Best small boat chart plotters

bigeasy · 06-25-2006, 07:31 PM

I have a 23 foot boat and want the best, most reliable combo chart plotter, sonar, and temp monitor on the market. Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird, Furuno, etc. Any thoughts or opinions appreciated.

Murph · 06-25-2006, 07:32 PM

I like the Garmin units and the Lowrance, maybe Tolmaz will jump in here he just put in a new Lowrance unit.

Whats roughly your budget? color - no color?

brandon558 · 06-25-2006, 07:39 PM

Right now im using Furuno...but if i were you ide go with Lowrance...much more clear and easier to use(to me). I know quite a few people using them that havnt had any problems. That'll be the next system we switch to. Good luck!

bigeasy · 06-25-2006, 07:45 PM

I would think a thousand or less would get a decent unit. Prefer color.

Holy Smoke · 06-25-2006, 08:18 PM

Cliff,

I would get what ever brand you use on the big boat. Furuno, Garmin,
Raytheon all make nice units.

dtedder · 06-25-2006, 08:34 PM

I have the Garmin 492, I really like it, comes preloaded with Blue Chart Cartography. The 498 is the same but has sounder built in. I would stick with Garmin or Furuno.

John_Bray · 06-25-2006, 10:19 PM

NAVMAN TF6600 - $1,500 (+/-) 600w dual-frequency sounder with 3,000 ft depth capability.

Don't discount Navman gear. It doesn't have as big of a name in the USA as some others. I was really resistant to go with them but am now glad I did. I wanted a Furuno 1850 big time but the specs and performance just didn't add up to the 6600.

bigeasy · 06-25-2006, 10:58 PM

Are there any units you would definitely avoid. Any horror stories? This is helpful-- sort of a Consumer Report. I have a Northstar on the boat but it doesn't do soundings.

Capt-D · 06-26-2006, 03:15 PM

Capt Cliff,

I have the Lowerance LMS-337C DF Chart Plotter/Fishfinder on my 20' CC and I love it! I takes the Navionics chart and with one chart it is good from the New york apprches to the NC/SC border (everywhere I plan to trailer the bugger!).Based on the detail of the chart I would recomend looking into the GlobalMap® 6500C and getting oppinions on that model!

-D

reel world sportfishing · 06-26-2006, 04:46 PM

Mine is the old black and white CP160, I would like the color chartplotter but I can't see spending the money on something that ain't broke. I can vouch for the one CApt. D has though. The screen is easy to see in direct sunlite and the screen image is very sharp and crystal clear.

06-25-2006, 07:31 PM	#1
bigeasy Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hatteras Village, North Carolina Posts: 670 Credits: 5,967.3 Boat: Big Easy Home Port: Hatteras, NC Occupation: Charter boat operator	Best small boat chart plotters I have a 23 foot boat and want the best, most reliable combo chart plotter, sonar, and temp monitor on the market. Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird, Furuno, etc. Any thoughts or opinions appreciated. __________________ _________________ Captain Cliff Parker www.bigeasycharters.com Hatteras, NC year round

06-25-2006, 07:32 PM	#2
Murph I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,402 Credits: 1,261.6	I like the Garmin units and the Lowrance, maybe Tolmaz will jump in here he just put in a new Lowrance unit. Whats roughly your budget? color - no color? __________________ Murph [IMG]http://www.***********.com/images/Fall_Banner.JPG[/IMG]

06-25-2006, 07:45 PM	#4
bigeasy Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hatteras Village, North Carolina Posts: 670 Credits: 5,967.3 Boat: Big Easy Home Port: Hatteras, NC Occupation: Charter boat operator	I would think a thousand or less would get a decent unit. Prefer color. __________________ _________________ Captain Cliff Parker www.bigeasycharters.com Hatteras, NC year round

06-25-2006, 10:19 PM	#7
John_Bray My best friend has a 65 footer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The island of Guam Posts: 64 Credits: 1,217.4 Occupation: Federal Employee	NAVMAN TF6600 - $1,500 (+/-) 600w dual-frequency sounder with 3,000 ft depth capability. Don't discount Navman gear. It doesn't have as big of a name in the USA as some others. I was really resistant to go with them but am now glad I did. I wanted a Furuno 1850 big time but the specs and performance just didn't add up to the 6600. __________________

06-25-2006, 10:58 PM	#8
bigeasy Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hatteras Village, North Carolina Posts: 670 Credits: 5,967.3 Boat: Big Easy Home Port: Hatteras, NC Occupation: Charter boat operator	Are there any units you would definitely avoid. Any horror stories? This is helpful-- sort of a Consumer Report. I have a Northstar on the boat but it doesn't do soundings. __________________ _________________ Captain Cliff Parker www.bigeasycharters.com Hatteras, NC year round

06-25-2006, 07:39 PM	#3
brandon558 I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 2,243 Credits: 2,554.4 Boat: Triton Bay Boat Home Port: Wrightsville Beach Best Catch: Family Occupation: School	Right now im using Furuno...but if i were you ide go with Lowrance...much more clear and easier to use(to me). I know quite a few people using them that havnt had any problems. That'll be the next system we switch to. Good luck!

06-25-2006, 08:18 PM	#5
Holy Smoke Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Apex, NC Posts: 391 Credits: 1,335.7 Occupation: Peddler	Cliff, I would get what ever brand you use on the big boat. Furuno, Garmin, Raytheon all make nice units.

06-25-2006, 08:34 PM	#6
dtedder #1 Lurker Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4 Credits: 1,211.1	I have the Garmin 492, I really like it, comes preloaded with Blue Chart Cartography. The 498 is the same but has sounder built in. I would stick with Garmin or Furuno.

06-26-2006, 03:15 PM	#9
Capt-D You have your ideology and I have mine! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Severna Park, MD/OCMD Posts: 2,992 Credits: 1,740.3 Best Catch: Mrs. Capt-D and Liam	Capt Cliff, I have the Lowerance LMS-337C DF Chart Plotter/Fishfinder on my 20' CC and I love it! I takes the Navionics chart and with one chart it is good from the New york apprches to the NC/SC border (everywhere I plan to trailer the bugger!).Based on the detail of the chart I would recomend looking into the GlobalMap® 6500C and getting oppinions on that model! -D __________________ Capt-D Part-time Cockpit Monkey/Capt. Pegasus Sportfishing OCMD www.myspace.com/cappyd www.thumbdinger.com

06-26-2006, 04:46 PM	#10
reel world sportfishing Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 506 Credits: 1,223.5	Mine is the old black and white CP160, I would like the color chartplotter but I can't see spending the money on something that ain't broke. I can vouch for the one CApt. D has though. The screen is easy to see in direct sunlite and the screen image is very sharp and crystal clear.

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