GPS Plotter question

C

Charlie

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I'm looking at the Lowrance 7600C-HD GPS/plotter. The way I read it, I won't need any chips for the intercoastal on the east coast or any coast for that matter. Did I miss anything? I'm never that lucky.
 
You can do basic navigating with the base map that is on the internal memory, however, for more details about the waterways you will need a chip.
 
Paul, no, he won't. The unit comes with a 20 gig. hard drive with all the charts preloaded on it.
 
i've been thinking about getting the same plotter but am yet to be able to make up my mind!!!
 
Actually Charlie it sounds pretty good. It has a nice size screen and SVGA resolution(600X800). Most of the smaller screens have only VGA resolution (640X480). 20 GIG is a lot of space but dont forget theses charts take up a lot of space + the program is probably a few gig alone. I cant see how they would get all what's advertised on 20 gig with any real detail. If anything, you'll have to buy that Optional MapCreate Accessory Pack to create higher-detail mapping. I would go to a dealer and check it out. See how good you can zoom in and compare it to a good paper chart. If you happy with it, go for it!

Gary Washienko
Sound Marine Survey
 
Les, what does the optional accessory pack do? We had a Lowrance 3500 on the last boat but had to buy chips. 20 gig is bigger than this computer I use. Seems like alot but I don't know computers and such.
 
Just bought the exact unit about a month ago. All I can say is WOW, I am very impressed on the amount of info that is in the HD. I took the boat on a 200 mile trip down the St. Johns River recently and even though I have and still use paper charts the Plotter was an incredible back-up. You will not be disappointed with the 7600HD. It is also easily upgraded and updated by SD cards if the need arises. I don't like to shell out money like that often but I will recommend this GPS.

Chris
 
Oh yea one other thing. The detail is right on down to a gnat's a$$. Unless there is a major change in a particular area you probably won't need to upgrade. Plus software upgrades are available free on-line!
 
Does "software upgrades are available free on-line" mean "free chart updates"? I really resent manufacturers hooking into customers for expensive updates. Must say, they learned well from Hewlett Packard and InkJet cartridges!
 
I'll be ordering as soon as our car sells. We have sold everything for this boat addiction.
 
Sorry for the misinformation. I was on the Lowrance site and I was looking at at the 7300 HD and found this paragraph:
The background map is suitable for many navigation chores, but for
maximum accuracy and much more detail, you need our optional mapmaking
software, MapCreate™ 6 (This complete set of mapping data is
already installed on the GlobalMap 7300 and GlobalMap 9300.). Some
unit features — such as searching for businesses and addresses —
won't work without a custom MapCreate map. There is so much detail
in our background map (and even more in MapCreate) that we'll describe
their contents the

Sorry I missed the line about it already being downloaded on the 7300 and that I had got the model numbers crossed. Next time I'll wake up first before jumping in the water...Shoots my credibility in the foot...
 
"(This complete set of mapping data is
already installed on the GlobalMap 7300 and GlobalMap 9300.). "

Paul, do you mean the 7600 in your above reply. I'm looking at the 7600C-HD.
 
THe Lowrance website doesnt list the 7600 HD and I didnt reslize I was looking at a different model until I double checked last night.
 
The Maptech software, which runs on any computer, has CDs which contain the same information (plus) as the Chartkit chart books for the same area. That is, the disk for region 2 from Nantucket to Cape May NJ contains ALL the NOAA charts not just the ones for the ICW. That makes, in my opinion, the electronic charts primary and the paper charts secondary.

Each region, with hundreds of NOAA charts takes up one CD which would be 640 megabits max. The operating program is much smaller than one disk so 20 gig should be plenty for extreme detail of all US waters.

All the disks for the east coast from Nantucket to Key West, four discs, cost less than $800 (less that $200 each).

Since the Maptech program runs on any computer, I have in on a laptop and take it to any boat.
 
How does one of these Lowrance 7600C HD compare to say a Garmin unit 3010C with blue chart chip?
 
Can't say for sure except the Lowrance is $1200 cheaper.
 
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