Replacement plotter... SH or Garmin?

KevO

KevO

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A Standard Horizon CP180 that will take the march 2013 NT+ card I have or a Garmin 551 preloaded? Similar in price(ish) although I could sell the card to offset the greater cost of the Garmin I suppose. Thoughts?
 
Just so as you dont think you are on everyones 'ignore' list, I'll chuck in my 2p worth.

I'm a big fan of Garmin, I have everything Garmin all linked up from radar to sounder. So if there were no other considerations I would naturally say go the Garmin route. However, unless you have any plans to expand the system using Garmin, as you already have the chart card for the SH 180, that makes the most sense as a purchase. I know a lot of people use SH kit and are very happy with. Fact is you cant really go wrong with either for support and product quality.
 
I thought my post was withering on the vine :rolleyes:

Thanks for your advice Galadriel, It's gonna be a purely price driven choice then it seems.
 
These are very different devices from a usage point of view even if they achieve the same thing. Can you get to a shop and try them? Marine Super Store at Port Solent has both live on display so it might be worth the detour on your way to the boat. They also generally have good prices within a few pounds of the best.

It's also worth mentioning that these forums regularly have people with problems connecting Garmin GPS to non Garmin VHF via NMEA, and not every one of those threads turned out to be user error so double check compatibility before purchase.
 
lustyd said:
These are very different devices from a usage point of view even if they achieve the same thing. Can you get to a shop and try them? Marine Super Store at Port Solent has both live on display so it might be worth the detour on your way to the boat. They also generally have good prices within a few pounds of the best.

It's also worth mentioning that these forums regularly have people with problems connecting Garmin GPS to non Garmin VHF via NMEA, and not every one of those threads turned out to be user error so double check compatibility before purchase.
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we've had the garmin 551 3yrs or so- it connected to vhf (non garmin) no probs - thought might upgrade preloaded charts for uk next yr (if we go off for longer ) and then maybe extend electronic charts coverage if need be-don't want to hijack thread but-- best way to do this ?? best buys etc???
ps -just fitting nasa ais so hope that will pick up nmea from garmin plotter too !!!!
 
My SH has been trouble free and easy to interface with AIS. Great kit, free software updates and great customer support.
 
nigelmercier said:
My advice is to play with both before you decide. I think Garmin have the least intuitive user interface known to man.
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Interesting.
I've just fitted a 750 and it's very easy and intuitive compared with the old Chartmaster I had, and a friend remarked how easy and intuitive it is after his Raymarine.

I chose it in preference to a SH after trying both.

I've had no trouble taking its output to Raymarine ST60 instruments and a Skanti DSC radio, as you know Nigel I am having trouble putting NMEA info into it from both. I think Garmin's input implementation is absolute carp, in fairness Raymarine's output is a bit funny too but the Skanti has a proper RS422 spec. (I haven't had time to try your optoisolator suggestion.)

Garmin have admitted a problem and said "We are currently trying to locate a similar device to yours and will be testing this further for you to hopefully find a solution to this issue I'm sorry for any inconvenience."
 
When I bought my boat it had a Garmin, on the trip fron Eastbourne to Shoreham I was determined to replace it with a SH as I had on the last boat. 2 weeks later SH300 installed and Garmin sold on For Sale forum. I just couldn't work the Garmin, nothing in the menus made any sense.
 
Strange some of the comments, I dont think I have had to turn a page in the manual to install or operate any of my Garmin kit, its working with (via NMEA) a Comar AIS and Icom DSC radio. The screen menus are just so easy!
 
Well done to those who have Garmins connected to other equipment - this is not a surprise since NMEA is a standard so it should work most of the time. What I meant was that in some instances (and I've only ever read about this with Garmin GPS) they won't connect to other equipment. As I mentioned there are quite a few threads about this sort of thing with Garmin, and as I also said not all of them were down to user error or faulty installation. Sometimes Garmins just don't talk to other kit.
Personally I like the Garmins and their interface and would choose one over SH despite having an SH radio but that is just my preference and certainly not based on any tangible reasons - it's mostly a dislike of the SH joystick thing :)
 
OK, I'm gonna go with the SH 180.

Now... I want to flush mount it in the cockpit bulkhead. Should I get the one with an external antenna or will the integrated model work fine in such a pos'n?
 
KevO said:
OK, I'm gonna go with the SH 180.

Now... I want to flush mount it in the cockpit bulkhead. Should I get the one with an external antenna or will the integrated model work fine in such a pos'n?
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My SH plotter with integral aerial works fine in a binnacle housing, prior to installation it sparked up from all positions below decks, it does appear to be a pretty sensitive unit...so it probably will work OK. No gtees though.
 
KevO said:
OK, I'm gonna go with the SH 180.

Now... I want to flush mount it in the cockpit bulkhead. Should I get the one with an external antenna or will the integrated model work fine in such a pos'n?
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I think you'll be fine with the integral aerial model. I have the SH300i with one connection socket outside on the bulkhead where it's easy to see from the helm and one at the chart table which I use for passage planning. The SH performs equally well at either position (I have a grp boat). I use the 6 pin Buccaneer sockets which allows connection to an SH vhf, a NASA ais, and a Simrad autopilot. All work together as they should. At the bulkhead position I mounted the plotter via the bracket that came with it, I didn't want to cut a big hole in the bulkhead for flush-mounting. If you are going to flush-mount yours here is a link to the 180/180i mounting template which may be useful. http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/files/CP180_180i_CPF180i_2011 up cutting template.pdf
 
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