High End GPS Recommendations?

[Shutupandfish]

I am currently using a Garmin 176C GPS w/Bluechart software on my boat. It's a great unit but I would love a bigger more visible display especially in the bright sunlight. I am looking at either a Lowrance GM7600C with a 10.4" display or the Garmin 2010 with a 10" display. I am leaning towards the Lowrance unit as I beleive that the display may be more visible in bright sunlight. Also, I am not sure how the Bluechart chip for the Garmin stacks up against the Navionics chip for the Lowrance. I fish mainly offshore so I need to compare these too software packages with that in mind. Any recommendations or experience with either of these units, or any others that I should look at would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[amirm]

Re: High End GPS Recommendations?

No experience with either. But here is a suggestion. Go to a store that stocks them and play with them. See if you can easily navigate the menues. Ask them to put in the chart memory cards and zoom in on your favorite spots and see for yourself how each unit stacks up. Check out the LCD quality. See if it grainy or smooth, etc. See how fast each one redraws the screen when you zoom in, etc.<br /><br />Amir

 

[Boatist]

Re: High End GPS Recommendations?

I like the lowrance much better. The screen is brighter the colors are brighter and the base mape has all the navigation aids. I think for my use I do not need anything better than the base map. The GM7600C HD comes with a 20 GB hard drive with the detailed maps pre loaded. This is one of the the new this year units and am not sure it is in stores yet.<br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Outdoor/Products/gm7600CHD.asp <br /><br />Lowrance has emulators you can down load to your PC and try the unit on your PC. Instead of useing your fingers to hit buttons you use your mouse. I do not think they have any emulator for the new units with hard drives yet, but several 10 inch units.<br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCSoftware/demos.asp <br /><br />Garmin uses washed out colors but they claim to use same colors as a paper chart. Some like that it is the same as a paper chart but I like it bright and easy to read. Even the Garmin 2010 has a very poor base map and has no navigation aids. If you like this one better plan on getting the bluecharts.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: High End GPS Recommendations?

Hi Paul, and welcome to the board! <br /><br />I was Googling for the GM7600C HD and could only find it available in Australia. Probably like Boatist mentions, not available here yet.<br /><br />Personally, I think Garmin products are over-priced and under-warranty’d. And they always seem to be lacking something. Nonetheless, the marine electronics market enjoys strong consumer loyalty, and Garmin is a big seller of handheld GPS. Folks that own Garmin anything tend to really like it, or they dump it quick.<br /><br />High-end 10-inch displays with outstanding viewibility in direct sunlight, and worth considering (if you have a bottomless wallet) are:<br />RayMarine ($2600)<br />Furuno ($2600)<br />Simrad ($3900)<br /><br />I noticed the spec for that Lowrance indicates a TFT display. It should be good in bright light, too. Amir's suggestion to play with the units before you buy is a good one, too. And I recommend reading the user’s manuals online to help you decide which unit has the features/functions you prefer.<br /><br />Please let us know what you decide to get, and why.

 

[thehermit]

Re: High End GPS Recommendations?

fish,<br />I am a loyal Garmin user due to quality and ease of use but more important they provide software updates on the web site that keep your Garmin OS up to date. I have no experience with the others but have had no reason to go there. Recently got another Garmin 172MAP with Bluechart and it even talks (via PC) to my 3 year old machine. TH

 

[Shutupandfish]

Re: High End GPS Recommendations?

Thanks to everybody who replied with suggestions and recommendations. I have looked at the Lowrance displays and I do tend to think that they look brighter and sharper. I love my little Garmin 176C but I think I will go down to the local Boatersworld and try them out for size. I am also going to download some of the demo software from the Lowrance site as Boatist suggested. I think that after it is all said and done that I will end up with a Lowrance unit. Time will tell. I will keep you all posted as to my finding and my decision. Thanks again for the great advise.