Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

[tmh]

Hi. I bought a 33' cruiser (1988 Cruisers Inc. 3370) last season and have mostly been working on various systems on the boat and doing short day trips on it. Now I have everything working great (fridges, head, AC/Heat, etc.) and would like do venture further from my dock!

The previous owner kept his GPS/Chartplotter so it doesn't have one. I have a hand held Garmin (?) 76 or something that is waterproof and sold as a marine gos. I really need a "real" marine GPS with detailed local maps, water depth info, etc. What I THINK I've learned is the map included on most systems is not really a detailed nautical map. For that you buy a chip or something? I will be in Lake Ontario so I see some chips cover the Great Lakes and surrounding areas.

What I'm asking here is a bit better explanation of whether this "chip" is really how they are updated, is it always needed (or do some newer systems have the detailed maps built in?) and anything else you can tell me to better understand navigation gps units. I may wind up buying a used one (prefer to save $$$) so any specific recommendations is welcome. I don't need fancy or "the best", just one that gets the job done and keeps me off the rocks!

Thx.

oops... thanks for moving to proper form. Somehow I missed seeing that forum.

 

[scutly]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

my last years garmin 420s did not come preloaded with detailed maps and i had to buy a VERY expensive BlueChart g2 Vision chip for it. but now i have 3D viewing and real satellite imagery of land and ports. woopdy do....gps was $400 and change and the chip was $300 and change. my buddy buys this years model 431 on sale for under $400 preloaded with us coastal charts. just no 3D and satellite pics. you would want the 431 or the 431s (and add like $50 bucks for the transducer so you can have real depth readings,fishfinder capabilities and water temp). preloaded with U.S. inland waters. GPSMAP 431 it would be perfect for you. after sale and rebate, he got it for like $350 from w marine. rebate ends april 4th. and you can get the BlueChart g2 Vision chip for this model, but its not needed.

 

[sr280da]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

It depends on what you buy. The new Raymarine C90W series not only come with the GPS antenna built into the box, but also the charts. There is supposed to be a way to upload new chart versions, but I'm not clear on the how.

I don't know how often the CN authorities update charts, but here NOAA is slower than drying paint. As a result, unless you do a lot of long distance cruising, you probably won't see a need for updating the electronic charts all that often.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

It depends on what you buy.

I think it's fair to say that most chartplotters have basic charts built into the unit. These basic charts may be global in scope and do not allow for "zooming in" to the extent that the "regional" chips allow. Since you will no doubt desire detailed chart capabilities for your specific boating area, an appropriate chip will be essential. Updating the content of any given chip is a secondary consideration. A new chip will have all the latest bells and whistles, while an older chip purchased with a used chartplotter may lack some of these features. The actual charts included in each are not likely to differ significantly. If at all possible, it is recommended that you "try" before you buy, as the presentations and user interface vary considerably among the various manufacturers ... to each his own.

 

[tmh]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

Thanks. I checked out a few more - that Garmin 431(s) looks like the type I want. I guess at around $400 I won't do much better. I'll listen to other ideas though....

Do most prefer the gps/chartplotter and fishfinder be the same unit or seperate units?

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

Thanks. I checked out a few more - that Garmin 431(s) looks like the type I want. I guess at around $400 I won't do much better. I'll listen to other ideas though....

Do most prefer the gps/chartplotter and fishfinder be the same unit or seperate units?

I would answer this way. On 18' boats where space is at a premium and cost factors into the decision in a big way, multifunction displays (MFDs) probably get the nod most of the time. On 120' yachts with virtually unlimited bridge space, the opposite would be true. In between, there are proponents of each. There are competing considerations for either approach, but I would opt for the largest display that you can fit and afford. If you have the space and the checkbook for two big displays ... well, you just eliminated me, so I'll let those that do answer that one. As for the specific unit you mentioned, I'd say that a 4" screen is on the small side for a 33' boat, and that for a few more bucks, you could get NMEA2000 capability (which provides the functional expandability you will learn to appreciate over time). On the plus side, you have chosen a unit that apparently has the charts you need already built in. Shopping for this stuff is half the fun!

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

Pez hits the nail on the head. GPS are like computers, the one you buy today is somewhat out dated quickly. I have a 35' aft cabin and I use a Standard Herizon CP1000 w/C-Map Max card. The 10" screen is really a must for being able to look ahead and to plot waypoints and courses. A 4" screen isn't going to cut it for you. You could check the prices of the various Nav chips out there. I don't think all of them are super expensive. I am not pushing C-Map, but they have a C-map club you can join, after you buy the initial card, for $79.00 year and it includes a annual free upgrade card as well as other discount stuff. I have had my set-up for five years and it has worked flawlessly and is still current tectnology/look/features. Have fun looking.

 

[UncleBoatMan]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

Like many of the other posters, I got tired of the need for constant updating of the software and firmware. The product below updates itself without any cost or action by the user. It's a little expensive, but worth it for the accuracy and convenience. All of the major mariners I know of use one.

http://www.celestaire.com/Tamaya/View-all-products.html

 

[dingbat]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

A 4" display in split screen mode is way too small unless you have a magnifier mounted in front of it. For a multi-function unit I?d go no smaller than an 8? display, consider a 10? if serious about fishing.

I run separate units for navigation and fish finder. I?m running a Garmin 4208 with a 8? display for navigation and a Furuno 585 fish finder which has a 8.4? screen. The large screens allow me to be in the back of the boat yet still be able to see the screens up at the helm. The Garmin has a remote so I can changes screens, zoom, etc. from the back of the boat which is a nice feature.

 

[tmh]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

OK, Thanks, guys. I think I'll go with seperate units. My eyes aren't getting any better so bigger screens is the way to go for me!

 

[jafo9]

Re: Marine GPS and maps - a bit confused

i would caution you about the garmin maps. they don't have the same coverage for all locations. my lake has very poor detail while the next lake over has great detail. i think you can look on their site and "play" with the map to see if it covers what you want. i don't know why they don't like my lake, but i was stuck buying their software since i had already bought their hardware.

when i replace my current unit, it will likely be a different brand as i have found others that cover my main lake better.