Garmin GPS Chartplotter

O

OcalaBR

Member
Joined
May 5, 2009
RO Number
31211
Messages
8
Hi All,

I'm looking into a reasonably priced GPS/chartplotter for our little boat and was wondering if anyone has the Garmin 421s. Can someone enlighten me on the base map resolution/scale? Is it sufficient for coastal navigation without purchasing the enhanced charts? Does it include any inland charts?

Thanks!
 
I just installed a 441S on my 17 CC. I am really a Raymarine guy, but they didnt have any units that were small enough to fit on my dash. Unit works excellently. Graphics and map detail is great with the built in map. The 441S has the costal charts for the whole US. 421 has only satalite pictures for the entire planet, can not be used for navigation without a card. 431 has inland lakes and rivers charts built in.

So depending where you boat you need a 431 or 441 and if you are going to buy one get the S model so it gives you fish finder and depth also.
 
For what its worth I have Garmin's 440x, the charts are ok for coastal but forget about inland or lakes for navigation. Most of the time I just get randomly shaped blue blobs where the shoreline aren't even accurate. But it does my needs. I just use past track, the first time I'm in an area with poor covereage I go slow, navigate like a prudent mariner and watch the fathometer. If all goes well I used my past track as a track line for future visits. But if they didn't change the base charts, then yes I fine the 40 series base maps are ok for coastal.
 
As Kevin said, the 421 has world-wide base maps and will need to have local charts added for navigation. The 431 comes with detailed inland charts built in. I think you should be looking at the 441 which includes pre-loaded US Coastal maps, which is what I assume you'd be looking for in Florida. I just upgraded from an older Garmin unit to the 640 as I wanted to add weather (a very, very nice feature). It comes with the same maps as the 441 would. We just used it in Florida and have been in the Bahamas with it for the past 3 weeks. You can add additional charts for more detail, but what's built in is pretty darn fantastic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top