On Apr 22, 6:59*pm, "RG" wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message

...









I'm thinking on the idea of ditching the harts and going with a
Garmin.

I'm think of going with something like this...

I don't really feel like spending huge dollars and this would be about
my limit, I Don't know anything about them, does this seem like a good
model? and are the charts automatically renewable, or do you have to
buy an update?

BTW, This 2owuld be used for running on the Ohio, Tennessee, and
Cumberland rivers, including lake Barclay and Ky. Lakes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Rebate-G...PS-Chartplotte...

Thanks!

Tim, I can speak to you with experience regarding this unit. *You're on the
right track with this unit, but not quite there. *I've had two units of this
series. *I had the GPSMAP 430 on my previous boat and have the GPSMAP 431 on
my current boat. *Both of these units have similar features and the same
screen as the unit on eBay. *Both units have performed flawlessly for me.
In fact, I was so pleased with the 430 unit which I let go with the previous
boat, that I bought the current replacement (431) for the boat I purchased
last year. *There are a few problems with the specific unit you're
considering on eBay. *First, the "s" at the end of the model indicates that
it is capable of being used with a Garmin transducer to use the display as a
fishfinder/sounder as well as a chartplotter. *The problem is that this is
the version of the 421s that doesn't include the transducer. *If you want to
use the unit with as a fishfinder/sounder you'll have to shell out
additional bucks for a Garmin transducer. *The next problem is with the maps
installed in the 421 units. *The basemap on the 421 units is a very crude
set of satellite images. *What you really want is the inland waters basemap,
which is included on the 430/431 units. *Both the 421 and the 430/431 units
also allow you to purchase upgraded maps on SD cards, but the 430/431 units
have the inland waters basemap already included. *Finally, this guy's
pricing is no great deal. *He's offering the 421s unit with no transducer
and no inland maps for $416. *As a comparison, Amazon has the same unit for
$353. *Here are some current prices at Amazon for comparable units:

421s WITHOUT transducer: *$353
421s WITH transducer: *$443
431s WITH transducer: *$443
431 chartplotter only, no fishfinder/sounder function: *$401

The real question is whether you want the unit to have fishfinder/sounder
capability. *If you currently don't have a depthfinder or fishfinder on your
boat, the 421s/431s would be one way to incorporate this function. *If you
already have a depthfinder or fishfinder on your boat, then there's probably
no reason to buy one of the "s" models. *The downside of the "s" models is
that it splits the screen between the two functions, and the screen isn't
that large to begin with. *Also, you get the fun job of installing a
transducer. *In my case, since both of my last boats had a digital
depthfinder already installed, I didn't have a need for the sounder function
in the Garmin unit. *So I went with the 430 in 2009 and the 431 in 2011..
The 430 is a discontinued product, replaced by the 431, which has a few
minor enhancements to it. *I can tell you that the color display on those
units is very readable in direct sunlight. *Also, I can tell you that the
NMEA output works well. *I have my 431 reporting position to my RayMarine
DSC VHF radio, and it also reports position, speed and other telemetry to my
Mercury SmartCraft gauges. *The 431 series is a very nice compact unit that
allows the updating of maps and unit firmware via its SD card slot. *My
personal recommendation is for 431s if you need or want the sounder
function, and the 431 if you don't. *I used Amazon as an easy source for
pricing data, but a search of the web might yield better pricing. *I find
Amazon is usually very competitive with about everything they offer, and
they are super easy to work with. *Garmin's website is a good resource for
comparing their units.

Russ

Thanks a lot Russ. That was fairly comprehensive.... I'm really only
interested in the chat plotter. I really don't need the fish or depth
finder. And that link I thew up there was only for reference. I know
there's other places to look s well.

I'd thought of a small hand held, but then again, I really don't know
if that would really suit the need.

This has been enlightening. I wish they sold a program that you could
down load charts to an automotive Garmin. That would be cool!

On Apr 22, 4:56*pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:18:15 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:









I'm thinking on the idea of ditching the harts and going with a
Garmin.

I'm think of going with something like this...

I don't really feel like spending huge dollars and this would be about
my limit, I Don't know anything about them, does this seem like a good
model? and are the charts automatically renewable, or do you have to
buy an update?

BTW, This 2owuld be used for running on the Ohio, Tennessee, and
Cumberland rivers, including lake Barclay and Ky. Lakes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Rebate-G...PS-Chartplotte...

Thanks!

===

I'm not familiar with that particular model of Garmin chart plotter
but most Garmin products rank fairly well for ease of use. * The
downside is that you need to buy one or more Garmin chart chips, and
before you do that, you should check to make sure they have chips for
your area. *That particular model uses something called BlueChart® g2
Vision cards that I am not familiar with.

If you already have a laptop computer you may not need anything but a
small handheld GPS for backup and use in a dinghy. * With the addition
of a $30 USB GPS, an inexpensive inverter, a free software download,
and free chart downloads, you are on the air with a full featured
navigation package with route planning, waypoint setting, track
plotting, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver/dp/B00...

http://opencpn.org/ocpn/

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download_agreement.htm

There are other Garmins that you might consider. *Here's an EBAY
listing for a used 192C which is an older unit but has good features:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GPSMAP-192C-GPS-Receiver-/160785717540...

It uses chart chips that cost about $100 or so. * You should check on
chart availability for your area before buying any plotter.

Wayne I see what you're talking about using the cheap laptop etc.
That might work...

On Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:21:33 -0400, wrote:

I don't think I would go the "computer" route, since it requires an
inverter and a Rube Goldberg setup and still doesn't give you anything

===

There's nothing Rube Goldberg about it. A lot of people are doing it
either on laptops or tablets. I've been navigating that way for
close to 20 years and tens of thousands of miles. The user interface
for route planning on a PC is much more user friendly than any
dedicated chart plotter that I've ever seen. Since the software and
charts are free you can do all of your trip planning in advance on
your desktop computer. Routes transfer easily from one computer to
another, and in some cases to your chart plotter also.

Thanks a lot Russ. That was fairly comprehensive.... I'm really only
interested in the chat plotter. I really don't need the fish or depth
finder. And that link I thew up there was only for reference. I know
there's other places to look s well.

I'd thought of a small hand held, but then again, I really don't know
if that would really suit the need.

This has been enlightening. I wish they sold a program that you could
down load charts to an automotive Garmin. That would be cool!
__________________________________________________ __

Here's my thoughts, Tim. Since you don't need the fishfinder/sounder
function (I didn't either), I'd recommend the GPSMAP 431. It's the unit I
have on my boat, and I couldn't be more happy with it. If you could find a
GPSMAP 430 (discontinued), that would work just as well. I don't think the
laptop scenario would be appropriate for a boat your size. There's probably
not enough room to mount a laptop at your helm without obstructing your
view. A laptop wouldn't take kindly to the pounding that a small powerboat
can deliver. Also, I've never owned a laptop that was easy to read in
direct sunlight. On a larger boat like Wayne's with a pilot house, it could
be a good solution, but not for a smaller power boat like what we have
(mine's a 28 footer). I wouldn't recommend a hand-held unit for just the
opposite reason. You'd need to purchase a mount to keep the thing from
bouncing all over the place, and even mounted, the screen would be too small
to be of value while running down the lake at 30+ mph and trying to keep
your eyes on traffic. The 400 series units from Garmin split the difference
between a too-large and cumbersome laptop and a too-small handheld unit.
The 430/431 comes already loaded with inland waters charts and charts can be
upgraded and updated via SD cards. The 400 series comes with an internal
antenna so installation is super simple. Let me know if you have any
specific questions regarding the 430/431.

Russ

On 4/23/2012 8:12 PM, Tim wrote:
On Apr 22, 4:56 pm, wrote:
On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:18:15 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:









I'm thinking on the idea of ditching the harts and going with a
Garmin.

I'm think of going with something like this...

I don't really feel like spending huge dollars and this would be about
my limit, I Don't know anything about them, does this seem like a good
model? and are the charts automatically renewable, or do you have to
buy an update?

BTW, This 2owuld be used for running on the Ohio, Tennessee, and
Cumberland rivers, including lake Barclay and Ky. Lakes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Rebate-G...PS-Chartplotte...

Thanks!

===

I'm not familiar with that particular model of Garmin chart plotter
but most Garmin products rank fairly well for ease of use. The
downside is that you need to buy one or more Garmin chart chips, and
before you do that, you should check to make sure they have chips for
your area. That particular model uses something called BlueChart® g2
Vision cards that I am not familiar with.

If you already have a laptop computer you may not need anything but a
small handheld GPS for backup and use in a dinghy. With the addition
of a $30 USB GPS, an inexpensive inverter, a free software download,
and free chart downloads, you are on the air with a full featured
navigation package with route planning, waypoint setting, track
plotting, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver/dp/B00...

http://opencpn.org/ocpn/

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download_agreement.htm

There are other Garmins that you might consider. Here's an EBAY
listing for a used 192C which is an older unit but has good features:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GPSMAP-192C-GPS-Receiver-/160785717540...

It uses chart chips that cost about $100 or so. You should check on
chart availability for your area before buying any plotter.

Wayne I see what you're talking about using the cheap laptop etc.
That might work...

Well Tim... I can't see any reason not to do exactly as Wayne suggests.
Who here has tested the process more after all?

On 4/23/2012 5:32 PM, RG wrote:
__________________________________________________ __

Here's my thoughts, Tim. Since you don't need the fishfinder/sounder
function (I didn't either), I'd recommend the GPSMAP 431. It's the unit I
have on my boat, and I couldn't be more happy with it. If you could find a
GPSMAP 430 (discontinued), that would work just as well. I don't think the
laptop scenario would be appropriate for a boat your size. There's probably
not enough room to mount a laptop at your helm without obstructing your
view. A laptop wouldn't take kindly to the pounding that a small powerboat
can deliver. Also, I've never owned a laptop that was easy to read in
direct sunlight. On a larger boat like Wayne's with a pilot house, it could
be a good solution, but not for a smaller power boat like what we have
(mine's a 28 footer). I wouldn't recommend a hand-held unit for just the
opposite reason. You'd need to purchase a mount to keep the thing from
bouncing all over the place, and even mounted, the screen would be too small
to be of value while running down the lake at 30+ mph and trying to keep
your eyes on traffic. The 400 series units from Garmin split the difference
between a too-large and cumbersome laptop and a too-small handheld unit.
The 430/431 comes already loaded with inland waters charts and charts can be
upgraded and updated via SD cards. The 400 series comes with an internal
antenna so installation is super simple. Let me know if you have any
specific questions regarding the 430/431.

Russ

I concur with Russ on having a rugged hard mounted screen at the helm
that is big enough but not too big. I've had a Garmin GPSMAP 168
sounder for the last 12 years and it's been good. The only problem is
that the tide tables quit working a few years ago, probably due to the
age of the internal data base. Having a second depth sounder that is
viewed from the helm is handy as my other one is mounted near the stern.
Don't worry about using half the screen for depth, it can be set to
use the whole screen for either function.

On Apr 23, 8:57*pm, JustWait wrote:
On 4/23/2012 8:12 PM, Tim wrote:









On Apr 22, 4:56 pm, *wrote:
On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:18:15 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

I'm thinking on the idea of ditching the harts and going with a
Garmin.

I'm think of going with something like this...

I don't really feel like spending huge dollars and this would be about
my limit, I Don't know anything about them, does this seem like a good
model? and are the charts automatically renewable, or do you have to
buy an update?

BTW, This 2owuld be used for running on the Ohio, Tennessee, and
Cumberland rivers, including lake Barclay and Ky. Lakes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Rebate-G...PS-Chartplotte....

Thanks!

===

I'm not familiar with that particular model of Garmin chart plotter
but most Garmin products rank fairly well for ease of use. * The
downside is that you need to buy one or more Garmin chart chips, and
before you do that, you should check to make sure they have chips for
your area. *That particular model uses something called BlueChart® g2
Vision cards that I am not familiar with.

If you already have a laptop computer you may not need anything but a
small handheld GPS for backup and use in a dinghy. * With the addition
of a $30 USB GPS, an inexpensive inverter, a free software download,
and free chart downloads, you are on the air with a full featured
navigation package with route planning, waypoint setting, track
plotting, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver/dp/B00....

http://opencpn.org/ocpn/

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download_agreement.htm

There are other Garmins that you might consider. *Here's an EBAY
listing for a used 192C which is an older unit but has good features:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GPSMAP-192C-GPS-Receiver-/160785717540....

It uses chart chips that cost about $100 or so. * You should check on
chart availability for your area before buying any plotter.

Wayne I see what you're talking about using the cheap laptop etc.
That might work...

Well Tim... I can't see any reason not to do exactly as Wayne suggests.
Who here has tested the process more after all?

Scott. Russ and Wayne bring some really valid points, though...
still watching.

On 4/23/2012 11:12 PM, Tim wrote:
On Apr 23, 8:57 pm, wrote:
On 4/23/2012 8:12 PM, Tim wrote:









On Apr 22, 4:56 pm, wrote:
On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:18:15 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

I'm thinking on the idea of ditching the harts and going with a
Garmin.

I'm think of going with something like this...

I don't really feel like spending huge dollars and this would be about
my limit, I Don't know anything about them, does this seem like a good
model? and are the charts automatically renewable, or do you have to
buy an update?

BTW, This 2owuld be used for running on the Ohio, Tennessee, and
Cumberland rivers, including lake Barclay and Ky. Lakes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Rebate-G...PS-Chartplotte...

Thanks!

===

I'm not familiar with that particular model of Garmin chart plotter
but most Garmin products rank fairly well for ease of use. The
downside is that you need to buy one or more Garmin chart chips, and
before you do that, you should check to make sure they have chips for
your area. That particular model uses something called BlueChart® g2
Vision cards that I am not familiar with.

If you already have a laptop computer you may not need anything but a
small handheld GPS for backup and use in a dinghy. With the addition
of a $30 USB GPS, an inexpensive inverter, a free software download,
and free chart downloads, you are on the air with a full featured
navigation package with route planning, waypoint setting, track
plotting, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver/dp/B00...

http://opencpn.org/ocpn/

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download_agreement.htm

There are other Garmins that you might consider. Here's an EBAY
listing for a used 192C which is an older unit but has good features:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GPSMAP-192C-GPS-Receiver-/160785717540...

It uses chart chips that cost about $100 or so. You should check on
chart availability for your area before buying any plotter.

Wayne I see what you're talking about using the cheap laptop etc.
That might work...

Well Tim... I can't see any reason not to do exactly as Wayne suggests.
Who here has tested the process more after all?

Scott. Russ and Wayne bring some really valid points, though...
still watching.

Yeah, I missed Russ's post... Sorry to Russ

In article ,
says...

On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:30:51 -0400, BAR wrote:

In article ,
says...

On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:18:15 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

I'm thinking on the idea of ditching the harts and going with a
Garmin.

I'm think of going with something like this...

I don't really feel like spending huge dollars and this would be about
my limit, I Don't know anything about them, does this seem like a good
model? and are the charts automatically renewable, or do you have to
buy an update?

BTW, This 2owuld be used for running on the Ohio, Tennessee, and
Cumberland rivers, including lake Barclay and Ky. Lakes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Rebate-G...item231b9453ab

Thanks!

===

I'm not familiar with that particular model of Garmin chart plotter
but most Garmin products rank fairly well for ease of use. The
downside is that you need to buy one or more Garmin chart chips, and
before you do that, you should check to make sure they have chips for
your area. That particular model uses something called BlueChart® g2
Vision cards that I am not familiar with.

If you already have a laptop computer you may not need anything but a
small handheld GPS for backup and use in a dinghy. With the addition
of a $30 USB GPS, an inexpensive inverter, a free software download,
and free chart downloads, you are on the air with a full featured
navigation package with route planning, waypoint setting, track
plotting, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver/dp/B000PKX2KA

http://opencpn.org/ocpn/

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download_agreement.htm

There are other Garmins that you might consider. Here's an EBAY
listing for a used 192C which is an older unit but has good features:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GPSMAP-192C-GPS-Receiver-/160785717540?pt=GPS_Devices&hash=item256f935924

It uses chart chips that cost about $100 or so. You should check on
chart availability for your area before buying any plotter.

Looks like a nice little unit. But, you can purchase it from Garmin for
$499.99

No. It RETAILS for only $439.99, but that assumes you caught the "no
transponder" note, which I am guessing is the hook.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=150&pID=28746

Part Number: 010-00764-01
Suggested Retail Price: $ 499.99 USD

You must have missed the part where I said "...you can purchase it from
Garmin for $499.99"

I don't think I would go the "computer" route, since it requires an
inverter and a Rube Goldberg setup and still doesn't give you anything
but GPS. You can do GPS (only) for a LOT less and carry it with you
off the boat with street map capability.

The computer route would be ok if you kept it inside the cabin and you
had an SSD instead of spinning media.

On 4/24/12 6:15 PM, BAR wrote:
In ,
says...

On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:30:51 -0400, wrote:

In ,
says...

On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:18:15 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

I'm thinking on the idea of ditching the harts and going with a
Garmin.

I'm think of going with something like this...

I don't really feel like spending huge dollars and this would be about
my limit, I Don't know anything about them, does this seem like a good
model? and are the charts automatically renewable, or do you have to
buy an update?

BTW, This 2owuld be used for running on the Ohio, Tennessee, and
Cumberland rivers, including lake Barclay and Ky. Lakes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Rebate-G...item231b9453ab

Thanks!

===

I'm not familiar with that particular model of Garmin chart plotter
but most Garmin products rank fairly well for ease of use. The
downside is that you need to buy one or more Garmin chart chips, and
before you do that, you should check to make sure they have chips for
your area. That particular model uses something called BlueChart® g2
Vision cards that I am not familiar with.

If you already have a laptop computer you may not need anything but a
small handheld GPS for backup and use in a dinghy. With the addition
of a $30 USB GPS, an inexpensive inverter, a free software download,
and free chart downloads, you are on the air with a full featured
navigation package with route planning, waypoint setting, track
plotting, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver/dp/B000PKX2KA

http://opencpn.org/ocpn/

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download_agreement.htm

There are other Garmins that you might consider. Here's an EBAY
listing for a used 192C which is an older unit but has good features:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GPSMAP-192C-GPS-Receiver-/160785717540?pt=GPS_Devices&hash=item256f935924

It uses chart chips that cost about $100 or so. You should check on
chart availability for your area before buying any plotter.

Looks like a nice little unit. But, you can purchase it from Garmin for
$499.99

No. It RETAILS for only $439.99, but that assumes you caught the "no
transponder" note, which I am guessing is the hook.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=150&pID=28746

Part Number: 010-00764-01
Suggested Retail Price: $ 499.99 USD

You must have missed the part where I said "...you can purchase it from
Garmin for $499.99"

I don't think I would go the "computer" route, since it requires an
inverter and a Rube Goldberg setup and still doesn't give you anything
but GPS. You can do GPS (only) for a LOT less and carry it with you
off the boat with street map capability.

The computer route would be ok if you kept it inside the cabin and you
had an SSD instead of spinning media.



There literally are dozens of GPS/Marine Chart apps available for smart
phones and tablets. Assuming you keep the instruments dry, they are ok
for boat use, but...none of these devices I have seen have a screen you
can see in even moderate sunlight.