Raymarine RC400 Handheld Chartplotter

Shannoner

Shannoner

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Anyone got any feedback on the Raymarine RC400 Handheld Chartplotter? I have seen one on MES for £299, seeing that it will run the Navionics River Shannon charts, I would be very interested, as this is well cheaper than a Geonav. But I am a bit concerned as to why Raymarine have stopped making them. Searched the net and found some poor feedback re batteries etc.
I don't what to spend a fortune on a plotter as I am an inland boater and will only need the plotter if I get caught out in poor vis on one of the big Shannon lakes (i.e. Lough Derg or Ree)
So, should I part with my hard earned cash and buy one?
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Don't know about that model, but I've just bought a Lowrence iFinder H20C. I'm amazed at the clarity and the detail using the Lowrance charts.

Here is a link to the details:

http://www.yachtbits.com/lowrance/ifinder_h2oc.php

However, I bought it from the US and it cost me less that £150.00 including shipping!

I bought the chart from a UK supplier for £99.00.

Garry
 
Udes one on a couple of occasions and it seemed very good. Navionics charts are well detailed and the unit has a fairly large screen.

Does seem to go through batteries though, so perhaps investigating a 12v supply by the helm to go with it would be worth while.
 
Hi, I have exactly this unit and use it on my RIB, but it is plugged into the 12v supply. I have used it occassionally as a handheld unit and it does get through the batteries (used it for about an hour but it lasted). I was using 2300mAh recharables. The screen is very clear - even in bright sunlight, the detail is excellent from the Navionics gold chart card and you can zoom right in. I bought mine in a similar deal - just after the London Boat Show 2006 - with the chart card it was about £400 I think. The unit is easy to operate - and has good menus with the main things you need being easy to access. It has all the usual things you would expect and a quick refresh rate (manages to keep up pretty well when doing 40 knots!). Hope this helps, if you want more detail please let me know.
 
I have the same unit as a back up and use it for chartplotting at home. then transfer data to card and onto RC435 on board.

excellent unit but as said by others tends to eat batteries. i did get into a discussion with Raymarine with this and need to follow up as they were aware of the problem.

not sure about the price.
they were supposed to be bringing out a newer model when they stopped selling it.

Doug
 
Thanks for the swift feedback lads.
I suppose a colour 3.5" screen will eat batteries I am sure other similar handhelds are the same re batteries. I would intend using it on the flybridge of my cruiser so I will be able to plug into 12V supply so batteries should not be a problem. So other than battery consumption it seems to be a decent piece of kit, would I be correct?
 
FOR SALE I have a brand new one still boxed. It's been out, tried and then boxed. Basically brand new. I expect the card I have won't be any good to you in Ireland. Make me an offer. I hope this is allowed. It's not really an advert.
 
snap - althogh I picked mine up from a West Marine in Florida I happened to stop at with SWMBO to look at shoes..........and I already had Nautipath and Navionics charts.

Sale process - (1) get a little shirty about someone map reading (2) oh look sat nav.......job done.
 
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So other than battery consumption it seems to be a decent piece of kit, would I be correct?


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Yes! it can run off ships batteries, either directly wired in through the main panel, or the cigar lighter, rechargeables or ordinary batteries so, power supply is not really an issue in your case. All leads are provided.
 
I have got one and think it is great.

You cannot use it without 12v hardwired into it...

Great unit...got mine from www.yachtbits.com and they did me a deal cos I bought some other stuff at the same time.

I would suggest that if you are going to use it without 12v then you should go into the set up screen and switch on the screen saver and the backlight off after x seconds.

Bit of a pain that it doesn't (at least mine doesn't) save the settings so you have to remember to save them each time.

I would definitely have another one.
 
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