Is the repeater worth it?

[SanDiegoChip]

We have been looking at electronics and have decided on a couple of choices.
One package has a bigger chart plotter display than the other. Of course it costs more.
The other package from the same manufacturer has a smaller screen size and is less money.
The more expensive one supports a repeater that we could have in the nav station.
The lesser money\screen size one does not.
Otherwise they are about the same.
We do like the larger screen size and it would fit our binnacle and cockpit well. It may be a bit over budget.
We will be anchoring most of the time and it seems an anchor alarm inside that we could monitor at the nav station could be a real plus, also wind speed etc.
One major question is, is the repeater worth it?
Does anyone that is cruising the Central American coast use these repeaters?
Thanks,
Chip

[Arpegecap]

A repeater at the Nav station is a nice to have. I used mine to plot the route (waypoints etc.) while sucking up coffee in the early AM .

[chef2sail]

For less money by an IPad2 or small laptop and link it. More uses with them, plus they are portable. You can work at your nav station, you bunk, or in the cockpit while someone. Lee is piloting the boat .

Dave

[SVAuspicious]

Look at the power consumption of the alternatives before making your decision.

[BarryL]

Hey,

How many of you will be on board and do you typically perform navigation tasks at the nav station? If you sail short handed and no one works at the nav station, the repeater isn't worth it.

Also, can you name the manufacturer? I can't think of any modern plotters that DON'T support repeaters. I think that they all support NMEA 0183 in and out and many now support NMEA 2000 as well. So, maybe you can buy the cheaper system now and add a repeater later?

Barry

[svzephyr44]

If all you are using the nav station "repeater" for is to know where you are then I agree on the cheap tablet or netbook computer with a gps puck (pucks are about $30.) If your chart plotter is actually a display hub (e.g. charts, radar, sonar, weather, etc such as the garmin 4xxx - 7xxx series then you have a different choice. I have a display at the helm, ideal for entering and leaving port, navigating rivers, etc. I also have a repeater at the nav station, ideal for long offshore transits when the weather drives me below except for frequent pop ups to eyeball the sails and sea. Both displays give me charts, radar and weather - they are Garmin 5212's. Quite expensive but good for my tired old eyes.

[SanDiegoChip]

Well I will need to check my notes but I believe the two are, pull the curtain back..
Garmin
GPSMAP® 740 = the Volkswagen – does not support repeater
GPSMAP® 5012 = the Cadillac – supports repeater
Both are chart plotters and would support the rest of the electronics.
We will be sailing the Pacific side of Central America and not doing any long passages.
Probably could get away with Charlie’s Charts and a hand help GPS if we had too
My eyes would like the larger screen; they are 64 years old and getting tired of looking at small print.
My wallet says otherwise.
This is our last boat and we plan on, well lets just say it will be our home forever so we do not mind the investment.
For navigation I do not think the repeater would be an issue. We could use a laptop. No tablet as we will most likely not have WiFi when needed.
We are thinking of an anchoring alarm and possibly wind info at the nav station.

[xymotic]

If you are looking at the garmin 740, then I HIGHLY suggest you take a gander at the new simrad NSS. Same footprint, will fit the EXACT same size hole, same price, supports networking and a LOT of other features as well.

And if you want to mix/match the B&G Zeus will connect to it and that is a REALLY amazing plotter for a sailboat.

I'd also suggest waiting a bit, and checking the new raymarine, it looks quite interesting. You could do that and an ipad via wifi direct to the ray as backup, would likely be the least expensive route.

exciting times for nerds!

[svzephyr44]

Yes, I agree, exciting times. But I would add that it bothers me that Raymarine goes bankrupt with great regularity and their repair prices include your first born child.

[BarryL]

Hey,

I do not own a GPSMAP 740 unit, but I just looked on the Garmin web site and it shows that the GMI 10 display unit is compatible with the GPSMAP740. Is there some other 'repeater' that you were considering?

According to the garmin web site, the GPSMAP 740 uses both NMEA 0183 and 2000 networking, so it should work with any repeater.

Barry