Garmin Chart Plotter

[Roy Smith]

Had a demo from Garmin on there new 4 series chart plotters
some of the features were fantastic, like putting a way point in at Cowes and then putting one in for St Catherine's point.
The plotter plans a course around the Isle of Wright not straight across dry land
wondered if any body else as seen it.

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by Roy Smith

like putting a way point in at Cowes and then putting one in for St Catherine's point.
The plotter plans a course around the Isle of Wright not straight across dry land

That sounds very clever. Perhaps, too clever.

[MikeCC]

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

That sounds very clever. Perhaps, too clever.

It does have some parameters you can set such as required keel clearance etc but as the caveat always goes, it's not to be relied on for navigation and no substitute for good seamanship.

The display itself is bright and crisp and the menu system quite sensible.

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by MikeCC

It does have some parameters you can set such as required keel clearance etc but as the caveat always goes, it's not to be relied on for navigation and no substitute for good seamanship.

I should say so. I imagine all it would need is for some programmer somewhere not to have clicked on some buoy somewhere and the plotter would take you over some rocks.

[DJL]

I have to say I’m not a fan of the new Garmin menu/layout. The old 3000 series is much quicker to use - the new stuffs to toy like with options hidden under too many button presses.

A huge step backwards in my opinion.

The new units are also incredibly slow scrolling round maps etc compared to the 3000 series - although i'm sure they will speed up as faster processors are used.

[Roy Smith]

So shall i take it that its no good then
Back to paper charts.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

I should say so. I imagine all it would need is for some programmer somewhere not to have clicked on some buoy somewhere and the plotter would take you over some rocks.

And that's different than the current straight-line waypoint to waypoint navigation currently in use how?

Like any tool, there will be pluses and minuses. You have to know how it operates, and what the limitations are, and plan your actions from there.

There will most likely never be an affordable, fully hands- and brain-off navigation aid, short of letting some other live body drive.

jky

[ian parkes]

is there anymore info on this 400 series . I have been looking at the 450s which looks like a lot of kit for the money . They seem to be cheaper than the existing 2 series units as they also include the mapping .

I find Understanding the differences between garmins many different units a nightmare , but am considering the 450s as it appears to have all I need and the screenshots of the 3d views look fantastic , especially where it shows land and sea bed etc as a sort of 3d cross sectional view.

How necessary extra the 3d charts are and what they cost etc is a mystery

[MikeCC]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

is there anymore info on this 400 series . I have been looking at the 450s which looks like a lot of kit for the money . They seem to be cheaper than the existing 2 series units as they also include the mapping .

I find Understanding the differences between garmins many different units a nightmare , but am considering the 450s as it appears to have all I need and the screenshots of the 3d views look fantastic , especially where it shows land and sea bed etc as a sort of 3d cross sectional view.

How necessary extra the 3d charts are and what they cost etc is a mystery

Ian,

The 450 is the chartplotter, the 450S is the Sounder version.
550 is same but bigger, 550S is bigger screen + sounder capability.
555 models have higher resolution (640 x 480) screen but same size as 550.

You need to add transducers to the 'S' models. You can't retrofit sounder capability to the standard models.

The 3D mariner/fish eye and aerial views are part of the g2 Vision cartography. The base sysems just includes the standard BlueChart mapping.

So if you want those features, you need the g2 Vision card for whatever area you're cruising. A 'small' chart area will be around £150 but that would cover eg Bristol Channel, Devon, Cornwall & S Wales. Regular @ around £220 would give you whole of English Channel and N coast of France.

They all have internal antenna by default with a connector for an external antenna if that doesn't work for you. Ext antenna around £40.

The Garmin website shows chartplotters and sounders but I agree it's not always clear what you need.

If that's any help to you, give me a call for a deal - 01256 478000

Mike

[ian parkes]

Thanks Mike
the 450 s is the one i want , just couldn't find any info on the 3d charts . The screen pics look really interesting , and I also feel they will be very good for the kids to see making the whole thing more fun .
transducers are the next mystery for me .

Message on your phone will speak tomorrow .
Ian

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Thanks Mike
the 450 s is the one i want , just couldn't find any info on the 3d charts.

Hi Ian, as Mike says the chart detail you want is available as an add-on via the G2 Vision (rather than the standard G2) chart data.

They come in three sizes of area:-
Small 140.00, Regular 199.00 and Large 259.00

For the 'Vision' part of the deal you are paying a premium of around 40%.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by malthouse

For the 'Vision' part of the deal you are paying a premium of around 40%.

I am so dim, forgot to add a link to the areas (newly updated):
http://shop.malthouse-marine.com/ind...d=181&parent=0