B&G vs Raymarine plotter features for cruising sailing

[MattS]

Had a look at potential plotters this week, seems that the only two real options are Raymarine or B&G if you want something with a reasonable reputation and support network. I know there are some other cheaper brands becoming more popular like Onwa, but they just don’t seem to be up there in terms of ease of use and design from what I can tell.

Playing with the plotters themselves, Raymarine interface seems far cleaner and less ’fussy’.

I’ve done a fair bit of Googling, and forum searching to try and get some real life feedback on people’s experiences with these two brands. There aren’t loads of decent side by side comparisons, although it seems common for people to say B&G are “more suited to sailing”. Features like lay lines and sail steer are suggested differentiators, but then I look at Raymarine and they appear to do lay lines too… maybe this is a recent thing?

So my question is:

does anyone actually know what true differentiators there are between these two main brands, for a normal coastal cruising sailor? or are we at a point where it really is just down to preference of ecosystem / interface…

 

[ctva]

When I looked about 3 years ago, I went for B&G as the customer service is better (Raymarine had poor rep then, not sure if that has changed). Also I wanted N2K and Raymarine had their own connections so no use.

However, they both do the same thing so go with whichever you like the look and feel of.

 

[jwfrary]

Theres a neat wind shift tracking feature on the b&g that I rather likev

 

[PaulRainbow]

I prefer Garmin to Raymarine or B&G, better support, in my experience.

 

[jwfrary]

I prefer Garmin to Raymarine or B&G, better support, in my experience.

Some rumoured new products soon as well worth looking at.

 

[Bru]

Much is down to personal preference. Mine is for Raymarine!

I personally find the Raymarine interface cleaner and easier to use, the config and setup more straightforward and the system integration better. I've always received excellent support from them too

B&G does offer features that are of benefit to the performance sailor but I'm a slow coach so I don't need them and in my experience getting an integrated B&G system to actually integrate can be frustrating. Their support is also good though (and has had to be!)

Garmin I dislike intensely, nothing but trouble afaic. Nothing about Garmin has ever impressed me!

All of which is stuff all help when you consider that Paul prefers Garmin!!! Like I said, it's mostly a matter of personal preference

 

[pvb]

I had a Raymarine C120 plotter on my last boat, and it was OK. My current boat has a full Garmin plotter/radar/autopilot/VHF/AIS/wind/depth/speed system and it all works seamlessly. The plotter interface is quite straightforward. Software updates are easy too - just download on to an SD card, pop it in the plotter, and it all happens automatically. On the odd occasion I've needed to ask Garmin a question, their UK support has been exceptionally good - much better than the support I experienced previously with Raymarine.

 

[prv]

Features like lay lines and sail steer are suggested differentiators, but then I look at Raymarine and they appear to do lay lines too… maybe this is a recent thing?

Yes, I believe these are a relatively new addition to the Raymarine software.

As you suspect, there isn’t really a “killer feature” to any of them any more and if you’re starting from a clean slate then it’s mostly down to preference. I’m very happy with my Raymarine and disliked the last B&G I used, but that probably wasn’t a like-for-like generation comparison.

If you already have an autopilot from one of the makes then you should be tilted heavily in that direction for the plotter, as there’s very limited standardisation and hence compatibility in that area.

Pete

 

[prv]

I had a Raymarine C120 plotter on my last boat, and it was OK. My current boat has a full Garmin plotter/radar/autopilot/VHF/AIS/wind/depth/speed system and it all works seamlessly. The plotter interface is quite straightforward. Software updates are easy too - just download on to an SD card, pop it in the plotter, and it all happens automatically.

With a fifteen year development gap it’s hardly surprising that the modern Garmin is much nicer ?. The benefits you describe should apply to any make. I download updates to my Axiom by using my phone as a hotspot (I could also connect it to marina wifi, but my phone is faster…) but the SD card route and possibly (I haven’t tried) a USB stick are also available.

Pete

 

[MattS]

Yes, I believe these are a relatively new addition to the Raymarine software.

As you suspect, there isn’t really a “killer feature” to any of them any more and if you’re starting from a clean slate then it’s mostly down to preference. I’m very happy with my Raymarine and disliked the last B&G I used, but that probably wasn’t a like-for-like generation comparison.

If you already have an autopilot from one of the makes then you should be tilted heavily in that direction for the plotter, as there’s very limited standardisation and hence compatibility in that area.

Pete

I do already have a Raymarine ST2000 tiller pilot

 

[lustyd]

I have the B&G Zeus 3s and the Vulcan 9. Both use the same software which is nice in use but has some utterly pointless bugs and issues. Setup is confusing and requires an online account which isn't really necessary. The units are unable to reliably track a trip and save the track (usually these get corrupted) which is fine, because despite it being 2021 there isn't a way to export a track in a format anyone else uses. They do support GPX, but the files are always corrupt and don't open in any software I've tried. I do like the interface, and the units are pretty quick. The Halo 20+ radar can spot pot markers reliably, which is nice.

I have no recent experience of Raymarine, other than their ST1 to STNG converter, which craps out quite often for no apparent reason. I don't have experience with recent Garmin marine, but lots of experience of their other stuff in outdoor and fitness. Support with Garmin is excellent and their software these days seems to work well. I couldn't for the life of me work out which unit was which with Garmin, or how old/high in the range. This has not improved from what I can see so good luck working out which to buy!

TLDR - there isn't a particularly great option because boaters don't upgrade often enough for the vendors to try harder.

 

[Laysula]

I'm in the same boat,ie looking for a new plotter. I guess that your comparing the B&G Vulcan and the Raymarine Axiom, I'm also considering the Ramarine Elements which is not touch screen. Has anyone any thoughts on the Elements which is operated by buttons and knobs.

 

[Tanqueray]

I'm currently in the position of having recently bought another boat without yet having disposed of the original(s) (Cough, yes dear) - one has a Simrad + B&G set up, one a Garmin set up, and the latest has a Raymarine C120 wide at the chart table with an Axiom pro about to be fitted at the helm (good planning eh?).
I would make three comments to add to the mix;
1. I have found less importance about the particular make than with the spec of the unit itself - and yes B&G and the latest Raymarine seem very similar. No significant failures or lack of support with any manufacturer.
2. With regard to unit spec, I would opt for hybrid touch (i.e. Keypad plus touchscreen) as best, failing that I would go push button only rather than touch-screen only - I ran out of paper roll during 4 solid days of thick fog in Biscay trying to keep a touchscreen operational - never again!
3. Screen size is very important - but having three let alone four windows open on all but the very largest screens does not work imho. Havingmultiple smaller units with each showing different screens is better I find - I run 3X simrad NSS 7" plus a 12" B&G and only change displays from 'sea mode' to 'entering harbour' mode - other than that one change, I rarely need to flip between screens.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

With regard to unit spec, I would opt for hybrid touch (i.e. Keypad plus touchscreen) as best, failing that I would go push button only rather than touch-screen only

My system is Simrad (Navico as B&G) on a mobo but this for me is key. Touch screen is nice in harbour or flat calm but in any sort of sea the buttons/rotary knob are priceless for ease and accuracy of use.

 

[lustyd]

My system is Simrad (Navico as B&G) on a mobo but this for me is key. Touch screen is nice in harbour or flat calm but in any sort of sea the buttons/rotary knob are priceless for ease and accuracy of use.

The Navico units allow you to buy the buttons separately and this works out cheaper than the units with buttons. That said, you'll probably not want to look up the price, it's more than you'd think for 8 buttons and a knob!

 

[dolabriform]

I have a B&G Vulcan at the helm. I love that I can share the plotter screen to my iPad when I'm below and control the plotter from it. Also, I can get almost all the info I want on the Raymarine N2K multi-function display I have at the chart table.
The B&G will do software and navionics chart updates via wifi, tethered either to my phone or on a marina wifi. No need to remove the chart card.

 

[Tranona]

I do already have a Raymarine ST2000 tiller pilot

The ST 2000 will not interface with a plotter, but the Evo will.

Which plotter you choose may depend on what you already have installed to feed it data and what you want to do with your plotter. They are like PCs dishwashers and washing machines - loads of choices of functions most of which you will never use. Like pvb I have the full Garmin system installed from new and I like it, but pretty sure I would say the same about a Raymarine or B&G of the same level. One of the best developments is Wi Fi so that you can have a slave repeater at the chart table using a cheap 10" tablet.

 

[Bru]

...

The ST 2000 will not interface with a plotter, but the Evo will.

The ST2000 won't but the ST2000+ will (and did on our previous boat, amongst others) although the functionality is hardly ground breaking!

 

[MattS]

I'm in the same boat,ie looking for a new plotter. I guess that your comparing the B&G Vulcan and the Raymarine Axiom, I'm also considering the Ramarine Elements which is not touch screen. Has anyone any thoughts on the Elements which is operated by buttons and knobs.

I’ve ruled out the Element range as you can’t use your tablet as a repeater (which I want to)

 

[MattS]

...


The ST2000 won't but the ST2000+ will (and did on our previous boat, amongst others) although the functionality is hardly ground breaking!

Yes I think mine is actually the ST2000+