GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

[Jshep]

Recommendations for the best GPS/Chartplotters Under $500. Will be used in the Puget Sound area. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Hard to make a recommendation as so many good units. I do like three brands Furuno, Lowrance and Garmin.<br /><br />For me My next unit will be a large color unit and cost more than $500. I am geting a little older and the larger size is easier to view without my glasses. Also the Color units have better contrast and much easier to see out on the boat.<br /><br />Before you buy do a lot of research and find a dealer that will answer all your questions. Things to pay close attention to is what type of base chart does it have. As an example I have a Garmin GPSMAP 76 handheld and it came with a base world map and Marine navation aids. It has all the Buoys on the map but I went and looked at the larger fixed Garmin 2006C and 2010C units units and they have no buoy information unless you also buy one of the map cd and pay to unlock a area. Since they are all $50 to $150 makes a big difference. Lowrance unit I looked at did have a much more colorfull base map with buoy info included but also has a more detailed map you can buy.<br /><br />If you do not have a depth finder you may want to think about getting a unit that also has a depthfinder built in. Cost a little more but way less than two units and takes up a lot less space. If you have room and money then two units is the way to go.<br /><br />Sorry not much help. Plan on spending at least a week of research with several trips to dealers to find one most willing to explain the differences. You can do the research on line but for me I have to see the charts that come with the unit in person. You almost need to pick the type charts you want to get first then find which units will display that chart.<br /><br />Good luck. Come back and tell us what you buy and why.

 

[Link]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Jshep<br /><br />I know it's out a few months but the Seattle Boat Show is always a good place to talk to all the reps. January is a long way off <br /><br />Link<br />And you can play with the products

 

[Jshep]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Found a Navman 5500i for under $600. It is color and a decent size screen.The Seattle boat show is for the patient! Have not read anything bad about Navman products..

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Navamn service isn't up to par with the oterh companies. For about $460 you can get a Garmin 162 and the Bluechart Software for the unit. Check out the Garmin website for details

 

[johndezman]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

i'd buy a used Northstar 951.<br /><br />the base maps are just inducements-eye candy- regardless of unit you buy you need the chart chip either c-map or navionics.

 

[Jshep]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Thanks for the recommendations on Northstar 951 and the garmin 162. Finding a used Northstar would be a great deal. The Garmin 162 is suppose to be very good just short on memory. Will keep looking, all recommendations appreciated.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Check out Cabelas online deals. I bought the Lowrance X-15 CT This is color w/ mapping and gps and a free ram mount 139.00 mapping software 16mb sd card the unit will take a pair of 512 mb sd card. The unit sold for 1385.00 they are going now for 599.00 you will hard pressed to beat it. Also the transducer has water temp.....so nice...Ted

 

[Jshep]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Lowrance X-15 CT, went to Cabellas to order but they are out of stock. That would have been a great buy, thanks for the suggestion

 

[jollymon]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

I recommend the NAVMAN, I have the 5100 and the only regret I have is that I did not spend the little extra and get the color. That being said, The unit has performed great.<br /><br />I also have the 4200 Fish Finder with the Fuel module, again a great unit. I did have some problems with the FF when I got it, called Navman and they said send in the Display they would test and send either a new display or new transducer. Asked how quick, they could do it as the Fuel unit is very important to me, and they promised a quick turn around. They received the unit on a monday, and friday I had my replacement unit.<br /><br />Over all I would give Navman a rating of 10 out 10!

 

[mattttt25]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

remember there's a trap associated with buying these- i found out the hard way.<br /><br />if your bottom line budget is $600, don't think you can just pick up the unit for $599. you'll need to pay extra for the software (charts). i picked up a garmin 162 external for around $340. then i found out i needed the bluechart cd for the quality i wanted (another $100 i think). if you move or boat in more than one geographical area, plan on dishing out more for each region.<br /><br />btw, i love the garmin 162. real nice features for an inexpensive unit. jb turned me on to it, i'm sure he would have good things to say about it.

 

[jollymon]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

you can get the navman 5100 for $369 from http://www.consumersmarine.com, the chart chips start at $185 depending on what chart you need.

 

[Jshep]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Jollymon, the screen size on the Navman 5100 looks great but from your comments and others about wishing they had gotten color makes me think I too would soon be wanting color. The search continues.......for color.

 

[ericgj510]

Re: GPS/Chartplotters Under $500

Take a look at the Standard Horizon CP150. It is probably one of the least expensive and has one of the best displays. I also boat in the puget sound. You definitly will have to plan on getting the additional chart cartridge no matter what unit you get as the built in base map is not very detailed. The only drawback I have found with the horizon unit is the puget sound chart does not cover the western portion of the strait of juan de fuca. I had to spend an extra $100 to get that chart. I believe most the other units cover that area with one chart. I have heard that the "CMAP" charts that the horizon unit use's are better but I don't know for a fact. All that said a bigger display would be nice but its more money and takes up more space. The horizon also comes with a 3 year warranty which I believe is better than the rest. I got mine used but if I remember right they sell for $399. The puget sound chart is $200