Raymarine vs. Garmin
- Thread starter Jake
- Start date
Generally folks go with one system. You don't need either Garmin or RayMarine for the Hoop--Salty did the look with only a I pad and Navionics and Garmin Blue Charts Movile--and I think he had a digital depth sounder.
I had not used RayMarine, because they were behind the curve in many ways until FLIR bought the company over a year ago. Now RayMarine is back in the game.
I liked Furuno and used it exclusively in my larger boats--much of the gear was for commercial grade use. Very reliable and good customer service. Recently Furuno has come out with a very competitive small boat set of instruments. Easier to use.
Garmin is the easiest to use, and most intuitive--has come to the cutting edge with their depth sounders--and radar just recently.
Navico (Simrad is the higher level) Lowrance has been making some very innovative products, but until recently there were some issues, mostly with service.
Hummingbird made some of the first recreational boat down scan and side scan--they have not pushed the chart plotters.
Why do I choose Garmin night now? I have gotten used to the functions. The product and support is excellent. The charts seem to be as good as anyone, and Garmin now is right up there with CHIRP, Side Scan and down scan--if that is important.
Cost is not much different in all of the brands.
Go to a marine store, where all of the brands are on display, pick a display size and play with the different brands, to see what you like.
I would put Furuno, Simrad and Garmin still as my top picks--but others will differ, and they will not be wrong. It also depends if you want to interface other items--such as AIS (I think at least a receiver is essential), MARPA on the Radar, FLIR night vision etc.
Or you can follow the traffic!
I had not used RayMarine, because they were behind the curve in many ways until FLIR bought the company over a year ago. Now RayMarine is back in the game.
I liked Furuno and used it exclusively in my larger boats--much of the gear was for commercial grade use. Very reliable and good customer service. Recently Furuno has come out with a very competitive small boat set of instruments. Easier to use.
Garmin is the easiest to use, and most intuitive--has come to the cutting edge with their depth sounders--and radar just recently.
Navico (Simrad is the higher level) Lowrance has been making some very innovative products, but until recently there were some issues, mostly with service.
Hummingbird made some of the first recreational boat down scan and side scan--they have not pushed the chart plotters.
Why do I choose Garmin night now? I have gotten used to the functions. The product and support is excellent. The charts seem to be as good as anyone, and Garmin now is right up there with CHIRP, Side Scan and down scan--if that is important.
Cost is not much different in all of the brands.
Go to a marine store, where all of the brands are on display, pick a display size and play with the different brands, to see what you like.
I would put Furuno, Simrad and Garmin still as my top picks--but others will differ, and they will not be wrong. It also depends if you want to interface other items--such as AIS (I think at least a receiver is essential), MARPA on the Radar, FLIR night vision etc.
Or you can follow the traffic!
We have had Raymarine for years (since 2006). Electronically the system has been quite adequate. In terms of service and user friendliness it has been pretty unsatisfactory. The manuals are so uninformative and the system so unintuitive that some years ago I started a thread called "secrets of Raymarine". Getting any useful factory support was virtually impossible. I have had high hopes since Flir bought the company and have heard mixed reports. Were I to choose today between Garmin and Raymarine I would choose Garmin. I would not choose the touchscreen, having worked with a friends Garmin touchscreen. The technology works fine but...in anything but very flat water I found it frustratingly hard to hit the right spot on the screen and longed for a simple button and cursor. The Garmin Bluecharts are also more expensive and for us in the PNW don't (for me at least) have as good coverage as Raymarine and Navionics.
Thanks guys. And yes I agree, Dr. Bob is a real asset to this site. Have learned much from him although some topics are definitely above my head. I mentioned Raymarine and Garmin only because they are the two I seem to see the most on this site and I had a feeling Garmin was easier to use. My only experience is with a Humminbird with Navionics which I chose because Navionics has the best coverage on the inland lake where I boat.
I mentioned the Great Loop because I was thinking of an area where one might encounter all sorts of challenges with varying tides, currents, channel markers, rocks, shallow areas, wrong turns, closed/open marinas, locks, marsh etc. So I wondered which chart softwarre was better at presenting all this information. As noted this is somewhat dependant on exactly where you are boating. I'm not really that familiar with which brand of chartplotter uses which software.
I mentioned the Great Loop because I was thinking of an area where one might encounter all sorts of challenges with varying tides, currents, channel markers, rocks, shallow areas, wrong turns, closed/open marinas, locks, marsh etc. So I wondered which chart softwarre was better at presenting all this information. As noted this is somewhat dependant on exactly where you are boating. I'm not really that familiar with which brand of chartplotter uses which software.
Jaake-
Where are you? (No information on anything in profile).
Find a local dealer and have him show you what your anticipated boating venues look like on the various chart plotters.
See how much detail is available on each system you're considering.
Try to find out what the savvy folks at the local marinas think about this consideration.
Don't rush into this, it's an expensive decision, especially if you have to "re-decide".
Good Luck!
Joe. :teeth :thup
Where are you? (No information on anything in profile).
Find a local dealer and have him show you what your anticipated boating venues look like on the various chart plotters.
See how much detail is available on each system you're considering.
Try to find out what the savvy folks at the local marinas think about this consideration.
Don't rush into this, it's an expensive decision, especially if you have to "re-decide".
Good Luck!
Joe. :teeth :thup
Garmin uses a proprietary charting chip, Raymarine uses Navionics. We have had Garmin in our vehicles and other boats and found them pretty intuitive. When we bought our integrated system in 2006, Garmin was just coming out with their radar, so we chose to go with Raymarine (chartplotter/depth sounder/autopilot/VHF/radar). The integration is great, but there is a learning curve. I have briefly looked at the latest Raymarine gear, and it seems to compete better with Garmin in terms of user-friendly. Our Raymarine gear has proven to be tough and reliable.
Just like computer operating systems (Mac vs PC), they seem to get more alike than different. Time to spend some hands-on with each to see what best fits your tastes. Nice thing: both are good systems, so you can't go wrong.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Just like computer operating systems (Mac vs PC), they seem to get more alike than different. Time to spend some hands-on with each to see what best fits your tastes. Nice thing: both are good systems, so you can't go wrong.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
For information on hazards, rivers, currents, anchorages and Marinas; nothing beats Garmin Blue Charts Mobile with Active Captain on the 10" i pad. Even the old I pads still work fine with Garmin Blue Charts Mobile. Active captain is also available with other chart suppliers now, so there are other options--but I am not familiar enough with these (except Skipper and I NAV-X--where I feel Garmin is better). (Skipper does allow you to use Topo charts on lakes--but I think that the developer has to allow that specific lake usage)
As for the costs--I try and get the coastal (and now lakes are included) already on the chart plotter. Most use solid state drives today. I have heard and seen variations of the quality of Garmin cartography. However all in all I have found it to be good. There are free programs for the computers--and for the I pad or android also, which also work well.
Thank you for the kind words.
As for the costs--I try and get the coastal (and now lakes are included) already on the chart plotter. Most use solid state drives today. I have heard and seen variations of the quality of Garmin cartography. However all in all I have found it to be good. There are free programs for the computers--and for the I pad or android also, which also work well.
Thank you for the kind words.
Robert H. Wilkinson
New member
I equipped my boat with Standard Horizon electronics and have been very happy with everything. Was going to go with Raymarine but the dealer was out of stock at the time so he suggested Standard Horizon. He said it had faster redraw than the Raymarine. This I think is a good thing when you are looking at a 5 inch screen! I find it very easy to use, but the only other equipment I have had experience with has been Humminbird , Garmin and Magellan.
Regards, Rob
Regards, Rob
One system that hasn't been mentioned is Lowrance. I've used Garmin, Lowrance and RayMarine (either on my boat or others). Garmin is IMHO, far and away the easiest to use and RayMarine is at the other end of the spectrum. Lowrance is in between in terms of usability. Overall, I think Lowrance has slightly better sonar and radar but Garmin has been closing the gap in that regard - especially with the sonar. I have a Lowrance system on the current boat and I've been fairly happy with it. But were I to buy new, I'd probably go with Garmin.
journey on
New member
I've upgraded the radar on Journey On. I have a few comments on how I made my selection. I bought a Lowrance 3G for the close range, but a Garmin would also work for me. Lowrance=Simrad=B&G, the difference being that the latter 2 come with a NMEA 2000 interface, which I didn't want. Otherwise they're identical
First, I'm tired of the small 7" screens, but for anything else, they want an arm and a leg. A 10" screen costs $2K, without the radar. So I found a site that allows a radar to plug in to a PC: OpenCPN. OpenCPN is a open source free navigation program for the PC. It's good enough that I've stopped using Fugawi. We've used a PC on board Journey On for years and with the enclosed cabin, the PC has worked with no problem.
So how does it show radar? It turns out that both Lowrance and Garmin have an ethernet connection between the radar and display, with all processing done at the radar and just the picture data sent to the display. And several sailors developed the required OpenCPN software to import either/both Lowrance and Garmin data and overlay it on the chart, as described in the link above. Remember all US charts are free from NOAA. So all you need is the radar, a PC and a GPS
So which one should I pick? They're both about the same price (~$1200.) The only discriminator Is that I figured that Journey On needs good data in close. With the chirp technology Lowrance offers, I felt that it would provide better close in data, both for navigational aids and small boats. Big ships show up on anybody's radar. In addition Lowrance claims that their transmitted power is low enough it's not dangerous to your health.
I also bought a 7" Lowrance HDS Gen 2 display ($740.) No good reason, other than a guarantee that I would always have good nav data. Note that it costs the same as a good PC. Nevertheless, the Lowrance (and Simrad and B&G) comes with US charts from Navico (which owns those brands.) Since I plan to go to Canada, I also need BC charts. Well, the new Lowrance HDS Gen 2 also reads C-Map charts from a SIM card, as well as Navico SIM cards. Jeppson allowed me to trade in my old C-Map charts for a nominal fee. I'm home almost free. The unit also comes with GPS.
So for about $2K I have a complete redundant radar display, 2 complete charting systems and my wide screen. And my JRC radar/chartplotter/GPS is for sale for $450 + shipping, with complete West Coast charts.
A Garmin should be just as good a choice, if you prefer Garmin.
Boris
First, I'm tired of the small 7" screens, but for anything else, they want an arm and a leg. A 10" screen costs $2K, without the radar. So I found a site that allows a radar to plug in to a PC: OpenCPN. OpenCPN is a open source free navigation program for the PC. It's good enough that I've stopped using Fugawi. We've used a PC on board Journey On for years and with the enclosed cabin, the PC has worked with no problem.
So how does it show radar? It turns out that both Lowrance and Garmin have an ethernet connection between the radar and display, with all processing done at the radar and just the picture data sent to the display. And several sailors developed the required OpenCPN software to import either/both Lowrance and Garmin data and overlay it on the chart, as described in the link above. Remember all US charts are free from NOAA. So all you need is the radar, a PC and a GPS
So which one should I pick? They're both about the same price (~$1200.) The only discriminator Is that I figured that Journey On needs good data in close. With the chirp technology Lowrance offers, I felt that it would provide better close in data, both for navigational aids and small boats. Big ships show up on anybody's radar. In addition Lowrance claims that their transmitted power is low enough it's not dangerous to your health.
I also bought a 7" Lowrance HDS Gen 2 display ($740.) No good reason, other than a guarantee that I would always have good nav data. Note that it costs the same as a good PC. Nevertheless, the Lowrance (and Simrad and B&G) comes with US charts from Navico (which owns those brands.) Since I plan to go to Canada, I also need BC charts. Well, the new Lowrance HDS Gen 2 also reads C-Map charts from a SIM card, as well as Navico SIM cards. Jeppson allowed me to trade in my old C-Map charts for a nominal fee. I'm home almost free. The unit also comes with GPS.
So for about $2K I have a complete redundant radar display, 2 complete charting systems and my wide screen. And my JRC radar/chartplotter/GPS is for sale for $450 + shipping, with complete West Coast charts.
A Garmin should be just as good a choice, if you prefer Garmin.
Boris
Maybe this can be a help. I have Raymarine....mostly. Depth, A/P, radar and plotter. And for back-up, I have a smaller Garmin. :lol:
Sorry, just have a hard time making up my mind
:lol:
Like the Garmin for simplicity, like the RM for size and ability to weave in the other system onto the plotter, ( Auto pilot and AIS off the Standard Horizon VHF)
If you live anywhere (No way of knowing due to no info in profile), near Portland Oregon, go see MartyK at Rodgers Marine in Portland, OR or in Bellingham it's Radar Marine (I think).
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Sorry, just have a hard time making up my mind
:lol: Like the Garmin for simplicity, like the RM for size and ability to weave in the other system onto the plotter, ( Auto pilot and AIS off the Standard Horizon VHF)
If you live anywhere (No way of knowing due to no info in profile), near Portland Oregon, go see MartyK at Rodgers Marine in Portland, OR or in Bellingham it's Radar Marine (I think).
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
journey on":cox5k5gq said:
Same here. I wanted a bigger screen than the lower end chart plotters but the big screens were stupidly expensive. I use OpenCPN on a Samsung Series 7 Slate tablet computer. It's a touchscreen device, runs Window 7 just like my computer at home, and has an 11.6 inch screen. I update to the latest charts (I was surprised at how often they are updated) for free. The computer, RAM mount for it to sit on the dash, and a 12 volt adapter around a thousand bucks. It works quite well on the boat and it also packs up smaller than my old laptop for motorcycle trips.
journey on
New member
Mike, I'm not sure I understand this. You take a computer with you when you ride a bike? What has this world come to?
BTW, what do you use for a GPS? I have an old Delorme, which Windows thinks is a ball point pen.
Boris
BTW, what do you use for a GPS? I have an old Delorme, which Windows thinks is a ball point pen.
Boris
We did the loop on a 42ft sun deck trawler and used the Garmin 4212. First of all DO the loop. We had a great time and will never forget what a great time we had. I liked the Garmin because it was very easy to use. We have a Raymarine C-90 on our new to us C-Dory and what a learning curve I have. The Garmin has all kinds of info built into it. It would even tell me where the closes head was and what direction. Our Garmin was bought in 2008 so I'm not sure how it has changed. The Raymarine is 2009. Good luck and have fun.
I happen to have two new boats (work), one set up with Garmin (sadly, just before their sonar breakthrough hit the market), and one with Furuno. The Furuno system is more extensive with autopilot, a separate data screen and separate gps screen, and autopilot. Both are Plotter/Sounder/Radar setups.
The Garmin is much easier to use, and has a more intuitive setup, but the Furuno gear is just incredible (except I'm not liking the autopilot much).
I had to watch hours of dvd footage to use the Furuno gear.
I was able to operate the Garmin system with only a quick reference to the manuals.
I have a humminbird unit with 360 degree sonar I'm about to test as well, but still haven't gotten it wet yet. I'm eager to see how it does.
Anyway, my concise advice would be to get Furuno if you love tech and are ok with putting some time in to use. If you are not technologically savvy, go with Garmin, and don't think twice.
Almost everyone gets the hang of the Garmin if they have any understanding of what the gear does and have used a GPS before. I've seen some pretty salty folks baffled by the Furuno rig I have.
My $0.02.
The Garmin is much easier to use, and has a more intuitive setup, but the Furuno gear is just incredible (except I'm not liking the autopilot much).
I had to watch hours of dvd footage to use the Furuno gear.
I was able to operate the Garmin system with only a quick reference to the manuals.
I have a humminbird unit with 360 degree sonar I'm about to test as well, but still haven't gotten it wet yet. I'm eager to see how it does.
Anyway, my concise advice would be to get Furuno if you love tech and are ok with putting some time in to use. If you are not technologically savvy, go with Garmin, and don't think twice.
Almost everyone gets the hang of the Garmin if they have any understanding of what the gear does and have used a GPS before. I've seen some pretty salty folks baffled by the Furuno rig I have.
My $0.02.
journey on":zztmnvm1 said:
Only on mulit-day trips. I use it to check email, weather, and plan routes which I then download to the Garmin Zumo. Route planning is easy with the larger screen compared to the small screen on the motorcycle GPS.
journey on":zztmnvm1 said:
On the boat I use a GlobalSat BU-353-S4 USB GPS receiver which is a small, cheap puck type receiver attached to the dash or a Garmin Oregon hand held receiver attached via a USB cable. Both work quite well but the Oregon gives additional input such as heading. The puck has no idea which way it is pointing, just which way it is moving like some plotters. The series 7 Slate has Bluetooth so I suppose I could use my cell phone as a GPS input as well.