New GPS
 

Can anyone suggest a GPS Chartplotter that is user friendly. I want one that
is easy to operate and understand.

Thank You,
Al Porreca

How much do you want to spend?

I've found the Garmin's pretty user friendly, but you can spend anywhere from $500 to $2500
on a Garmin chartplotter.

--
Chuck Tribolet

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/triblet

Silicon Valley: STILL the best day job in the world.


"Albert Porreca" wrote in message ...
Can anyone suggest a GPS Chartplotter that is user friendly. I want one that
is easy to operate and understand.

Thank You,
Al Porreca

I second the plug for Garmin. You can get a GPSMAP 76 for about $250 now, the
"S" for $300, the "C" for $400. Since I use the chartplotter to augment paper
charts (rather than the other way around) a handheld is just fine for me.
However, if I got one of the newer large screen color chart plotters, I'd
probably never use paper again!



"Chuck Tribolet" wrote in message
...
How much do you want to spend?

I've found the Garmin's pretty user friendly, but you can spend anywhere from
$500 to $2500
on a Garmin chartplotter.

--
Chuck Tribolet

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/triblet

Silicon Valley: STILL the best day job in the world.


"Albert Porreca" wrote in message
...
Can anyone suggest a GPS Chartplotter that is user friendly. I want one that
is easy to operate and understand.

Thank You,
Al Porreca

Actually, Jeff, I love my Garmin 182 C. I use it all the time to track
speed accurately and to keep on course. It is hardwired on my Regal.

But, I still plot longer trips on charts, always consult charts for
strange waters, plot courses on charts before plugging in waypoints and
during those rare times when things get dicey, you can't beat charts for
giving you the view you want immediately without having to hit the right
buttons (e.g., zoom in and out) at the right time.

So, you are right, while underway you will rarely consult a chart, us
old salts (farts?) are not likely to surrender our paper charts either
for navigation or figuring out how to get out of those dicey times.

harlan

In article ,
"Jeff Morris" wrote:

I second the plug for Garmin. You can get a GPSMAP 76 for about $250 now,
the
"S" for $300, the "C" for $400. Since I use the chartplotter to augment
paper
charts (rather than the other way around) a handheld is just fine for me.
However, if I got one of the newer large screen color chart plotters, I'd
probably never use paper again!



"Chuck Tribolet" wrote in message
...
How much do you want to spend?

I've found the Garmin's pretty user friendly, but you can spend anywhere
from
$500 to $2500
on a Garmin chartplotter.

--
Chuck Tribolet

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/triblet

Silicon Valley: STILL the best day job in the world.


"Albert Porreca" wrote in message
...
Can anyone suggest a GPS Chartplotter that is user friendly. I want one
that
is easy to operate and understand.

Thank You,
Al Porreca





--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

Garmin 182C. Best customer service you'll ever find. Buy them on eBay.

Capt. Jeff

We love our Navman 5600.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Albert Porreca" wrote in message
...
Can anyone suggest a GPS Chartplotter that is user friendly. I want one
that
is easy to operate and understand.

Thank You,
Al Porreca

I have a Garmin 182C and I think its about the best piece of equipment I
have. Very easy to use. Very accurate with the Bluechart chip I have. I
have it mounted at my steering station where I can get constant info on
speed, course, VMG and even tides. A black and white version might be OK
but the colour does help quite a bit.
I think Garmin is generally considered to have very user friendly operating
systems.

"Albert Porreca" wrote in message
...
Can anyone suggest a GPS Chartplotter that is user friendly. I want one
that
is easy to operate and understand.

Thank You,
Al Porreca

Love Garmin.

I have the 162 and I paid around $200 for it. VERY easy to use.
I have been so impressed with Garmin, I bought their FishFinder 120.

Albert Porreca wrote:
Can anyone suggest a GPS Chartplotter that is user friendly. I want one that
is easy to operate and understand.

Thank You,
Al Porreca

Northstar.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Northstar.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"


Junk.
Go Garmin, who sets the pace for marine units.

RB

Second the 182C. Bought mine new through ebay for tremendous discount and
have had great luck with it. One comment - go color.
T

"Tamaroak" wrote in message
...
Garmin 182C. Best customer service you'll ever find. Buy them on eBay.

Capt. Jeff

Bobsprit wrote:

Northstar.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"


Junk.
Go Garmin, who sets the pace for marine units.

RB

Northstar is junk? Let me guess, you own a Garmin and have never used a
Northstar, right?

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jacker at midmaine dot com

I find the Navman as easy to use as the Gamin.

Doug
s/v CAllista

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Northstar.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"


Junk.
Go Garmin, who sets the pace for marine units.

RB

Northstar is junk? Let me guess, you own a Garmin and have never used a
Northstar, right?


Wrong! Here's a review:

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Northstar...splay_~reviews

Meanwhile, my buddy's P39 had a color version with a screen that lost pixles.
ZERO support from company.
Always buy products with good support.

RB

Your epinions link is a data point of one. That's not very
compelling.

I have a 951 and 6000i. Both work flawlessly. I have spoken with
customer support re. upgrades, and they have been very responsive.

Do a little more homework before you bash a company.


(Bobsprit) wrote in message ...
Northstar is junk? Let me guess, you own a Garmin and have never used a
Northstar, right?


Wrong! Here's a review:

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Northstar...splay_~reviews

Meanwhile, my buddy's P39 had a color version with a screen that lost pixles.
ZERO support from company.
Always buy products with good support.

RB

Do you have any timeline on the Garmin Radar/XM radio link?
I am aware in their avionics products line that the XM link is used to
display radar NexRad info about every 5 mins. Also, Jeppesen, a major
aviation navigation charting firm, is supposedly going to market a predicted
radar display along route of travel for up to 4 hours in advance. Probably
won't migrate to the boating community very soon, if ever.
Doug K7ABX


"WaIIy" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 21:58:02 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

I find the Navman as easy to use as the Gamin.

Doug
s/v CAllista

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Northstar.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"


Junk.
Go Garmin, who sets the pace for marine units.

RB


I was considering the Navman before I purchased my Garmin 182C. The
Garmin charts seemed a bit better and the display is certainly better.

I was wondering what Brunswick was going to do with Navman since they
now own the company. Perhaps "SeaRay" brand navigation equipment
instead of RayMarine in their boats.

BTW, Garmin is coming out with Radar and an XM or similar radio function
that will be able to show weather maps right on the chartplotter.

This sounds very interesting.

Bobsprit wrote:

Northstar is junk? Let me guess, you own a Garmin and have never used a
Northstar, right?


Wrong! Here's a review:

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Northstar...splay_~reviews

Meanwhile, my buddy's P39 had a color version with a screen that lost pixles.
ZERO support from company.
Always buy products with good support.

I've made two delivery trips (two days on the water for each) between
Maine and the Cape Cod area using Northstars and never saw one fog up.

In fact, I have never had a single complaint or problem in using them
and have not heard anyone else mention the fogging issue or complain
about anything else.

If you buddy mailed his warranty card and was still in the two year
window, Northstar would have worked on it for him. That requires the
unit to be sent in to them (in Acton, Mass., also quite close to that
purportedly troublesome Cape Cod Bay area). Their service center has a
good reputation for both professionalism and turnaround.

I know for a fact that Northstar (and Garmin too) consider bad pixels to
be covered under their two year warranties.

All in all, I don't find all the specifics in that review to be
believable.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jacker at midmaine dot com

WaIIy wrote:

snip
BTW, Garmin is coming out with Radar and an XM or similar radio function
that will be able to show weather maps right on the chartplotter.

This sounds very interesting.


Yep,

Some details are here http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap3006c/
and here http://www.garmin.com/marinenetworking/.

I love looking at the electronic toys, and these look like nice ones.

I am wondering about their "proprietary ethernet-based network" though.
It seems like being able to have a PC on that network too would be a
nice to have feature and I don't see one there yet. PC's in one form or
another are more common on boats all the time.

Both Furuno and Raymarine networks will include a PC, I'm thinking
Garmin will get one into the picture eventually. Or did I miss it already?

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jacker at midmaine dot com

Readers should be aware that "Bobsprit" better known on other newsgroups as
"The Boob", "Boobsprit" and "Boob****" among other "handles knows nothing about
boats or boating equipment. The Boob's boat is old and loaded with antiquated
equipment therefore he spends his lonely days and nights attempting to bash
other people stuff.
Most consider Northstar chartplotters as the standard all others are compared
to.
I've owned a 951XD and now own a 952XDW and I've never experienced any type
of fogging. The units are waterproof!


S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Doesn't Garmin use CMAP cartridges?

Doug
s/v Callista

"WaIIy" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 21:58:02 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

I find the Navman as easy to use as the Gamin.

Doug
s/v CAllista

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Northstar.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"


Junk.
Go Garmin, who sets the pace for marine units.

RB


I was considering the Navman before I purchased my Garmin 182C. The
Garmin charts seemed a bit better and the display is certainly better.

I was wondering what Brunswick was going to do with Navman since they
now own the company. Perhaps "SeaRay" brand navigation equipment
instead of RayMarine in their boats.

BTW, Garmin is coming out with Radar and an XM or similar radio function
that will be able to show weather maps right on the chartplotter.

This sounds very interesting.

Most consider Northstar chartplotters as the standard all others are compared
to.
I've owned a 951XD and now own a 952XDW and I've never experienced any type
of fogging. The units are waterproof!

Right, Loco. So that guy is lying and so am I, right?
Garmin leads the industry for a reason. Failures are rare and service is
fantastic. I'm glad that you enjoy your units, but you don't do more than
daysail by your own admission. You're not qualified to comment. Besides the
Radar, all my gear is newer than yours by a mile.
There is just no group you won't troll in, Loco. Now you can have the last
word, dumbass. Proof that you are the ultimate PIA troll. Go for it!

RB

Garmin products do not accept C-MAP electronic charts. The following
link will show which OEM's accept our charts.

http://www.c-map.com/OEMs/OEMList.AS...tterStatusID=1

J. McQuade
C-MAP/USA

Doug Dotson wrote:
Doesn't Garmin use CMAP cartridges?

Doug
s/v Callista

They do not. They use only Garmin proprietary chips.

Garmin is discontinuing support for their original "G-Chart" chips later
this year. They will not sell any more new G-Chart chips, will not
update the data on the old ones, and as far as I know that puts that
chip dead in the water as far as any further updates.

All their newer stuff uses a slightly less proprietary, similar
appearing (but not interchangeable) storage media called a "Blue Chart
Data Card". The Data Cards are available in a range of sizes (8 to
256MB?).

You can buy pre-programmed data cards by area or region. Or you can buy
a Blue Chart CD-ROM with most or all of the world on it and pay to
unlock regions as you go.

Once a region is unlocked, you can use a USB data card programmer (also
sold by Garmin) on a PC to burn the charting data to a Data Card and use
it in your Garmin chart plotter.

The blank data cards and USB port programmers are fairly available at
prices less than Garmin charges, I would shop online or on eBay for them
before I bought them from Garmin.

Once you unlock a region, you can manipulate the the data to your hearts
content on any PC with CD-ROM drive. There is software on the CD for
doing that. Anything copied to a data card is tied to your specific
chart plotter by serial number or something in hardware in the plotter
unit and that data card will not work in any other, otherwise
compatible, chart plotter. That dispels any notions of sharing chart
data with friends and the like.

The Blue Chart and data card thing is attractive to me in that you can
work all your trip planning, routing, waypoints, and stuff out on a PC,
burn your own chart chip (including backup copies if you want), and take
them to the boat if you are not already on it.

I don't think there is a great cost advantage in buying Garmin's
cartography and am not sure if it holds it own with the older, long
established, charting folks (C-Map, Nobletech, etc.) or not. I have not
used a Garmin chart plotter yet or had hands on one for any reason. But
I'd be surprised to find that Garmin is not doing a good job on it, it
looks like they are doing a good job of pursuing a bigger share of the
market.

It would be good for boaters if there was only one major chart chip used
by most of the chart plotters and the competition was in selling data
CD's and the cost of unlocking needed regions.

As it is now, a few companies have the boaters over a barrel on chart
chips to some extent. What chart chips you already have can often force
the decision on which chart plotter you buy next.

I am not advocating anyone or anything here, just talking about it. And
I might have some of the specifics a little garbled too, I'm not too
deeply immersed in all this.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jacker at midmaine dot com

Right, Loco. So that guy is lying and so am I, right?

Yes you are. I don't know about the other guy.

Garmin leads the industry for a reason.

And the reason is they make $99 handhelds that are sold at Best Buy. Garmin
makes good units but they don't compare with Northstar. Garmin leads in sales
$ only.

I'm glad that you enjoy your units, but you don't do more than
daysail by your own admission. You're not qualified to comment.

LOL............... So many years of using a GPS for racing don't count? I
also own a Garmin handheld and a Micrologic handheld. I think I'm qualified to
comment on the Northstar. According to you one has to sleep aboard to be
qualified to use a GPS .... is that right.
As always, GO AWAY, YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BOATS.


S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Hi, Jack...
In all honesty I have heard of these units having problems. I work for a yard
that does a lot of installs. Garmin is prefered by many. I know Northstar
markets as a premium brand, but I have heard more than a few problems, fogging
being a primary factor.
Nutjobs like Loco can believe that the products they've chosen are "best" but
that's the opinion of an individual. I'll stick with Garmin.

What a line of bull. Works in a boatyard? Doing what? Tell us. On other
newsgroups the Boobster claims to be a wedding photographer, an ebay tycoon, a
boat broaker, anything but a real job.
I guess every defective Northstar shows up at the skanky marina in N.Y. that
the Boob hangs out at.
Most people buy Garmin because of the overwhelming amount of advertising and
promotion that the company and their dealers do. They make good units and
offer a big selection. They have great factory support. But a Northstar they
ain't.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Just thought I'd mention that you can send in your BlueChart chips to Garmin
for an updated version. They charge half the price of a new chip on an
exchange basis, that is, $150US versus $300US. I was told they update every
6 months although I don't suppose this would apply to every chip. You need
to call them to get an RMA. As for detail and accuracy, I don't see how you
could get much better than what is shown by these chips (for the areas they
cover in detail).

"Jack Erbes" wrote in message
...
Doug Dotson wrote:
Doesn't Garmin use CMAP cartridges?

Doug
s/v Callista

They do not. They use only Garmin proprietary chips.

Garmin is discontinuing support for their original "G-Chart" chips later
this year. They will not sell any more new G-Chart chips, will not
update the data on the old ones, and as far as I know that puts that
chip dead in the water as far as any further updates.

All their newer stuff uses a slightly less proprietary, similar
appearing (but not interchangeable) storage media called a "Blue Chart
Data Card". The Data Cards are available in a range of sizes (8 to
256MB?).

You can buy pre-programmed data cards by area or region. Or you can buy
a Blue Chart CD-ROM with most or all of the world on it and pay to
unlock regions as you go.

Once a region is unlocked, you can use a USB data card programmer (also
sold by Garmin) on a PC to burn the charting data to a Data Card and use
it in your Garmin chart plotter.

The blank data cards and USB port programmers are fairly available at
prices less than Garmin charges, I would shop online or on eBay for them
before I bought them from Garmin.

Once you unlock a region, you can manipulate the the data to your hearts
content on any PC with CD-ROM drive. There is software on the CD for
doing that. Anything copied to a data card is tied to your specific
chart plotter by serial number or something in hardware in the plotter
unit and that data card will not work in any other, otherwise
compatible, chart plotter. That dispels any notions of sharing chart
data with friends and the like.

The Blue Chart and data card thing is attractive to me in that you can
work all your trip planning, routing, waypoints, and stuff out on a PC,
burn your own chart chip (including backup copies if you want), and take
them to the boat if you are not already on it.

I don't think there is a great cost advantage in buying Garmin's
cartography and am not sure if it holds it own with the older, long
established, charting folks (C-Map, Nobletech, etc.) or not. I have not
used a Garmin chart plotter yet or had hands on one for any reason. But
I'd be surprised to find that Garmin is not doing a good job on it, it
looks like they are doing a good job of pursuing a bigger share of the
market.

It would be good for boaters if there was only one major chart chip used
by most of the chart plotters and the competition was in selling data
CD's and the cost of unlocking needed regions.

As it is now, a few companies have the boaters over a barrel on chart
chips to some extent. What chart chips you already have can often force
the decision on which chart plotter you buy next.

I am not advocating anyone or anything here, just talking about it. And
I might have some of the specifics a little garbled too, I'm not too
deeply immersed in all this.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jacker at midmaine dot com

Actually, many people buy a Garmin specifically so they can use the
superior Garmin Charts. And I'm very glad "a Northstar they ain't".

So what do you consider Navionics? Inferior? Why would so many professionals
use Navionics?
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Just thought I'd mention that you can send in your BlueChart chips to Garmin
for an updated version. They charge half the price of a new chip on an
exchange basis,

Navionics provides the same service and they also go one better. Most
Navionics dealers have the equipment and authorization to update your chart and
you don't have to send it away.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Actually, many people buy a Garmin specifically so they can use the
superior Garmin Charts. And I'm very glad "a Northstar they ain't".


Bill, let him rant. He'll troll anywhere. Now he's furious that I hurt his GPS'
feelings. What a nutjob.
By the way, I'm about to pick up a 276c from Garmin. My friend has one aboard
the Tayana 48 and it's a stunning (if somewhat large) unit that works great as
a handheld. This is to replace the smaller GPSMAP 76 that was stolen. Thank god
for insurance!

RB

The Garmin BlueCharts are superior to the competition. I have yet to see a
GPS/chartplotter review where Garmin charts were anywhere but number ONE.

I think you should read a few more reviews. Navionics produces raster charts
which are considered the most accurate and the ones reviewers and everyone else
considers the best electronic charts. Garmin ain't doing raster charts.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

,,,,Bill, let him rant. He'll troll anywhere. Now he's furious that I hurt
his GPS' feelings. What a nutjob.

Boob, don't flatter yourself. You couldn't hurt my feelings about anything
boat related. You only supply me with laughs.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

By the way, I'm about to pick up a 276c from Garmin

Cute little unit. You wouldn't want to spend more for your old boat.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

You can go to any West Marine (there are a LOT more West Marines than
Navionics
dealers) and they can program your Blue Chart chip on site, too. You lose
AGAIN!!!!

Since West Marine is an authorized Navionics dealer how do I loose? If they
are now doing Blue Charts that's great. You win. What are you 9 years old?
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

You are 9 years old.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

This is total nonsense. Do you even understand the difference between Raster
and Vector? The current Navionics marketing claim is that their charts "have
the appearance" of raster charts, not that they are raster charts.



"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message
...
The Garmin BlueCharts are superior to the competition. I have yet to see a
GPS/chartplotter review where Garmin charts were anywhere but number ONE.

I think you should read a few more reviews. Navionics produces raster charts
which are considered the most accurate and the ones reviewers and everyone
else
considers the best electronic charts. Garmin ain't doing raster charts.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

This is total nonsense. Do you even understand the difference between Raster
and Vector? The current Navionics marketing claim is that their charts "have
the appearance" of raster charts, not that they are raster charts.

Loco loses again. It's sad, really.

On 17 Sep 2004 19:38:22 GMT, (SAIL LOCO) wrote:

Actually, many people buy a Garmin specifically so they can use the
superior Garmin Charts. And I'm very glad "a Northstar they ain't".

So what do you consider Navionics? Inferior? Why would so many professionals
use Navionics?
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"
Having used Blue Charts, C-Maps and Navionics I much prefer Navionics.
Rick Itenson
Breathless
Toronto

"Rick Itenson" wrote in message
...
On 17 Sep 2004 19:38:22 GMT, (SAIL LOCO) wrote:

Actually, many people buy a Garmin specifically so they can use the
superior Garmin Charts. And I'm very glad "a Northstar they ain't".

So what do you consider Navionics? Inferior? Why would so many
professionals
use Navionics?
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"
Having used Blue Charts, C-Maps and Navionics I much prefer Navionics.
Rick Itenson
Breathless
Toronto

I would proceed with caution using any of the "superior" Garmin charts. Just
in our local waters we have found several errors that will cost you dearly
if you don't test the waters before you trust their charts.

Andy K. wrote:

snip

I would proceed with caution using any of the "superior" Garmin charts. Just
in our local waters we have found several errors that will cost you dearly
if you don't test the waters before you trust their charts.


Were the errors unique to the Garmin chart chip or was the same error
found on a USGS or NOAA paper chart?

I think all the companies making chart chips for U.S. waters start with
the same data (from USGS or NOAA sources) and then they make vector or
raster charts based on that data. So if you find errors on a chart chip
and can look at the chart it was based on, you may see the error there too.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jacker at midmaine dot com

"Jack Erbes" wrote in message
...
Andy K. wrote:

snip

I would proceed with caution using any of the "superior" Garmin charts.
Just
in our local waters we have found several errors that will cost you
dearly
if you don't test the waters before you trust their charts.


Were the errors unique to the Garmin chart chip or was the same error
found on a USGS or NOAA paper chart?

I think all the companies making chart chips for U.S. waters start with
the same data (from USGS or NOAA sources) and then they make vector or
raster charts based on that data. So if you find errors on a chart chip
and can look at the chart it was based on, you may see the error there
too.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jacker at midmaine dot com

The errors that were found involve markers in the channel leading through
the bayou where I work. it is possible that the markers were replaced after
hurricane Opal in '95. We don't use the chart chips to navigate because we
have extensive knowledge of the local waters and can run using visual cues
or radar.

I have never checked the marker positions against those on the current
charts and would not be surprised if they were off.

Chart plotters and chips are fine, but we never use them as a primary means
of navigating any boat we crew. Our captains will use a combination Nobeltec
software along with paper charts during most trips.

I'm not out to slam Garmin or anyone else as I have a bunch of their
equipment installed on our boats and boats belonging to our customers. All I
can say is don't let the electronics do all the thinking for you.