Chartplotters

[seagate]

I have a Garmin 521 with blue chart I got on e bay for $75 if you look long and hard you can find a deal.
blue chart makes a big differance,but I got by without till I found one I could aford.

[CTsalt12]

Ok so I'm still not really clear on a few things maybe y'all can help me out with regarding the chartplotters. A little background: I fish the Long Island Sound, Norwalk Islands area. Basically treacherous, ton of structure ranging from reefs to sandbars / rips to rock outcroppings etc. I know the waters very well as far as navigation, but want the technology to get precisely on top of the structure.

How good are the Base Coastal Maps on Garmin's that come included on some models? I can see some screenshots, and the screenshots seem pretty basic, i.e. mark the channel and some reefs but don't seem to mark that much of the ocean floor contours. Is the "US Coastal Area Maps" package that it comes with gonna be enough for the fishing I'm doing, or am I gonna have to factor in another $100 for the bluecharts?

I appreciate all input!

[Blue Agave]

If you are bottom fishing you are going to need a bottom machine to go long with that chart plotter.

[Capt Matt]

If you want good local detail you will need a chip
Capt Matt

[fmaster360]

I used Navionics to get to the meet yesterday. It was "ok." Biggest problem was that I couldn't really see the phone while holding on to my man tits while bouncing up and down in the waves. Something with a bigger screen, and more designed for the task would be much better. The Navionics deal, like most have said, is cool for a backup, but not something you want to have to rely on.

Now I'm looking for a chartplotter.

[CTsalt12]

I got the navionics recently, I'm very impressed by it.  Honestly my iPhone screen is only a tad smaller than a garmin 400 series.  Hard to justify getting a chart plotter at this point. All i need is a waterproof case and mount, and just plug my car charger in.

[fmaster360]

The program it's self isn't so bad. It's the fact that it cannot really triangulate your heading efficiently while underway, it doesn't seem to follow your position on the map, and that it's hard to in a chop, and if your fingers are wet the screen won't respond that sucks. It may work better on your phone than mine though.

[Circle Hooked]

Alot of the Garmins  come with the blue chart built in, the 541 I just got does and it almost has to much info, shows every little thing in the water you would need to see.

[CTsalt12]

I've tested it in the car driving around and walking around beaches etc..

When you're not moving it doesn't triangulate which way you're pointed, other than that as long as  youre moving it seems to be spot on.

[John Jones]

When you're not moving it doesn't triangulate which way you're pointed, other than that as long as  youre moving it seems to be spot on.

Most gps/plotters are like that.  The only cure is a $500 heading sensor.

[CATmech945]

I just put an HDS 7 Lowrance in and I love it. The garmin scares me a bit being that it's ONLY touchscreen. The Raymarine has control from either the screen or the joystick and buttons on the side but it's more expensive yet. I went with the Lowrance because one, it was cheaper and two because it isn't touch screen. I've just had too many touchscreen phones quit working and I'd hate to be way off and have the screen quit. Just my opinion though, the Garmins are nice units and a lot of people have them so they must be doing something right.

[seabob4]

Just did a 740 Garmin, no matter how clean I washed my hands, finger prints were left...hmmmm.

[fmaster360]

That is huge

[Capt Matt]

My non touch screen garmin is always dirty, can't imagine touching the screen all day how bad it would be
Capt Matt

[John Jones]

The screen on my Garmin Nuvi in the truck stays so dirty I can barely see it.  I can't imagine fish slime.