Looking for advice on a easy to use GPS unit . I am a novice when it comes to electronics and never used the electronics that have been on the boat which are 10-12 old with the exception of the fish finder (6yrs. old) which I use for the depth finder . I am looking for a unit that would be a depth finder , tell water temp. and of course GPS characteristics . Will I need to go to a class in order to use this or do most of the companies that install go over everything with you ? My price range is $1000 - $1500 . Is my budget enough or am I wishful thinking . Not interested in a hand held the screen is to small and gives me a headache . Thanks for any advice
GPS Units
- Thread starter tagguy
- Start date
You might want to look for some of the older Garmin 3200 bundled packages. There are even some good deals on 4200 series bundles. I think you are a bit low on your price range. The Garmin stuff is very easy to use.
Bill
Bill
If you search dilegently I think you can find a Garmin 3210 still on the market. The price I paid last spring was $1565 for the complete unit. The only thing that was not included was the transducer.
The 3210 is very easy to use.
George
The 3210 is very easy to use.
George
I started with 3210's they are great units and very easy to use. The 2 3210's I originally used are still going strong in 2 boats at my marina. I just upgraded to a 6212 from the 4212 and a 3205 to a 740 at the helm. The 2 units that just came out are in a 3rd boat in my marina. I guess my point is Garmin makes great products and supports them. I have only had one problem with Garmin in the last 5 years it was with the original 1st run of the (GMR24HD) 24" HD radar unit. The factory ended up giving me a later production unit and admitted they had problems with the initial production run. The nice thing about the 3200 through 7000 series Garmin units is the transponders and radar are all interchangable so if you upgrade the plotter the accessories are not obsolete.
Starting at the 4200 series they added NMEA2000 which is really nice if you eventually plan on building a network. For instance I use another manufactures AIS Class B transponder on the Garmin network and it works well.
Bill
Starting at the 4200 series they added NMEA2000 which is really nice if you eventually plan on building a network. For instance I use another manufactures AIS Class B transponder on the Garmin network and it works well.
Bill
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if you have a recent and working depth finder, i don't see why you would want to get an all in one unit... get a GPS with depth capability but keep your existing unit. personally i like reliability and redundancy and dont' like to put all my eggs in the same basket.
if you want something simple to use, then go with a Garmin. you won't have to open the manual... My experience with furuno/Cmap is that these things should be delivered with a bottle of Advil... at least the 5 to 10 year old units!
if you want something simple to use, then go with a Garmin. you won't have to open the manual... My experience with furuno/Cmap is that these things should be delivered with a bottle of Advil... at least the 5 to 10 year old units!
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the New 7" Garmins 740 is in your budget and looks realy sweet as a single station solution- easy to use and you can add radar if you want.
I'm sure Les at BoatFix will give you a good deal!
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=148&pID=37721
I'm sure Les at BoatFix will give you a good deal!
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=148&pID=37721
Thanks all ! Going to see what Les can do on Garmins 740. Bill can you suggest anyone to install this unit ? should I wait till spring ? Kinda looking forward to playing around with something like this . I would feel more confident in the readings from this unit than the ones from my fish finder / depth finder. How old are the 3200 models ?
Keep in mind the installation could be done by yourself this will save you money. You still need to purchase the accessories other than just the 740s plotter. The 3200 series first came out about 6-7 years ago but there are still some new units left for sale. The newer stuff (4200-7000) even the 740s and 545 have SD slots so you can keep the firmware current.
Bill
Bill
Installation would be the transducer and a cable run up to the helm ? is there an antennae required or is it internal ? Sorry if these questions sound a little crazy but I'm so far behind on this its not funny. BTW seen your pics on page 9 , very nice. I've read many of your posts and consider you extremely knowledgeable and generous for the WI - FI service . Wasn't your boat up for sale recently from what I remember it was a great deal for an exceptionally kept boat .
The internal antenna will probably suit you fine, however I chose to add the Garmin GA30 external GPS antenna. My sounder works off the boat's NMEA2000 buss. My XM weather works of a Garmin GXM51 SIRIUS receiver also part of my NMEA2000 backbone. You can add any Garmin radar unit to the 740s using the CAT5 type port on the rear. This port has people confused with the old Garmin network port it is not a network port only a single device Radar port.
I toyed with selling my boat and then regained my sanity.
Bill
I toyed with selling my boat and then regained my sanity.
Bill
I agree completely with this. I installed my 3210 myself with the exception of the transducer. I had to have some help on that.
You may also need someone to help pass cable depending upon where in the boat you route your cabling.
George
floydsfloat
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I'm gonna have to agree here. I had this installed during our go-fast build. It's easy to use, great detail and with the XM weather option, we know when to call it day
