Chosing a GPS/Chartplotter

[sailingdog]

If you're leaning towards the Garmins, get the 3210... since it has the coastal US BlueChart charts pre-loaded. Although, I'd go for the 4208 instead...since having the NMEA 2000 would be important to me.

[RealityCheck]

My portable GPS Garnin 478 is the baby brother to the 3210. About half the size but I can use it on any boat I happen to find myself on... including a dink or even in a Car.. it has street maps. I did add the Carib chip and the maps are dead on in the Virgin Islands and out a bit where I generally find myself cruising. I'm in the process of getting a new boat that I'll keep in the BVI even while I'm back in the states. I'll probably be adding the 3210 as primary for the Cockpit this next season... maybe my Christmas gift to the boat... or would that be like giving your wife a washing machine???? Well I'll be giving her a case of wine to... the boat that is.

[sailingdog]

The 478 only has a 3.5" screen or so... I have the older 276, that is the predecessor to the 478. It is alot smaller than the 3210.

[brak]

Yep, 3210 really seems like a top contender now. I think nmea 183 will work fine to talk to autopilot, and everything else is not a necessity right at this moment. Now if only they had a sale on those things

[HatterasJack]

Brak,
Don't know what you are sailing or where you sail but for my 31' boat I decided on the 3205 Garmin. Price was great including charts, size was perfect don't need some big monstrocity staring at me all day and night, just want to sail and it is network capable! Keep it simple. Now If I had a 50' boat I might go for something bigger. Good Luck Jack

[7Psych]

I too am seriously considering the 3205 for our Tartan 3400. Question as to where did you mount it and place the antenna? By the wheel or on a swing out bracket from the compaionway? The features of the 3205 are what I really want, but have not found them available in any other smaller Garmin units. Any input would be very much appreciated...Thanks