Plotters

pettal · 03 August 2005, 23:38

looking for a new decent size plotter to go onto planned new toy anyone got any recommendations??

I've been looking at the Garmin 3006c for around £1250 (inc vat) so somewhere near that figure with a 6" colour screen, or bigger.

Charles · 04 August 2005, 11:24

Look no further - buy this
Garmin's daylight viewable color display does not come anywhere near the Raymarine - I drove the Raymarine and Garmin reps nuts at London Boat Show

pettal · 04 August 2005, 12:03

Yeah, I looked at the C80 and wasn't sure as it's a bit of a pig to "drive it" whereas the Garmin is sooooooo much easier to navigate quickly.

I'll give it another look though. One of my mates has one and I'll pay a bit more attention the next time we're out on his boat and give it a whirl and see what it's like in a practical situation.

Roy Smith · 08 August 2005, 23:08

Just sold my rib it had a Garmin 188 c colour , must say that apart from being to small it was great. I have a new rib coming in December and need a chart plotter. the new Garmin looks good being able to add radar if you want to.
The Raymarine looks study, love to know what you deside on.
and of course Cost its easy desiding what you want on line untill you have to pay for it.
Roy

pettal · 08 August 2005, 23:31

Hi Roy,

Having spoken with a few people they have suggested against radar! Which suprised me.

The two reasons they gave were:

1.) Within a year the radar dome gets bounced around too much and doesn't survive too well on a RIB. This of course depends on the conditions you generally go out in, but I know from my experience that some of the best days ribbing are in the rough stuff. So for me I'd rather do without a radar and not go out in the fog rather than see £1k get trashed after a year.

2.) Didn't realise this one......but, the RNLI have apparently stopped using Radar on their smaller ribs as they did tests that show that a glass of water was raised 10 degrees (in 1 hr) in temp by being placed near a radar dome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They reckon it has a similar power output as a microwave oven. Now this is apparently only an issue if it's fixed onto an A-Frame that is the same level as your head is........you can see where I'm going with this now!

So I'm now thinking of downgrading to a Garmin 2010c as I already have a load of Garmin connectors and Blue Chart software so be a shame to lose it all. Otherwise I'd be tempted with the Raymarine C80 as it looks the mutts nutts!

Cheers

P

codprawn · 08 August 2005, 23:54

Have bought a C80 myself - will let you know what I think of it when it has been installed.

Couldn't agree more about putting a radome near one's head - 2kw out of a magnetron is the same as most microwave ovens and not many people would advocate using one of those with the door open!!!

Just been reading again the early story of RADAR - the magentron was of course a British invention - what suprised me was they were pushing 50kw through it in the very ealiest days!!! Magnetrons haven't changed much and neither has radar in general - it is the displays and processing that has really come on.

pettal · 09 August 2005, 00:05

50kw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No wonder most of the old fishermen I know look like they've had their brains fried!!

Not suprised that many boats have a radar arch several feet above head height after being told this. Never really crossed my mind until I started enquiries.

Would be very interested to know how you get on with the PC navigation software for the Raymarine and how you find the onboard navigation of the unit. I like the Garmins coz I've always had them and know how to use them quickly as they are quite intuative, something that's useful when picking up a new boat and sailing across the channel the next day!

Andy Gee · 09 August 2005, 09:00

I've got a C80 and love it to bits

fitted with sounder module and Radar (well above head). The radar works well with the movement of the boat and you can also overlay.
Screen can be viewed from anywhere. Only problem with it was it wouldnt "see" the radar, however Raymarine repaced it with a new one within 2 days

.
One you get the hang of its very easy to operate with different soft key menus for each thing.
HTH
Andy

Roy Smith · 09 August 2005, 20:16

Well i agree if its foggy then i wont be out anyway, and as i already look like a fishaman with a fried head i think ill give the radar a miss and just have a big screen garmin as i also have all the map chips ready to put in.
I think i will torment the men at garmin at the Southampton boat show.

gingercoastie · 10 August 2005, 08:14

I have a C120, with radar etc, and think is is great. Easy to use asd excellent presentation.

pettal · 10 August 2005, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingercoastie

I have a C120, with radar etc, and think is is great. Easy to use asd excellent presentation.

I don't think I've got room for the C120 ya jammy git!

gingercoastie · 10 August 2005, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettal

ya jammy git!

I know