SeaDave
regular
Reged: 18/06/2007
Posts: 67
Loc: Surrey
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You'l be pleased to know that I have abandoned the idea of 'driving' my boat to Brighton now and shall be having it transported by road instead. 
However, when I am down there I'll be needing some kind of Nav device I assume...so what would be a good one for coastal trips for an ambitious newbie (hope to go to Channel Isles/France at some point). I'd like it to be removable and non-hard wired if poss.
Many thanks.
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Nautorius
regular
Reged: 24/06/2003
Posts: 4065
Loc: Boat at a Marina near you!
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Personally I find that people who are not used to GPS sets find Garmin the easiest. Something like the 450 or 550 would be great!
Paul 
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Boating is the only thing that keeps me sane!
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SeaDave
regular
Reged: 18/06/2007
Posts: 67
Loc: Surrey
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Quote:
Personally I find that people who are not used to GPS sets find Garmin the easiest. Something like the 450 or 550 would be great!
Paul
Thanks for the rec - Am i right in thinking that once I obtain the relevant data card for the south coast it'l have things like sand banks etc loaded up?
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gjgm
regular
Reged: 14/03/2002
Posts: 2963
Loc: hythe marina
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While the smaller screens are cheaper, they can make it a bit tricky when bouncing about in a smaller boat. Personally, I wouldnt worry too much about the charts themselves, its the ease of using the plotter that makes a difference. Raymarine is very good, but expensive, and Garmin is good too.. with Garmin you should get some UK charts pre-loaded, which makes them pretty good value. Few years since I used Lowrance, but needed to manual every time I wanted to do something! Might be better software now, of course.
Most of them you sort of hard wire, then use with a mount/stand; then you just unscrew the cable connectors on the back of the plotter and take it home. Takes 20 seconds.
Personally, I d take a good look at the Garmin 4-5 inch screens.
(Oh, just check any plotter you get does include the gps antenna, either built in , or separate, or you will have another bill!)
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Nautorius
regular
Reged: 24/06/2003
Posts: 4065
Loc: Boat at a Marina near you!
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Yep the new Garmin 400/500 series have full built in UK detailed mapping so no extra card (unless you want the fancy 3D thing which is extra) Also they come with built in antenae.
I bought a 550s and love it! It is my third Garmin!
I got mine off Malthouse (forum Member) and he has a great deal on the new 550 Internal antenae (see HERE)
I am a happy customer of his!
Cheers
Paul
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Boating is the only thing that keeps me sane!
Edited by Nautorius (24/06/2008 09:37)
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maxi77
regular
Reged: 11/11/2007
Posts: 857
Loc: Kingdom of Fife
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Having just bought a Standard Horizon 300 with C-Map I am very pleased with it, the bigger display is good. It is easy to used planned relatively complex route in very good times just out the box. Plenty of capacity for expansion with links to AIS and autopilots etc.
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Peter
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Ballistix
regular
Reged: 12/02/2008
Posts: 658
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Garmin 525s here. Brilliant, love the better res of 640x480. Have AIS and DSC connected...it's super.
T
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danfoley
ybw.com
Reged: 21/09/2006
Posts: 561
Loc: London
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Our chartplotter review section should help, independent test from our magazine teams.
Cheers,
Dan
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boats for sale
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Ballistix
regular
Reged: 12/02/2008
Posts: 658
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Maybe you guys should review the Garmin 4-500 series asap. They are the right price point for many boaters!
T
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SeaDave
regular
Reged: 18/06/2007
Posts: 67
Loc: Surrey
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Thanks guys - Looks like the Garmin 5 series is the one.
I have a GPS antenna already fitted on the boat for a defunct unit so that should be easy enough to re-route through.
Can't wait to get out there now!
Watch this space for 101 further new kid questions...sorry.
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PilotWolf
regular
Reged: 19/04/2005
Posts: 577
Loc: East Yorkshire
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Go to a good chandler and play with a selection - somethings are also personal taste. Most expensive is not the best...
I have a GPS antenna already fitted on the boat for a defunct unit so that should be easy enough to re-route through.
Not sure you mean you intend using old aerial with new unit or not - it's unlikely to be compatible with a new unit.
W.
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