Too many Chartplotters

[mthieme]

I have an old Sitex unit with a Navionics card in it.
I really like the Navionics charts mainly because of the soundings and port information. But, the screen is a little small, it's black and white, hard to see, it has on side with a couple LEDs for backlighting which is horrible, and has minimal features. And it's been a few years since I've upgraded the chart too.
Well, my neighbor got a new Lowrance chartplotter. It's sweet. Nice bright color, decent charting, etc.
So I'm thinking, maybe it's time for an upgrade.
I went to see what' available these days and became inundated. There's as many chartplotters out there now as there are televisions.
I can narrow the field down some, but geezy peezy.

How have you narrowed the field down?

 

[JB]

Re: Too many Chartplotters

Go Garmin.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Too many Chartplotters

Why?

I'm starting to narrow the field down.
I need an internal antenna.
It looks like a 5" screen is going to the most financially feasible and I don't have a lot of available real estate on the dash. Right now I'm looking at units under $1K.

Bear in mind I already own Navionics mapping, I have no idea yet what cartography is going for...used to be $200-$400. I am only interested in the Chesapeake Bay. I have to update myself here too.

I have a handheld Lowrance unit; their GlobalMap software is the worst I've ever seen - markers 1/2 mile inland! Unless they have improved significantly, they're out.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Too many Chartplotters

I'm running a Garmin 4208.

The Garmin units come with the charts already loaded on the unit. The charts of the Bay are excellent and there are no additional charts to buy unless you want auto guidance capability and 3d contour maps of the Bay.

Give Jim at By Owner Electronics in Annapolis a call. He'll give you the low down on the latest chartplotters