chartplotters

[ryusui]

Im looking at getting a new chartplotter for my boat. Anyone have any advice on what to get or stay away from? Ive been looking at the garmin 7215s and sugestions?

[rikhall]

Depends upon:

• where you cruise
• what your reason for purchasing it is
• what size is your boat
• what are your actual needs
• what are your wants
• how deep are your pockets

Rik

[MarkSF]

At $7000 it should be quite good

But my advice is to consider future expansion. Will you want radar, sonar, NMEA2000 network devices?

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by rikhall

Depends upon:


how deep are your pockets?


Rik

Quite deep, apparently!

[ryusui]

Well its for a boat im in the process of getting. Its a 1961 john alden cutter katch. Shes 55 ft overall and 46 ft of deck space. Im planning to go an travel the world for about 2yrs. Im also thinking of updateing the vhf radio, radar and adding an AIS system to her for the trip. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also my pockets are not that deep, however i am willing to make sacrifices to be on the safe side and spend the money.

[Gladrags1]

Why not look at the new Raymarine e7, e9 units? They seem to be intuitive and have lots of room for expansion. I like the fact that they have a touch screen but it can be controlled by buttons and knobs if the seas are rough.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by ryusui

Im looking at getting a new chartplotter for my boat. Anyone have any advice on what to get or stay away from? Ive been looking at the garmin 7215s and sugestions?

Some folks dislike Garmin because they keep changing their models and don;t well support older models. It's a basic business tactic. OTOH, folks LIKE Garmin products 'cuz they're easy to use and work well.

There are many other manufacturers. YOU need to do your own homework. This includes seeing them physically and working them, in, like, a West Marine store. Hands-on is always the best.

Good advice about touch screen AND buttons. Consider sailing with gloves required...

There aren't too many "dogs" out there.

You need to consider what you plan to or need to add in the future.

The WM Advisors are a great help --- The West Advisor: West Advisor Articles Scroll down to electronics. The rest of their material is quite good, too.

[Marcel D]

I had a garmin on my last boat no regreats. But now I have a Raymarine and love her to death. It is a great chart ploter with great features. But I would also consider a Garmin handheld as a back up.