T&T: GPS/Chartplotter recommendation needed

[Robert Deering]

Ed,

I have a Garmin 5212 system on my new boat and I couldn't be happier with
it.  The touch screen feature is especially intuitive and fast.

The networking feature is very valuable as well.  I installed a 'navigator'
station on my boat - another networked chartplotter in front of the
passenger's seat in the pilothouse.  During the delivery run of my boat from
WA to AK I was running in some unfamiliar waters.  My wife plotted routes on
the fly while I concentrated on driving - it worked great!  And she was a
full participant in the trip, and could see exactly where we were and was
able to scan ahead to scout passages and possible anchorages.  There are a
bunch of other nifty features, and the NMEA 2000 interface allows you to tie
lots of other stuff into them - for instance, I can get a full readout of my
engine displays onscreen - nice if you have a fly bridge or aft steering
station like I do.

I looked at all of the major brands at the Seattle Boat show and chose
Garmin because of its intuitive interface.  None of the other ones had a
touch screen at that time.  I don't regret the choice a bit, though I'm sure
the other manufacturers have come out with a similar feature by now.

I forget the exact pricing, bought this stuff almost two years ago, and it
was bundled with a bunch of electronics, but it was steeply discounted off
of the list price.  In the current economy I'll bet the discounts are even
better.  I found the best price at Boater's World of all places - I worked
the boat show vendors pretty hard.

Bob Deering
Juneau, Alaska  


On 6/1/09 5:14 AM, "'Ed Savela'" <esavela at charter.net> wrote:

> Just bought a new/used boat and need to install a GPS/Chartplotter.  I
> intend to use the boat for the inland rivers and the Gulf of Mexico
> inter-coastal but want flexibility.  And, yes, I want a big colorful flashy
> screen.  It will be on a well protected fly bridge.
> 
>  
> 
> I really don't want to use a PC based systems and would rather have a plug
> and play unit.  Must have big screen-eyesight not what it use to be.  Is
> radar worth adding if you're not going in blue water?
> 
>  
> 
> How much should I expect to pay for turn key; installed?
> 
>  
> 
> Any recommendations?  If you buy from West Marine will they install even if
> it's 100 miles plus from their nearest store?
> 
>  
> 
> I know it's a broad request but any help appreciated.
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Edward S. Savela
> 
> Tennessee River
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