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Old 04-10-2009
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Depends on what your budget is. The Garmin 3205/3206 and the GMR 18HD are probably the best bang for the buck for Radar/GPS chartplotter. While the 3205/3206 are a bit small in terms of screen size, you could always upgrade later. Also, a lot of people like the interface on the 32xx series better than that of the newer models.

The GMR 18 and GMR 18HD are about $200 difference in price, and it is well worth getting the 18HD for the price difference, since it presents a much clearer radar image with fewer false returns.

While, the 3205/3206 are older units and about to be discontinued, they are a very good buy for that reason, and have all of the features you'd want in a new chartplotter. TigerGPS has the 3205 at a very good price, $699. They also come pre-loaded with the Garmin BlueCharts for US coastal waters..

As for instruments, I like the TackTick T104 set, which comes with wind, speed, depth and temperature, as well as a NMEA interface for the Tacktick gear to talk to your autopilot and such. The TackTick gear requires far less wiring, since the wind transducer and the displays are wireless. The wind display can be used in normal mode (shows 360˚) and close hauled mode where it only shows ±60˚, which is usually a second display from most other manufacturers.
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Telstar 28
New England

You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.

—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)

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Last edited by sailingdog; 04-11-2009 at 11:20 AM. Reason: added bluechart information.
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