GPS/Chartplotter Experience - 4208

[Adams]

I need a GPS unit for NW boating and want an 8" screen for my 30' boat. Has anyone got experience with the Garmin 4208 or closely similar units? Good, bad, ease of use, etc. This would be my first so a little uncertain of questions to ask. Also want to use it for speedometer.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Experience - 4208

I have seen it only at the boat show but the screen took a long time to redraw when zooming in or out.
Looking at the specs I did not like the fact that it only has 20 routes.
Looks like you have to add the depthfinder if you want that.
also for a unit that big it only has 640 by 480 resoultion.

I personally would at least look at the Lowrance LCX38 C-HD
It has the same size screen but resoultion is better 800 by 600.
Instead of only having 20 routes it has 100 routes
Depthfinder built in either 200khz or a dual 200Khz/50klz.
Both will have the digital depth finder capabilty at extra cost.
Lowrance LCX 38 C HD comes with all the mapes Pre loaded on a 30 GB hard drive.
Lowrance has the same comm ports plus eithernet to connect to almost anything.
I will bet that the Lowrance has a brighter screen and redraws fasters.
Lowrance has higher resolution.

The one thing that would be totally unacceptable to me is the Garmin only has 20 routes. That is not enough for me. I did not check but some of the garmin units did not have resversible routes. Some were changed with a firware upgrade to be reversible.

If you only go to a max of 20 different places then maybe 20 routes is enough for you. I use my boat in the inland lakes, also 4 inland rivers, the California delta, Suisun bay, San Pablo Bay, San Francisco Bay and Bodega Bay. Also at least 10 places in the Pacific ocean. In the delta alone I could use 10 routes but so far only have 3 different places I launch from and 2 to 3 places per launch ramp.

I would compare the 2 units before I would buy. I think the
Lowrance LCX 38 C HD is much better value than the Garmin 4208.
Compare Both and buy the one you like best.

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Experience - 4208

I installed a 4208 on my Grady last fall. Great unit. No regrets whatsoever. IMHO the best multi-function display and map set on the market right now.

If you have the room I would suggest you go as big as possible. I already had a Furuno Finder so I didn?t have the room for a bigger unit. Had I had the room I would have gone bumped up to the 10? unit if it was available at that time. Garmin just released the 4210 (10?) and the 4215 (15?) just last month so you have other options as well.

You might want to think about getting the remote control for the unit as well. I was surprised how many times I use it to jump around between screens without going back up to the helm in the course of a day.

 

[Adams]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Experience - 4208

I will look into the Lowrance unit. Most of the advice I have been given is that Garmin is always the easiest to use, even if a little pricer. The limitations on routes has me a little concerned. I also expect to trade up to a larger boat next year and reluctant to put in the 10" or 12" just due to the extra dollars that will pass on to the next lucky owner.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Experience - 4208

Reread your first post and did not see metion of a depthfinder or fishfinder. If you do not intend to add the depthfinder then the screen resolution is not a big deal also in one year you may not develop more than 20 routes unless you live on board or use it every week going to new places.

If I was only going to keep it one year and with out a fishfinder I would buy a smaller unit. When you run it in split screen mode with a GPS on one Side and radar or depthfinder on the other side then a big screen is a must, but just for the GPS a 7 inch screen or even 5 inches will do quite well. Big screens are great but that where most of the cost is.

I have both Garmin and Lowrance handheld units and have operater both Garmin and Lowrance on several boats and I do not see that either is eaiser to operate.

Once they went to menu driven units you just go thru the menus and if you stop on a iteam a popup will come up telling you what it does and how to proceed. It probably a good idea to read thru the book one time but after that will likely not use the book just the menu system.

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Experience - 4208

I will look into the Lowrance unit. Most of the advice I have been given is that Garmin is always the easiest to use, even if a little pricer. The limitations on routes has me a little concerned.

The number of routes isn't an issue. Garmin uses non-proprietary SD cards for data transfer and storage in those units. Just pop in a SD card and you can store all the data and routes you want.

Do yourself a favor and ask your questions over here. A lots of guys have the units in question.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/forum-view.asp?fid=8

 

[Adams]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Experience - 4208

Capt. Boatist:

I appreciate the practical guidance but think for my own comfort, and considering these aging eyes, I will still go with at least an 8" screen. I have read up on the Lowrance unit and will see a demo of it and the Garmin 4208 before I buy.

THX

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Experience - 4208

Adam
I understand about the eyes I now have to wear reading glasses also. I hate it on the boat but tieing fishing lines andd reading small fonts I wear them.

I also would like to have a 8 inch or bigger unit but can not yet justify.