Best value in a basic chartplotter?

[Aquah0lic]

I am looking for a budget used color chartplotter with SE coast and Bahamas maps. Larger screen than the little Garmin 76 and simple to operate. I won't be using it for anything complex, just to see where I am basically.

Any suggestions on a model you are familliar with?

Has anyone recently upgraded to a nav system and have a decent one laying around?

[Aquah0lic]

So, 41 people have viewed this and NOONE can recommend a decent chartplotter?

I guess all of you people must be using paper charts or navigating by the stars.

[Tropic Cat]

We all use laptops

[ajman]

Practical Sailor likes the Lowrance LMS 337C:

[BlueWaterSail]

I've added this one to my wish list because AIS is integrated.

Northstar Explorer 567 Color Chartplotter with Ext Antenna - Northstar GPS

BWS

[Bradley]

I have a Lowrance 520 at the helm. It costs about 600 US new. For that you get a 5" color screen, depth sounder, GPS, water speed and temperature and a few other features. For another 200 you can buy the Navionics chip for all of North America and the Caribbean. It also has radar capabilities. It seems like an exceptional buy considering that it replaces a multidata as well as giving all of the other features.

I like it so much that I wish I would have bought a bigger one.

[AnchorageGuy]

we use the Standard Horizon CP300i and you can find them on the web for under $700.00. It is a great plotter, can be connected to AIS as is user friendly. The chips can be found used on the net also.

[Dr. C.]

I'm a huge fan of the Garmin 545 I picked up this summer. Amazon has them new, with a good return policy and (I find) good customer service, for $812.

I use this on my Sabre 28, and it is the perfect size for her in the cockpit. I didn't want to go with a 'permanent' mount, so I bought a helm mount, shown in the attached photo, off ebay. Snap the mount on the helm, plug the wire in the back, and you're off. Only two wires to hook her up, and no permanent scars on the boat.

Comes with alot of coastal maps -- I know it has the entire US coast pre-loaded -- but not sure about what it has for your needs.

-Dr. C.

[Fishspearit]

I have a Garmin 540S that I like. It comes pre-loaded with all of the US and Bahamas charts. It seems to be one of the few garmin that comes preloaded with Bahamas. Someone I know from another forum is selling this one that is lightly used.
eBay Motors: Garmin 540s GPS/Chartplotter/Fishfinder with Transducer (item 150306294780 end time Nov-02-08 19:14:28 PST)=

[Dave the Canuck]

Have a look at the Raymarine Raychart 435. I have one at the Nav station with the external antenna and one at the helm with the internal antenna. Both work well. No ability to link with other devices, though. Probably nearing the end of their product life so some good bargains might be found.

[NDH]

Originally Posted by Dr. C.

I didn't want to go with a 'permanent' mount, so I bought a helm mount, shown in the attached photo, off ebay. Snap the mount on the helm

-Dr. C.

Have been trying to locate one of these helm mounts, can you supply anymore information, a make or contact, I have tried searching e-bay but with little success.

Thanks

[witzgall]

I have a Lowrance 7300 HD. 7" screen, well made, and cheap. It does NMEA 2000, which is nice. THe HD version came with all US and Bahamas mapping. I think I paid $899 new a year and a half ago, and there are cheaper versions too. The 5" model should be very nicely priced if you shop around. They all use Navionics mapping, so if you get one that does not have the maps built in, they are not too expensive to purchase.

All of the current models can take Radar, if you want that in the future.

Chris

[motion30]

I also have the garmin 545 Nice unit with internal antena Search the web & ebay for the best price

[Dave the Canuck]

Originally Posted by NDH

Have been trying to locate one of these helm mounts, can you supply anymore information, a make or contact, I have tried searching e-bay but with little success.

Thanks

Mounting Arms & Platforms : Edson Marine Store

Here's a link to Edson. I have one at the helm. Here's a pic.

[bitman]

have a look at the raymarine rc400 portable gps chart plotter it uses the navionics charts