Garmin 5212 Chartplotters - Comments from Owners

[westsailwill]

I am looking to purchase a new chartplotter at the boat show">annapolis boat show. This unit seems pretty cool, particularly with my old dude eyesight. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Much thanks. Will

[webejammin]

We have the 5208 which is one size smaller and love the features it offers and as you say the bigger 5212 is easier to read without reading glasses. I keep my reading glasses close by as I'm 61 and use them often. I love the weather forcast that our XM weather offers and we have the costal 3D maps as well as the USA lake maps sence were on the Columbia River and Lake Walulla. We also have the VHS radio with AIS that shows up on the chartplotter. Our digital radar works great overlaying the 3D maps to show everything.

[captain465]

I self installed a 5212 about 4 years ago and am very happy with it. I went with it for the same old eyes reason. I find that it is very intuitive in its operation. I have mine on a center cockpit sloop, and it is pretty well protected from the elements by a dodger and bimini. Garmin does indicate that it is preferably installed in a wheel house and not in the open. Evidently, water on the screen will cause problems with it taking finger touches. You may want to check with Garmin directly about this. Do you have a bimini and dodger on your Westsail?

[webejammin]

I guess I should have mentioned our unit is inside and under our hard dodger on our catamaran. It keeps all the connections dry.

[westsailwill]

Thank you both for informative responces. I have both a dodger and bimini, but the unit will be mounted on a swiveling arm from interior nav station to swing out to the companionway. This system worked well on my old raymarine RL 70. Only problem was it was a black and white unit, and in many conditions was just unreadable.