Garmin?

[lsider]

Trying to outfit a new boat. I have been running Furuno in the past with nothing but good things to say regarding overall reliability. Last bundle was the VX2 w/ Navionics. Saw the Navnet 3D the other day and although it may be a good choice for someone in need of coastal navigation, is IMO useless for offshore fishing even with the latest (12/08) release charts.
Next choice would be the Garmin 52xx series bundle and thus the question how well the Garmin units (chart/digital ff/hd radar) hold up?
Second choice would be to go again with the VX2, analog radar etc although I am skeptical on investing this kind of dough on a line that Furuno will no longer develop.
Your input on your experiences on the Garmin equipment reliability and timely factory support will be greatly appreciatted.

[Ace1st]

I have the Garmin 2010....been using it for 4 years now and I love it. Easy to use and has been very reliable for me. I will buy Garmin again if I trade up.

[BubbaBert]

I went total Garmin on my boat and am very happy. 2 5212's, 6' open radar, xm weather module, digital sonar, 2 gmi10's. everything is plug and play. I have cameras on my cockpit and engine room that just plugged into the 5212's. good charts, easy to use and GREAT customer service!

[lsider]

Thank you for your response. How is the radar working out for you? Do you get the performance you expected?

[juicyhook]

I've had a MFD 12 for the whole 08 season.

Love it, the HD radar is amazing, far beyond the garmin HD stuff.

The FF is typical furuno, the best

The charting is not as big of issue as people are making it out to be, If you are looking for Bath data it there now.

I think the real problem with the 3d stuff is there is so many features that most have yet top get the full capabilities out of the machine.

I love having raster charts and vector on my machine, add the overlay and depth shading with the 3d really brings a whole new meaning to understanding the structure below you.

[lsider]

I went to the Baltimore show just to see the 3D. The charts I saw and played with left me dissapointed. The vectors for our area passed the 20fa line are like a 3rd grader drew them. No bathy data whatsoever. The raster show what the paper NOAA show and act exactly how the zoom function on a xerox machine would; they enlarge everything including the soundings. Far cry from the VX2 Navionics with the FnC.
The DFF1 and radar are as I would expect from Furuno; top end.
I really dont see how these charts could be usefull offshore at their present state.

[B-faithful]

I have run 3010 Garmin in my last two boats and really like them. Fish finder is much better with the newer digital GSD 22 sounder box but it still isnt a furuno. Garmin plotters are the easiest to use.