Fixed GPS

LadyInBed

LadyInBed

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 Sep 2001
Messages
15,222
Location
Me - Zumerzet Boat - Wareham
montymariner.co.uk
Am I the only person that doesn't want a Garmin?
It's not the price or functionality but the size!
I want a neat rectangular one about 8"x5" with a clear black on white display. MLR used to do one but casting around it looks like my only option is the Furuno GP-32.
Putting aside the LEICA MX420/2 GPS NAV SYSTEM at £1928.95 from MES ltd have I missed any?
 
I have a much critisised micrologic I no longer need, it functions very well. my only complaint is it is a very busy piece of kit, it tries to do to much. If you want it, complete with manuals et all, pm me
 
For a bit more perhaps get a chartplotter. You get a basic chart with the system, enough to help, add a chart cartidge if you need it.
Perhaps look at the Navman 5500?
There is also a Lowrance plotter thats worth a look
 
8" x 5" ..... so that means screen will be small at not much more than 3" ~

If you want B&W ..... the Raymarine 425 in MES etc. is a good deal at 199.95 .... its a good data display machine or add the card and get plotting ....

or go for the Lowrance as I did - full coloyr plotting with card at 445 ....

Considering the price of data only GPS and the prices of budget plotters ... is it worth going the route of data only ?

Prices are going down and specs going up .... after looking at taking on a 2nd hand set - then seeing new prices etc. I decided to have the warranty as well ... for little more.

Funny thing is as well - many second user or "New" sets on ebay sell for more than you pay over the counter .....
 
Raymarine 425 - If I wanted a chart plotter that would be very tempting and what a good price.
Pity it wont fit into the 8"x5" hole /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

PS See pic of Furuno - I can read that display without glasses night or day /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Screen clarity...

The Furuno GP32 is a sound unit, but if screen clarity is an issue for you it might be worth looking for something with a higher definition screen. The Furuno only has 120x64 pixels, and larger digits look quite "blocky". Not sure what you've got against Garmin, but their GPS152 is under 5" high, has double the screen definition of the Furuno (so giving much clearer graphics), and arguably is easier to use.
 
Re: Screen clarity...

Yes, 5"x5" that will also fit the bill and the price is good, but the black on grey (diagonal 102 mm - about 72mm x 72mm) is smaller and doesn't appear to be quite as clear as the Furuno's black on white 209 mm x 125 mm display.
 
No, rather than fixing the problems with them Raymarine have taken the RN 300/320 off the market just when it became the only fairly decent fixed installation unit available. I still miss my AP6 which was the forerunner of current Leica units. For something that was one of the first in the market place it was brilliant and I doubt if its functionality for sailing boats has ever been bettered.
 
How big???...

Think you need to look at the Furuno spec a bit more carefully - the display is only 95 x 60mm, about the same size as the Garmin 152.

The Garmin has a 4-level grey display capability to enhance the graphics, but most data is displayed simply as black on white.
 
Also note that...

Also note that the size quoted by Compass is the max overall size including the mounting bracket and the end knobs. Their price isn't brilliant either.
 
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