Garman 3210 vs 4210

badsanta · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009

Well after pricing things out I wonder if I need the new 3d garman .
From what I read the 3210 does tons more than I am used to. I know I can add the $450 extra satellite photos later if I go with the 4210, but I think I may never need it. I can get the 3210 with the weather and a digital depth for the same cost as just the 4210 alone. Any one use the Garman 3210 and what do you think about it. Thanks again

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009

Four major differences between the units... First, the 4210 has NMEA 2000, the 3210 does not. Second, the 4210 has higher resolution, 800 x600 vs. 640 x480. Third, the 3210 has fewer soft keys, five running along the bottom of the screen, where the 4210 has eight of them along the right edge of the screen... Fourth, the 4210 can do autorouting for an autopilot... but I doubt this is all that useful on a sailboat.

Remember, either will take NMEA depth data off your existing depthsounder, if it outputs NMEA 0183....so unless you need a fish finder, that doesn't matter too much.

Also, the Weather XM service requires you to pay a subscription fee, and has coverage limited to mainly north america and the caribbean.

sck5 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009

i just got a 4210 on my boat. the resolution is really quite amazing. It means you can still see detail while zoomed out as compared to the 3210 and so can see a greater area around you. I was wondering which to get just as you are and then I saw the 4210 in action and was hooked. Go check it out before you make up your mind.

KindOfBlue · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009

The 4210 is now shipping with an NMEA 2K GPS 17x antenna and all on the necessary NMEA 2K cables, T connectors and power connector. If you don't already have a NMEA 2K network started, this unit is a great way to get you into the game.

And you can mount the GPS 17x antenna below the deck.

badsanta · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009

Thanks for the advice everyone, SD you never fail to impress me thanks for the detail. Kindofblue, under the deck! Thats good to know.

brak · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009

I have 3210 (which I chose for a number of reasons, primarily because it is a last Garmin device with "previous generation" software).

I'd like to note that number of "soft keys" is pretty irrelevant in my own use of the device. Most of the time even the keys that are there (5 of them) are not all assigned. some screens use 2, others 3 - I don't think I ever have seen all 5 used (and of the ones assigned perhaps one option is actually useful).

4-series Garmin devices provide (provided a year or so ago when I looked at them, anyway

) less flexibility in controlling exactly what information you see. instead of being able to select each data item (i.e. VMG or BTW or whatever), you select general types of information instead (navigation, blah) and device "knows better" what kind of numbers you should see. To me that was unacceptable. YMMV. May be that had been improved (but my recent experience with a Garmin handheld shows otherwise)

KindOfBlue · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009

One thing that drives my nuts about my 42xx is that there is no GPS time with seconds. Makes race starts difficult.

JiffyLube · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009

I think another difference between the two is the data cards they accept. I have the 3210 and it takes an older version data card that know one else uses but Garmin. I believe the new plotters use a SD card that is much easier to get, and hold more information.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009

This is correct. The 32xx series use the proprietary GARMIN flash memory card, the newer Garmins use either a MicroSD or SD card.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

I think another difference between the two is the data cards they accept. I have the 3210 and it takes an older version data card that know one else uses but Garmin. I believe the new plotters use a SD card that is much easier to get, and hold more information.

jason3317 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009

My take on this question is that it's a question of screen real estate and resolution.

I think you should choose the largest screen with the highest resolution that will physically fit and look appropriate for your boat. In this idea, the 4200 series is the better choice.

My reasoning here is that when I am transiting a narrow and twisty channel, I can zoom in enough for the Garmin to be a true secondary navigation source (channel markers, if present, are always #1). Having used a 3210 prior, I can tell you this will make a difference.

The other consideration is anti-glare coating. I think the new gen Garmins have a better coating, but this is my speculation.

Good luck with your purchase decision.