Need a Good GPS - Chartplotter - Depth finder - Suggestions!??!!?

[mountforever]

Would like to keep it under $300. This is for my Cal 22 So the ability to run on batteries and then a plug when necessary would be great.

Oh and a color screen would be nice too

[scottyt]

i have a humming bird, i dont remember which model. i got it from bass pro, its color. i got it on sale and the demo model, wound up paying around 400.

check sailnet because mine only came with the cheap internal map, to upgrade the maps will be another 150, i think sailnets come with better maps, or at least ones i have seen linked here

[mgmhead]

Check out the Garmin 76 Cx or 76 CSx models.

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by mountforever

Would like to keep it under $300. This is for my Cal 22 So the ability to run on batteries and then a plug when necessary would be great.

Oh and a color screen would be nice too

You don't want much, do you?

I have been using a Garmin GPSMap 76 for several years. It has a B/W display, but it has been a faithful tool. I take it on all my charters as backup. There is no information on depths in the charts supplied. You can buy this unit for less than $200.

Garmin also has an Oregon 400 model with built-in coastal charts in color, that you may want to check out [no familiarity with this unit] -- $448, sailnet store.

But you may want to spend a few more $$ and get either a Garmin GPSmap 440 ($379 at Jamestown Distributors) or a Standard Horizon CP180i ($379: thegpsstore.com) + a card with charts for the entire US east coast for $190). Both have larger (color) displays than the handhelds mentioned above.

[BarryL]

Hello,

I can't think of ANY charplotter / sounder units that cost under $300 and run on batteries. You can get a chartplotter, OR a sounder for that price, but not both. About the closest I can think of would be something like this:

Lowrance M68C S/Map Single Frequency Sonar and GPS System

The price should be around $400. There is a version that runs off batteries, but it's more expensive and requires an external battery pack.

I had that unit on my Newport and I liked it a lot. The only reason I didn't keep it was because I wanted a bigger screen and NMEA in / out capability.

Of course, if I'm wrong, someone will correct me.

Good luck,
Barry

Originally Posted by mountforever

Would like to keep it under $300. This is for my Cal 22 So the ability to run on batteries and then a plug when necessary would be great.

Oh and a color screen would be nice too

[jarcher]

Originally Posted by mountforever

Would like to keep it under $300. This is for my Cal 22 So the ability to run on batteries and then a plug when necessary would be great.

Oh and a color screen would be nice too

Hmmmm... I have a Garmin 440sx sitting here, new in the box, never powered up, lonely. I bought it for my Scampi 30 but later decided to get a 545 instead. If I keep the XM antenna, then that makes this a 440s, color chartplotter with sounder.

It won't run on battery (well, the boats house bank but not little batteries) but if you're interested let me know.

[SEMIJim]

It's going to be difficult to find a good GPS that meets your criteria for $300 or less. Sailingdog pointed me to this one: Factory refurbed, de-bundled GPSMap 376C for $345 (Garmin).

I've been looking at the Garmin GPSMap 276C. I've spotted them on-line, from allegedly reputable sellers, for under $350 for new ones.

Jim

[pegasus1457]

Think about what you are expecting from this unit - do you want it with just coast outlines and buoys? If so a unit like the Garmin GPSmap 76 and its siblings 76Cs, 76Csx may be just what you are looking for.

BUT, if you want nice charts with depth contours and much more detail than the handhelds above, you had better look at the total cost of ownership over the period you expect to use it. For example, the Standard Horizon CP180 needs a Jeppesen chart to give any more than coastal outlines. And you have to figure on subscribing to their update service (reasonably priced at $89/yr), or risk navigating with seriously out of date charts at some point in the future.

Any time you are into the world of detailed chart information inside your GPS you have to figure in the cost of keeping it up to date. Over a period of a few years, the charts will set you back more than the original hardware price.

If you want to update the optional Garmin G2 charts, you are in for at least $200 per update, if I understand the Garmin product page.
I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong on this point

[JiffyLube]

I have a Garmin 76Cx with color charts, but after using a Garmin 3210 chart plotter the 76Cx has been moved to a back up status.

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by pegasus1457

If you want to update the optional Garmin G2 charts, you are in for at least $200 per update, if I understand the Garmin product page.
I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong on this point

I just received a reply to my query to Garmin.

Their policy for upgrades to the preloaded charts is to charge $200 for a card containing the updated charts, then refund $125 when you return the media to them, for a net cost per update of $75 + shipping.