Chartplotter for a 20' CC

[fmoore]

Old chartplotter crapped out, so I'm looking for a new one. I really like the Garmin units with the XM Weather (a radio has no place on a fishing boat). Looking at the 3006C and 3005C. Can anyone tell me the differences in these units that warrant the difference in price (so far I have the audio/video input/output on the 3006C and the larger screen.

How about any other units (as much as I want one, no Northstar 6100i's please) with some nifty features such as XM weather, etc. Looking for $1500 or as low as you can go!!! I want the most bang for my buck.

How do the Garmin BlueCharts compare to Navionics?


Thanks for any and all help


Fintan

[mrfishy]

For a 20 foot cc I'd go with a Garmin 545 or 545s if you want a depthfinder. The new garmins have the entire US basemap preloaded (very detailed) and you can also get the G2 vision chip for them for added detail. they also have an internal antenna. THe 545S is around $1300 and 545 is $700 or 800(I think) .

[fmoore]

I should have been a little clearer. The main reason to shy away from the 545's is I have a t-top. I have heard that the t-top will get in the way when the unit tries to connect to the satellites?? Is this true? If not I could probably save some money. Although I do like the radar capabilities in the 3005C and 3006C for that "just in case factor." If I really start getting into tuna fishing I don't want to be sitting at the dock while the fleet is pounding the tuna 'cause I have to buy a whole 'nother unit for radar.

[mrfishy]

The internal antenna would probably work fine on a ttop but you can always add an external antenna, However if you want radar I would go with the 3006

THose 4208's are nice as hell too, and it has everything you need

[Sawdust]

it will shoot thru the top.

[fmoore]

I am going to go with the Garmin 3206. One inch wider on the dash and I could have gone for the 3210 I don't want to have a chartplotter for two years (like my old POS Lowrance) and say wow, this is crap I need a new one.

I'm going to network it with the GDL 30A. I'm getting the network package for 2 grand because I don't want to have to add it later if I want radar, or to install the sounder (GSD22), etc. If we install the sounder, then the lowrance sounder is coming out and a second unit is probably going in. It's tough on a 20'. The dash space is very limited and I definetly need a bigger boat

Well, thanks again

Fintan