GPS Chartplotters

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:59 pm

I'm looking at augmenting my old Furuno GP 32 GPS with one of the newer chartplotters with all the charts loaded in. What do you folks have on your boats, and what brand / model would you recommend.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:09 pm

Furuno makes the best radar but Garmin wins in the GPS area hands down . on our pier you can find furno/raymarine/koden/garmin/sitex radar/gps combo units .But each of those boats has a separate garmin gps unit except the boat with the garmin gps radar combo

what does that tell you ?

what model ? I don't think there is a bad choice with garmin I am runnig 2 182C units ( no longer made )

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:43 pm

Raymarine is very promenent up my way.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:49 am

I have the Raymarine radar/plotter/bottomfinder/autopilot.

Based on the C-80 series.

The radar has been back for repairs and the connectors on the unit are a POS.

Other than being on a straight course, the autopilot has on occasion been unreliable and I do not trust it. When in use I watch it like a pot of near boiling water on the stove.

Take your time on this one and do your research.

RWS

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 7:05 am

I use the Garmin 420 with the g2 Vision charts. Great GPS which has satellite imagery if you want to use it. It also has the water depths color coded in the 3D view so that at one glance you can tell where the shallows begin. The 3D underwater view has a 3D image of the bottom contour based on the chart depths and is really handy.

At $450 it is hard to beat.

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 7:31 am

I have an older RayMarine radar but have a 2010 Garmin chartplotter, 10" screen. Garmin, hands down, for chartplotters.

Extremely user friendly.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:30 am

I'd keep the Furuno GP 32 as your backup system.

I love Furuno sounders. As someone stated, Garmin does very nice GPS, but Furuno has wonderful sounders. The new, integrated Furunos are fantastic - mine has g500Watts, and can pinpoint bait balls in color which really puts me on the fish.

Does your Furuno 29 have NMEA, so you can integrate with other gear? You should also have a connection to your VHFs, so you transmit your GPS coords in an emergency call (red button on your VHF).

I had Raymarine radar, but its shot. Will buy Furuno someday (or fis what I have).

For reliability, I always have 2 of everything on the boat. I use different models of each unit as well, so that some issue with a specific model doesn't affect both - something to think about. Offshore, I use:

Furuno FCV582 Sounder
Garmin GPSMap 168 GPS/Chartplotter
Uniden Mystic handheld GPSchart/VHF
PC based GPS
Icom IC-M402 VHF with 8' antenna
Icom IC-M502 VHF with 19' antenna
ACR ResQFix 406MHz PLB (EPIRB)

Molly Too · Post by **Molly Too** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:31 am

Furuno Radar - Garmin GPS here.

Tuck · Post by **Tuck** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:38 am

Garmin 530s. Looking for another garmin unit to use at the lower station....looking for right deal/unit on ebay.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 10:09 am

RWS, what kind of auto pilot are you running? I know there have been a few software upgrades for them. I've run into a few installs that weren't quite right and once corrected, the glitches dissapeared.

Danny, the new CAN BUS network stuff now used by several manufacturers are great. Basically plug and play individual components and accessories you may want to add later. More expensive option, very fast, lots of options.

If you install yourself, follow instructions carefully, use a clean power source and make sure your connections are high quality. Purchase from a dealer that provides support and will back up the product they sell or you're on your own. If you pay to have someone install, get refferences and follow up. A propper install makes all the difference in the world.

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:15 am

Lowrance HDS-7 Chartplotter/High Def sounder with Navionics Gold charts
Radar is a 4Kw JRC Would definitely get another, it's been a great unit

tsawyer · Post by **tsawyer** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 4:13 pm

My boat came with Furuno Radar and GPS/Sounder. My other boat has a Garmin combo unit (GPS/Sounder). I can definatley say that the Garmin is much easier to use and understand than the Furuno.

I didn't ever have to pull out the manual for the Garmin to figure it out (other than the installation.)

I've been reading the Furuno manual and still working at it.

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 4:24 pm

Thanks guys...a wealth of information. Locally Garmin is preferred head and sholders above the others. I'm still shopping, but am leaning toward the Garmin GPSMAP 541

g36 · Post by **g36** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 10:35 pm

another vote for lowrance hds 7

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:56 am

Big D wrote:RWS, what kind of auto pilot are you running? I know there have been a few software upgrades for them. I've run into a few installs that weren't quite right and once corrected, the glitches dissapeared.

.

It's the Raymarine Smart Pilot.

It features the fluxgate compass which also failed under warranty.

I have upgraded the C80 GPS unit.

How do I upgrade the software on the Autopilot?

THANKS!!!!!

RWS