Navman 5100i chart plotter - bargin or not?

Tim M · 02 December 2004, 21:07

Do you think that £155 is a good price for a one-year old Navman 5100i chart plotter? It's in good condition......

I'v seen one and just need convicing it's a good buy before I splash out!

(Also, can anyone verify that this can be connected to my Navman 7100 DSC VHF?)

Louise · 02 December 2004, 21:19

Cheapest I've found new is £328.99 so sounds like a fair price I guess. Make sure you get the manual! Not sure about the interfacing. HTH

Edit: apparently the 7100 connects to all GPS units via NMEA. Does that help??

Tim M · 02 December 2004, 21:21

Quote:

Make sure you get the manual!

Is it complicated to operate?

Louise · 02 December 2004, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by timofengland

Is it complicated to operate?

I don't have direct experience of the Navman but our Raymarine is (without the manual to hand) easy to operate in some respects but not others. If it was me, I'd want the manual! If it's not available you may be able to download it from the web.

Tim M · 02 December 2004, 21:29

It does come with a manual, and and a box!

Louise · 02 December 2004, 21:30

Cool! I assume it works???!!!

Tim M · 02 December 2004, 21:33

Hopefully!

Does Navman kit come with 1 year warentee or 2?

Louise · 02 December 2004, 21:36

I think it might be 2 years but I don't know for sure. Sorry! Might be worth checking that it is transferable?

Tim M · 02 December 2004, 21:43

I'm confused now; do I want a plotter or a fish finder???

Both are about the same price (thats for a used plotter or new fish finder).

Whilst it would be nice to know where I am, I could get an active GPS ariel for the VHF which would display my position.

I've already broken one drive shaft buy going over the shallows at high speed which of course the fish finder would have illiminated.

I've only got enough console space for one......

Decisions decisions

Louise · 02 December 2004, 21:55

A combined unit? But I don't think you'd like the price!!

Tim, a depth sounder only tells you the depth you've just been over

not the depth ahead! I reckon you should have a good look at a chart of the area so you have a rough idea of what's where. P.S. Hope that doesn't sound patronising - it's not meant to!!

codprawn · 02 December 2004, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by timofengland

I'm confused now; do I want a plotter or a fish finder???

Both are about the same price (thats for a used plotter or new fish finder).

Whilst it would be nice to know where I am, I could get an active GPS ariel for the VHF which would display my position.

I've already broken one drive shaft buy going over the shallows at high speed which of course the fish finder would have illiminated.

I've only got enough console space for one......

Decisions decisions

A fish finder would NOT help much as they are not forawrd looking - the ones that do are only any good at very low speeds! As to not having room what you want is a combined charplotter/finder

Tim M · 02 December 2004, 22:27

A combo would be good. I had my eye on the Hummingbird Matrix 20 - only £229. Can't get one anywhere now - they've stopped production.

As for a chart - I do have a chart which covers the area which I ground my-self on. However, the shallow I hit doesn't apear to be on it (and it is an up-to-date chart!). The area (Blakeney point) is know for suffering from a huge amount of long shore drift.

I think I'll go for the plotter - it sounds more hi-tech than "fish finder"

Paul F · 02 December 2004, 22:33

We have the 5100i on our hard launch and think it is brill bit of kit,cost us £400 and then a chart on top of that.As it has a built in Ariel you dont need to mount another. It is ok to use with all of the rest of their kit.Have seen their fish finder and dont rate it much(non colour). If you do get it and there are no books let me know and i will copy ours.
Paul

Tim M · 02 December 2004, 22:39

Thanks Paul.

Mark Halliday · 03 December 2004, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by timofengland

I'm confused now; do I want a plotter or a fish finder???

Decisions decisions

A plotter will tell you where you are and what the charted depth is where you are and all around you.
A fish finder will tell you the actual depth where you are but not where that is.

Would you rather know where you are and what the minimum depth will be at low water or just how shallow it is?
I hope that helps.

Scary Des · 03 December 2004, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

A fish finder would NOT help much as they are not forawrd looking - the ones that do are only any good at very low speeds! As to not having room what you want is a combined charplotter/finder

A fish finder will show you if the sea bed is rising or falling so, to a degree, it will warn you of what is in front.

I set my shallow alarm to 2 mtrs which has kept me out of trouble so far

Des

DepSol · 03 December 2004, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by timofengland

Do you think that £155 is a good price for a one-year old Navman 5100i chart plotter? It's in good condition......

I'v seen one and just need convicing it's a good buy before I splash out!

(Also, can anyone verify that this can be connected to my Navman 7100 DSC VHF?)

Friend had one stolen recently from his house so beware its not too hot to handle.

Dom

Swifty · 02 January 2005, 21:05

New member so Greetings to all & happy new year!

I bought a Navman 5100i in Nov last year and it was $340 odd dollars (about £160) then £21 for US mail to deliver from my friend in New York. Unit is brand new with full worldwide warranty.

£155 for a 1 year old seems a bit steep? Maybe it comes with a chart, they are about £70.

The Navman is great. I paid the extra and got the fuel sensor as well.

Blue Skies,
Tim.

Tim M · 02 January 2005, 21:48

Didn't buy it in the end