Replacement chartplotter

[jwilson]

As my four year old (deeply disappointing brightness/visibility in direct sunlight) Garmin 3005C fitted at the helm has just died. I have the choice of having it repaired, or paying a bit more and replacing with another make and/or model. There is also a 7" Raymarine C70 at the chart table, but I have used a similar one on deck in sunlight, and it too is dim and difficult to read, so moving that is not an option.

All chartplotters seem to be OK down below, or shaded under a sprayhood, but do any cheapish plotters actually work well in sunlight? 5 or 6 inch OK - not much room for bigger, maybe just a 7 inch one if the case is not too big.

 

[prv]

My CP180i is fine in bright sunlight.

This model is still Standard Horizon's current one, but is getting a bit long in the tooth now. For that reason I hesitate to recommend it unconditionally, but after playing with most of the options at last year's SIBS it was the one I found easiest to use. Case seems sturdy and "professional", and it uses C-Map charts which are a commercial standard and not going away any time soon.

It's firmly in the "cheap plotter" category, although compared to Garmins with bundled charts it doesn't work out as the absolute cheapest for a complete package. Most sellers have a deal on charts sold with it; make sure you don't pay full price for those.

Pete

 

[HappyHunter]

Have you looked at the new Raymarine E7? Starts shipping any week now, I was told at the Boat Show.

 

[prv]

Have you looked at the new Raymarine E7?

With a lowest price on Google Shopping of £995, excluding charts, I'm not sure I'd count that as a "cheapish plotter"

Pete

 

[HappyHunter]

I suppose it depends on what is meant by "cheapish"? Presumably the OP can take a look - all my post suggested - and decide for himself. Compared to the existing Raymarine C "wide" and E series, the pricing seems quite reasonable for what you get. If you want to be able to see a display in bright sunshine, that is bound to come at a price.

 

[Cantata]

My CP180i is fine in bright sunlight.

This model is still Standard Horizon's current one, but is getting a bit long in the tooth now. For that reason I hesitate to recommend it unconditionally, but after playing with most of the options at last year's SIBS it was the one I found easiest to use. Case seems sturdy and "professional", and it uses C-Map charts which are a commercial standard and not going away any time soon.

It's firmly in the "cheap plotter" category, although compared to Garmins with bundled charts it doesn't work out as the absolute cheapest for a complete package. Most sellers have a deal on charts sold with it; make sure you don't pay full price for those.

Pete

I'm a happy user of one of these, too. No probs in bright sunshine, at all.

 

[V1701]

And another CP180i here, very happy with it, very good in sun. Got mine from Marine Superstore with 1/2 price charts, they'll maybe have another offer on this winter. They let me have different charts to the ones in the offer as well...

 

[jwilson]

And another CP180i here, very happy with it, very good in sun. Got mine from Marine Superstore with 1/2 price charts, they'll maybe have another offer on this winter. They let me have different charts to the ones in the offer as well...

Sounds like a Sh180then - annoying that I looked at that 4 years ago in Marine Superstore, with about a dozen plotters turned on in their (indoor) display, and chose the Garmin as looking brighter, sharper, and better built. It was also almost twice the price!

 

[RivalRedwing]

Have a look at the SH300 too if the wallet can cope, comparable performance, bigger screen

 

[omega2]

Before you throw away the Garmin have a word with them, they are an excellent company and may surprise you.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=291&ra=true