ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
The lowrance units are good and the gen 2 versions accept AIS input but the earlier versions don't AFAIK so check before you buy as you may want to add AIS sometime in the future.
Which Chart Plotter?
- Thread starter NormanS
- Start date
yachtorion
Well-Known Member
Cheaper Garmin
Any reason you arne't considering the GPSMAP 551? I adore mine, and it's in the same price bracket as the Standard Horizon. You get a whole UK chart thrown in.
Any reason you arne't considering the GPSMAP 551? I adore mine, and it's in the same price bracket as the Standard Horizon. You get a whole UK chart thrown in.
Bav34
...
Just whizzed through the replies and the two significant (to me) points are:
My Garmin 292 is visible in ANY light conditions. It doesn't seem bothered even when the sun is shining directly on it.
I HATE IT
because it always shows my boat centre screen! Total utter waste of half the screen. It's not radar! I don't care what's behind me ... I want to see what's in front.
My Garmin 292 is visible in ANY light conditions. It doesn't seem bothered even when the sun is shining directly on it.
I HATE IT
because it always shows my boat centre screen! Total utter waste of half the screen. It's not radar! I don't care what's behind me ... I want to see what's in front.maby
Well-Known Member
The Lowrance manuals are the company's worst enemy - I think they were probably written by Garmin! In fairness, the HDS series has very substantial functionality and it would be difficult to document it all in a single book. A lot of people come away with the impression that the HDSs do not support AIS, but it is there - described as "Vessels".
doug748
Well-Known Member
.....
I HATE IT
I find the alternative is worse.
In order to figure out what is in front of you, a plotter will use your track over the ground. Great for a power boat going in a straight line, dreadful if you are tacking close inshore. One minute you have a grand view of clear water and the outer suburbs of Bournemouth, next tack, nothing but blue water and a few soundings.
maby
Well-Known Member
...
I HATE IT
Isn't it a configurable option? On the Lowrance you can switch from showing you in the centre of the screen to showing you at the bottom.
Bav34
...
Not sure I get that.
Currently half my screen shows what's behind me. Don't care.
Half shows what is in front of me including to the sides which if I was tacking away from the beach would still show what I would be sailing over if I tacked back.
No?
Never mind.
Last edited:
Bav34
...
No, the only way round it is to keep dragging the cursor to the bottom of the screen.
I have seen the option you mention but as I said its not on my Garmin.
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
I have a cp300... I got it in a package with uk wide charts.. No issues. Very happy.
At the time it was the best value.
At the time it was the best value.
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Thanks to all for your very helpful replies.
The situation has been resolved. No dealer in Scotland was able to show me the Lowrance, so that option was discarded. That left a straight choice between the Garmin, and the SH. On balance, we decided that the Garmin was the winner. In other words, my wife preferred it. We have got a pretty good deal from a local supplier, with the Home Port device thrown in, FOC.
To those who are concerned about water on the screen, let me say that this unit will be installed in the deck saloon, at the inside steering position. We still have a Raymarine A65 at the outside helm, where, incidentally, sunlight viewing has never been a problem, and not just because of a lack of sunshine
The situation has been resolved. No dealer in Scotland was able to show me the Lowrance, so that option was discarded. That left a straight choice between the Garmin, and the SH. On balance, we decided that the Garmin was the winner. In other words, my wife preferred it. We have got a pretty good deal from a local supplier, with the Home Port device thrown in, FOC.
To those who are concerned about water on the screen, let me say that this unit will be installed in the deck saloon, at the inside steering position. We still have a Raymarine A65 at the outside helm, where, incidentally, sunlight viewing has never been a problem, and not just because of a lack of sunshine
maby
Well-Known Member
Thanks to all for your very helpful replies.
The situation has been resolved. No dealer in Scotland was able to show me the Lowrance, so that option was discarded. That left a straight choice between the Garmin, and the SH. On balance, we decided that the Garmin was the winner. In other words, my wife preferred it. We have got a pretty good deal from a local supplier, with the Home Port device thrown in, FOC.
To those who are concerned about water on the screen, let me say that this unit will be installed in the deck saloon, at the inside steering position. We still have a Raymarine A65 at the outside helm, where, incidentally, sunlight viewing has never been a problem, and not just because of a lack of sunshine
If it is going to be mounted out of the weather, I don't think you are making a mistake - thr Garmin UI is good and there are plenty of available accessories.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
I have been using a SH 300i for the last 5 years. I bought it when they first came out; never had any problems.