Need a New GPS Unit

Tug · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 8:52 pm Post subject: Need a New GPS Unit

What i have now is a Garmin GPSMap 172C..it is a good unit but i can not plug it into my computer and download waypoints on a trip to a new area that i would like to make. The other morning i made a 5 mile trip run in mostly heavy fog..i feel quit comfortable relaying on my GPS tracks..( trip lines from previous runs of the same area )...to find my way there....but each year i find the 5 inch screen getting harder to see..could anyone recommend a GPSMap unit with a screen ...8 inches and is programmable. Thanks Tug

volsman · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:14 pm Post subject:

You might look at PC based Coastal Explorer and a 10'' pc.

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 1:16 pm Post subject:

Look at Lowrance's new HDS8 unit, or Furuno has an 8" display in their NAVnet 3D line (which is very easy to expand).

For a good basic plotter, look at teh Standard Horizon line. Nice bright screens and they have been solid performers. The new Garmin 740 is a nice dsiplay with a small footprint thanks to touch screen.

tpbrady · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:43 pm Post subject:

When I got tired of my Lowrance with a 5 inch screen, I moved it to the overhead and took the NMEA output into Coastal Explorer on a 12 inch Dell Tablet PC. Total price including RAM mount was $1400. You could spend less on an HP Tablet/NetBook, and get the price under $1000. I used the Lowrance as a dedicated sonar and backup GPS. The computer is my home computer when not on board and in the winter. I didn't think I could go back to a conventional chartplotter.

When I sold my 22 I took the RAM mount and computer with me, and put it in the 25. The Raymarine C-80 went to the overhead. I really like the C-80 with radar overlay but my primary nav tool is still Coastal Explorer. The C-80 is run with two windows, one with sonar and the other with engine data from the Yamaha 150.