GPS ChartPlotters

Steve_D

New member
Joined
14 Feb 2002
Messages
264
Location
Guernsey
Visit site
I've been looking at GPS ChartPlotters (yes I know I haven't got a boat yet but I like toys and its shiny and got buttons)

I really like the Garmin 172 colour with the BlueWater Charts. Its self contained and will take a dunk in the Briney. The thing is this, is the screen too small at about 3.8 inch diag? in the shop it looks fine, the colour screen is crisp and sharp and the charts look pretty much like paper admiralty ones. But will it be ok when I'm bouncing around in the boat. Those of you that have been paying attention will remember that I'm after a Fletcher SportsCruiser 19 and most of the other plotters I have seen look too large to sit comfortably behind the windscreen.

Will the screen be readable in anger or should I look at the 182 Colour which is about 5 inch diag? but has a separate ariel (sp?) and would therefore be more fiddly to take home. I notice the 182 grey scale got a good review in MBM the colour version should be out soon. All comments gratefully received.

TIA

Steve D
 
G

Guest

Guest
Personally I would buy the biggest one you can afford at the time, also size to suit the dash on the boat etc, tech stuff moves on so quick, so buy one after you have got the boat up and running, there may be a chance that what you buy has already got one anyway.
Paul js.
 

longjohnsilver

Well-known member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
18,840
Visit site
Would agree with Paul, I have a 235 which is excellent but would like the new blue chart version, they look superb, usual Garmin high quality product.
 

byron

RIP
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
9,584
Location
UK -Berks
Visit site
Unfortunately until you get a decent size screen they are no more than toys. Personally I don't think they're much use in real situations, bouncing about etc., until you reach the size of the Garman 2010

ô¿ô
 

jfm

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
23,959
Location
Jersey/Antibes
Visit site
I use a 10.4" screen on our own boat but also a Mag Nav6000 handheld plotter, for charter boats and "other peoples" boats. The 6000 has same size screen as 172, only it's b/w. IMHO the handhelds work fine, and the 172 looks an excellent product for your boat. True, a massive colour screen is a nice luxury if you have the space, but the 172 will work absolutely fine and is perfect for a 19 foot boat. I think it's definitely the right choice.
 

tcm

...
Joined
11 Jan 2002
Messages
23,958
Location
Caribbean at the moment
Visit site
there are (i think) extra things so you can mount the thing on the dashboard, and use 12v electrics from a ciglighter adapter, worth having. Also, take it home and disembowel an old phone charger, so u can put in lots of waypoints, and get slick at using it. Also also...a 3.8" screen will be fine, sound manky, but the "highway" function and zooming makes it all fine.
 

Steve_D

New member
Joined
14 Feb 2002
Messages
264
Location
Guernsey
Visit site
Re: GPS ChartPlotters More Info

'Had another look at the specs on several GPS chartplotters and noticed that the smaller 172 has a higher pixel count than the larger 182 and also the NavMan unit this would account for the sharper appearance of the charts I should think.

My eyesight is quite good, so I will go for the 172 and see how I get on its only about £490 ex vat and the charts I get can be used on the larger model if I find its no good, I'll just keep it as a backup.

Steve D
 

andyball

New member
Joined
1 Jun 2001
Messages
2,043
Visit site
Re: GPS ChartPlotters More Info

Is a garmin 172 so new that garmin.com don't have it on their website?. or do you mean a 176. I only ask 'cos I'm looking for something small for our new boat, and it sounds suitable, but I can't find anything about it.

Thanks
 

Steve_D

New member
Joined
14 Feb 2002
Messages
264
Location
Guernsey
Visit site
Re: GPS ChartPlotters OOPS!

Sorry that was a typo you're right that should have been 176 not 172 I got mixed up 'cos I was comparing with the 182C.

When I had a look at the 176C it looked very crisp and sharp at normal viewing distance (reading distance) compared to the others with twice the screen size. I like the fact that it is self contained and portable, unplug the power cable, two clicks on the mount and you're away. As I said earlier I think I will get one and if find that its too small in normal use I'll keep it as a backup in my grab bag and get the 182C as well.

Regards

Steve D
 

andyball

New member
Joined
1 Jun 2001
Messages
2,043
Visit site
Re: GPS ChartPlotters OOPS!

Thanks Steve, I'm considering the navman....it's the only one with swivel-base so's I can see it if my wife's steering.

But maybe a handheld like the 176 would solve that.
 

Steve_D

New member
Joined
14 Feb 2002
Messages
264
Location
Guernsey
Visit site
Re: GPS ChartPlotters OOPS!

The 176 is more fistheld than handheld, its fairley chunky, The NavMan was also nice and seemed well put together, I liked the ability to add a fuel transducer and get loads of data out about fuel consumption etc, but I was less impressed with the useability and C-Map charts although I haven't yet seen the new ones (C-map+ ?) The Garmin seemed more intuitive, maybe because I've owned several already.

Regards

Steve D
 
Top