Rib Chartplotter

[paulgil25]

Hi all, if you were to put a Chartplotter in your rib. What one would you go for???? Preferably touchscreen.

[Nos4r2]

I wouldn't go for touchscreen unless it's not going to get wet.

I've got a non touchscreen Lowrance HDS7 on mine.I really don't like the HDS7 touch version. It's unusable in gloves or when wet in my experience.

[Pikey Dave]

I wouldn't go for pure touch screen as Nos says. Either buttons or hybrid. I'm looking at the Lowrance HDS gen 3 series for my next boat. I personally don't like Garmin, as they don't use Navionics charts, which I DO like. Raymarine are overpriced imho. I've had Lowrance in the past & been very pleased.

[Portholme]

I went for touch screen and regret it!

[andyjcox1]

I have a garmin 750 touch screen. Great plotter but I would not get anothervtouch screen in a open rib if planning to go out in anything other than fine weather. It was unusable when rough and raining.

When getting another, I would get one with buttons.

[Dan Gurney]

http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/new-boa...ics-65281.html

[Mbryant]

Personally I would avoid Lowrance. I had the HDS5 and 8 both of which failed in under 2 years and the customer service/repairs was terrible.

I've just invested in a new Garmin 95sv and can't fault it, better warranty and cheaper than previous Garmin Units. Raymarine are also great systems but a little more ££s.

[paintman]

Anyone had actual experience of or got the Raymarine Dragonfly 7? Available with Navionics Silver or option of Gold.
Example:Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Inch Sonar GPS with CPT-60 Transducer. E70231-EU | eBay although they are cheaper elsewhere!

[boristhebold]

I fitted a Raymarine E7D unit and am very pleased with it, its a hybrid so has touch screen functionality and buttons which makes a great deal of sense, when underway with gloves on can easily adjust things and then when stopped relaxing can use touch screen to set stuff up. Well worth a look and the size of screen is just right for Ribs as appossed to ribs with massive screens that look a tad daft in my opinion.

[r3tmac]

i agree with Boristthebold. don't get something to big for a rib, i have a Raymarine Dragonfly 5 on my 5.4 rib and its the perfect size. The clarity on the screen is astounding and very well detailed.

[Daniel]

There is no such think as too large a screen in the chartplotter world.

Get the largest screen you can aford.

Navico own and make lowrance/simrad and b&g now. They are all essentially the same kit. They make the 3G / 4G radar which is probably the best radar for a rib as it's safe at head height (that's for another discussion)

Garmin is good kit, probably the cheapest "good" brand.

Raymairine, IMO is the best kit on a RIB.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Daniel

There is no such think as too large a screen in the chartplotter world.

Get the largest screen you can aford.

Aye! whoever said smaller is better, has obviously never played with a big 'un


.....sh1t happens.......

[Starovich]

I use an ipad (must be with Wi‑Fi + Cellular , celluar has the GPS Chip) Navionics, Nobletec timezero or Isailor. and a case from AudioNation, and a ram mount to hold it.

Means i can use it on the boat, the car or the motorbike and mean i get all the other stuff i pads give too.

[paintman]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Navico own and make lowrance/simrad and b&g now. They are all essentially the same kit. They make the 3G / 4G radar which is probably the best radar for a rib as it's safe at head height (that's for another discussion)

Garmin is good kit, probably the cheapest "good" brand.

Raymairine, IMO is the best kit on a RIB.

I'm trying to decide between the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 & the Lowrance Elite 7.
Main usage will be as a fishfinder in saltwater depths of up to 200 feet but usually shallower so the sonar side is more important than the plotter.
Which would you say has the better down view capability & quality - or is there something better for a budget of £700ish?

[two stroke mick]

I have a garmin 550. A simple bit of equipment. A good size for my boat. The screen is just about large enough. I would not want any smaller. It is a buget priced item ( of the good brands). I returned it to Malt house when it developed a fault. quickly fixed.

TSM

[lakelandterrier]

Originally Posted by Daniel

There is no such think as too large a screen in the chartplotter world.

Get the largest screen you can aford.

+1
I have a Garmin 556 on my 5.3, and it is the one thing I'd change from my original spec. Should have pushed the budget and got a larger screen / unit.

Small screen is hard to read at an angle, or when it gets bumpy.

[BruceB]

I would buy as reasonably large as you can afford and get a colour one. Perosnally I can't see the whole integrated suite of Lowarnce and have two 7" colour plotters and all the other toys on the RIB.
Only faulure has been a Garmin GPS aerial on my last RIB and a Lowrance GPs aerial on the newer one in about 12-15 years.
I liked the Garmin but the Navionics charts and interoperabilty of Lowrance have the edge for me, especially the charts as I have the whole of Scotland on one chart card and its brill!

[Sonar]

Londonchartplotters

Touch screen and not..

[willk]

The E7D is actually quite big, nice bit of kit it is too. I think that small (5"-6") is fine for a small boat operating in clear viz on calmish seas. On anything else, bigger is always better, IMO.

[diver 1]

I have Lowrance HDS 5 button operated. Buttons are fiddly but they work. Unit has lots of features and easy to read. 3 years, great customer service in my experience (was replaced for next to no cost by UK distributor because old Lowrance unit finally packed up.

Easy to set up and simple for novices to use with only a couple of minutes demo.

Would certainly avoid a touchscreen. I can operate the buttons on mine at speed in poor weather. Touchscreen either wouldn;t work or more likely get cracked with impact if operating whilst at speed.