ChartPlotter. Need some help.

Hi Folks,

We are thinking about buying a chart plotter.

I have seen this one :

http://www.marine-super-store.com/posit ... o=99166144

My questions are:
Is this a good deal?
How detailed are the maps for UK & Ireland that this unit has pre-loaded?
Do you have other recommendations?
Do you know of any good deals?
Is it worth trying to get one from the United States?




Cheers,
Trev

Hi Trev,


Don't know this unit, so can't advise on the preloaded chart.

I got the Garmin 178c with the Bluechart map for Ireland west - it covers from Youghal around the west coast and up to Scotland. Cost about 500 sterling - all included and delivered. So your unit, with the extra Bluechart, would come in around the same cost. The Bluechart maps are excellent. Got the lot from Malthouse Marine on eBay. Remember to get a stick on screen protector - again on eBay.

Only problem with bringing stuff in from the states, at least down here, is Customs and Excise. They will want their pound of flesh.

Hope this helps.

I got mine from the states http://www.jandhproducts.com and even being caught for tax because I was bringing in goods valued over 1000 dollars I saved over 400 euro on a GPS unit and a fishfinder when compared to prices in Ireland. :lol:
I just made sure I could get the Cmap cards in Ireland for the GPS before I ordered.

Don't know anything about the unit your looking at so can't comment.

Yappo

That plotter/finder is the latest Garmin small boat plotter (in the 172C mode). It's up to the usual Garmin high standard. From what I've seen the inbuilt Irl chrts are good. The optional chart:

"The worldwide basemap on the 450 can be enhanced with the optional BlueChart® g2 Vision card, which provides high-resolution aerial reference photos for help navigating tricky harbors and channels — or locating spots like area marinas, fuel stops or restaurants.
The optional g2 Vision plug-in data card also allows the GPSMAP 450 to graphically depict a true 3D “mariner’s eye” topside view or “fish eye” underwater navigation perspective."

I think Rob McClean has one of these. He'll be along and will let us know if he has the optional chart.

Are you looking for a combo unit? I'd say a plotter on its own would be cheaper. I'd ring the usual crews Redcar, Marine Parts Direct etc. chances are you'd get a good deal on a 172C or suchlike. I thought I saw offers where they were offering a free chart on the older models:

http://www.marineparts.ie/index.php?productID=2154
http://www.redcar-fish.co.uk/productinf ... asp?id=491

As the lads have said the states can offer good deals but be prepared for about 3-5% duty and 21% vat unless you get somebody to send it across as a gift or in their bag!

Cheers Lads.

Doing a bit of shopping about now. I think assuming customs hit us during import it will add about 22% to the price. So trying to work out if its worth it. comparing a load of plotters at the moment.

Cheers,
Trev

Another question Folks,

With regards to detail, which system is more detailed, C-Map or Bluechart?
Are there any other contenders?


Cheers,
Trev

Hi Trev

I recently bought a Garmin 178c from Northern Marine in Scotland i found them very resonable you can try the link and see for youself. I also bought on off these on ebay from a place in New York about 2 years ago and did not get hit with customs charges as the box was marked up as repaired Garmin 178c value $50.00 so no duty to pay i will try to find you a link for this.


http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Northern-Marine-Orkney

Cheers
Maurice

Hi Folks,

I have found this one at what looks like a good price

Lowrance 5150
http://www.electronics-marine.co.uk/pro ... ductid=632

Is this an old model, or will this be a good unit. It has very high VGA resolution.

Will the map supplied with this be detailed enough?

Cheers,
Trev

Hi Trev,

Heard this is not too bad. Are you just going for the plotter and not the combined plotter/sounder/fishfinder? The 2-in-1 unit is quite good if you don't already have a sounder/ff.

Looking online it looks to be AOK. There are not many reviews of the nauticpath charts but they seem positive enough. Did you ring Redcar? I thought that Garmin were doing a similar deal. :?:

from what I can see lads the Garmin for around that price does not have very good screen resolution (234 x 320 pixels) compared to lowrance 640 x 480.

I might look at the combined unit in this class. We have a black and white FF. Could save a few bob.

Cheers,
Trev

Well lads,

I took the plunge and ordered this one :

http://www.jkmax.co.uk/Lowrance_Globalmap_5150c.html

£305 delivered complete with nauticpath chart of UK/Ireland and western Europe. I think this is a very good deal and it is full VGA screen resolution.

I'll give you a review of it when it arrives.

Cheers,
Trev

Nice One!
Couldn't complain at that price. Hope you'll get out to use it over Christmas and not be running it in simulator for the next while. :D

Cheers Jim,

I'm having severe fishing withdrawal symptoms. Havn't been able to get out since early november, just when the cod was starting to show :cry:

Trev

Well Lads,

The 5150C arrived today.
Plugged it in on Sim mode and I have to say the display is superb.
Very crisp and bright. The maps seem good for the money with most contours appearing as expected (though a small number don't) only minor ones though. Maps of entire western europe.

So I am well happy although we will have to put it through its paces for accuracy when I get it fitted and we can get out for a run.

We bought it off JK Max in Torquay and they seem to be fast and reliable with good communication.

Cheers,
Trev

Sorry, i only seen this post now.

I have the original garmin (450s) you posted. The map details are class. They show wrecks, bouys, shipping lanes, shows and names banks, it names bays, heads, beaches, areas to be avoided and it even shows the births in the marina's.
Great depth charts, and fish finder.
It also has a thing call 'mariners eye' which shows a 3D picture of the sea bed.

Best i've seen. Not sure on the price as we got it with the boat.