GPS, raymarine or garmin

peter 24/7 · 04 January 2005, 21:38

I know it is always down to personal preference, but what are your thoughts on :
Raymarine RC4351 running Navionnivs Gold or Garmin 182c on blue chart

as we all know, these units have hundreds of functions, of which we only use a few. I would like to know, which is the easiest to use and would you recommend Navionics of Blue chart..

is there any other unit you would recommend

Wayne Rogers · 04 January 2005, 21:49

I'm using the 435 with navionics gold, easy to use, good display, and if you do get a problem after sales is second to none. Had problem with mine switching off after 5 minutes, sent it back and had a brand new one delivered to my door within three days. It was allready on my Rib when I purchased her so I don't if it was abused before hand.

jwalker · 04 January 2005, 22:32

Garmin used to use Navionics cartography before they developed the Bluechart system. My old Garmin(navionics) had lots of errors in the mapping. Perhaps it is all sorted now, though. Pigs might fly too.

Richard B · 04 January 2005, 22:48

I've found Garmin easier to use... more intuitive.

pettal · 05 January 2005, 12:53

Had garmins for years and love 'em. Very easy to use one handed at speed to get to the info quickly with least hassle.

Mapsource marine cartography is a top program and I've had no problems with it navigation or error wise. In fact as a sad tw@t I actually sit and play with the mapping software quite a bit routing ficticious journeys!

Can't say the same about the car road mapping software though.......they seem to have missed three of my roads out on the way to southern france!

Biggles · 05 January 2005, 18:43

I've only used a Garmin GPs 126 but found that to have a very inadequate and poorly built connector where the power cable goes in the back of the head unit.

I've had to rebuild it twice because the water seems to find its way on the contacts and corrodes them.

I have used other makes of electronic gadgets and found them to be of a far superior construction to the Garmin.

For what its worth I would not choose a Garmin product again without careful consideration of what the opposition has to offer.

codprawn · 05 January 2005, 19:50

Have a look at the Garmin 172c - it has a slightly smaller screen but higher res and more colours - also a faster cpu. Oh and it's cheaper - the 182 has been around for a while now!

Go to Garmin.com and select the 2 products and do a "compare" - you will see what I mean!