Looking for a good radar GPS system

[williamkiester]

I'm looking to replace an old GPS with a new GPS/radar system in an Allied Luders 33. We plan to do some offshore sailing and expect to be in some areas with heavy fishing traffic and possible fog up in Maine. We are thinking about buying a new Garmin system from West Marine. It looks great but is expensive. The dome costs $1000 and the GPS that it can connect to is $1600. Do you think I should pony up for a new one or are there good used ones on the market that are more affordable but also effective. I'm also getting the Standard Horizon AIS VHF as a back up.

[sailingdog]

Why would you buy from West Marine, when there are so many vendors that are far less expensive.

You could get the Garmin 18HD radome and a Garmin 3206 GPS/Chartplotter for a lot less—under $1600 if you go with factory refurbished gear. Comes with the factory warranty and all the parts. Better than going used.

[williamkiester]

I thought someone might have a good suggestion here. Is there a site you'd recommend that sells refurbished units?

[LinekinBayCD]

I bought a Garmin GPSMap 3006 and GMR 18? radar about 5 years back and I'm very happy with it. You can save some significant $$$'s by buying from an online vendor such as gpscity or tigergps over the WM prices. I'd look for a model with all coastal charts preloaded. That will save some more $$$'s over buying chart cards individually. Up in Maine you really don't need to update the charts a lot. Not too many of those pesky granite ledges move around a lot.

What models are you looking at?

[solman55]

Isnt that a discontinued unit? If it is can you still get updated charts for it?

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by solman55

Isnt that a discontinued unit? If it is can you still get updated charts for it?

Yes, the 3206 is a discontinued unit. It can take the BlueChart G2 charts, so you can still get charts for it. You can get the two refurbished units I spoke of HERE and HERE.

[williamkiester]

Sailingdog, I just found that site from a different thread. This is great. I like the 3206 with the refurbed Garmin 18 HD. Thanks. Will probably go in this direction.

[williamkiester]

Sailingdog, the second link didn't work for me. Can you post that again? I'm wondering if I should get the extended warranty assuming they have that option.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by williamkiester

Sailingdog, the second link didn't work for me. Can you post that again? I'm wondering if I should get the extended warranty assuming they have that option.

Try it again. Fat fingered it..had an extra h in the url.

[Allanbc]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Why would you buy from West Marine, when there are so many vendors that are far less expensive.

You could also just ask West Marine if they would price match on what you want. You would have to pay sales tax but you also walk out of the store with it.