 2016, 16:14

Cheers

Iron Dials · 20 February 2016, 19:47

Hi Lomac1
I was asking "that" question.

I put a Garmin 45dv on my 6m rib last summer. Mounted without any complication on console.
That was to replace a 10 year old gps which worked but didn't have mapping for my part of the coast. (test run carried out on boat in map coverage area- you live and you learn).

This winter I removed the old fishfinder (and everything else from the console!) as it's reliability was inversely related to water depth and fitted a transducer for the 45dv.

As a gps the 45dv worked fine with good mapping included. I have no complaints at all.
The replies I got all said bigger is better for screen size, and I agree as my current screen is too small if using sounder and gps together.
The next size up is 5in screen so that's what I'm going to buy (mainly as it has proper flush mount kit-otherwise I would buy another 45dv) , 45dv will serve as fishfinder and also back up nav.

Hope this helps.

Lomac1 · 20 February 2016, 20:23

Thanks I was looking to flush fit myself so may wait a while and get a bigger screen as I've only just bought the rib.

9D280 · 22 February 2016, 10:58

FWIW I used a Garmin 12 as my prime nav unit for a while until I tripped over the Lowrance on the bits & pieces section here.

I agree 5" is probably the lower limit for a plotter , but when I was using the 12 I built up a set of waypoints & routes that I could use to monitor my position relative to the solid stuff. I then set the XTC error to 1/4 mile, and switched it to "motoway mode" - as long as I stuck within the edges I knew I was clear of the rocks. Also that is a nice visiual on a 1" LD B&W screen while bouncing along at 20 knots!

Granted it did involve a bit of pre planning, but I stil l carry it as backup as the waypoints are still valid & it runs for 24 hrs on a set of AAs.......

Re. screen size on a plotter I just set mine to overlay speed & depth at top left & right, in "large font" and left the fishfinder graphic display on another menu, theory being All I really need to know is how much water under the keel.

You can pick up a used Garmin 72 for sub £100. If you really want mapswhile you wait for the plotter there's always the 76 or equivalent....

Lomac1 · 22 February 2016, 20:05

Had a look around I'm now thinking lowerance elite 5 hdi which is a 5" display for around £400 looks good value

Iron Dials · 23 February 2016, 06:04

I'm considering same but be careful with charts included.
If you're planning to use boat from different locations (in my case trailer down to S coast of Ireland) then you may need to buy a second chart download which costs lots of extra magic beans.
If one chart will do it then nothing to worry about.

9D280 · 25 February 2016, 16:39

Or spend a little more and get a Navonics gold 28XG (I may have the letters wrong - I'm going from memory here) which is the whole of the UK and Ireland and is only something like double the cost of a relatively small area.

Lomac1 · 25 February 2016, 19:44

Wow it looks like you really need the charts as it only come with a very basic base layer chart so looks like another 160 for the uk chart
There are on eBay the same model for around 200 which I take it you just slot in the uk chart ? Making a big saving if you can get away with the import duty.

beamishken · 25 February 2016, 21:31

I got a complete UK garmin full function bluechart off ebay for £30 described as second hand but surprise surprise the seller had sold loads so I guess he's found a way to clone the bluechart which made my garmin 55dv a bargain from cactus navigation
Just need to get the boat ready and some decent weather to try it in