Trying to Read Between the Lines: Chartplotters

[Stirfryd]

Well I'm about to step off of the ledge and purchase a chartplotter. Years of the old analog intruments and a paperchart are giving way. Not that they won't serve as a backup of course. After a year or more of trying to compare products (and they make it hard), I'm thinking of settling on a Standard Horizon CP500. My electrician loves Standard, not because he sells it, but for their warranty and customer support. That said, as a cruising sailor I can't see the need for a unit that costs twice as much and doesn't do that much more for me. I am talking about a raymarine c/e 120. Now I'll be straight up and tell you that I'm no expert on the new technology available to us- just good at judging value. I realize some of you have used these units and I'm gathering some input before I lay out $$$. I like to get it right the first time.

Stirfry

[David M]

Be sure to look at the Garmin electronic charts and keep in mind that Raymarine's customer service reputation is less than stellar. In my opinion Furuno has by far the best customer service but on the other hand their products are on the pricey side.

[CSY Man]

Are you looking for a big screen, inside/nav station chart plotter, or a helm mounted smaller version...?

For an outside plotter, I find this one hard to beat: Right size/price and bright enough for sunhsine.

[Stirfryd]

CSY Man, that looks like the cp500? 12" screen? Standard seems to pack a lot of features in for the price. How do you like the unit? I want to mount it up in a navpod at the helm like yours. I like the video output capability. Might run it inside at a later date to a flat screen that can be viewed at the nav station and from the salon.