Looking for some opinions on new Chartplotter/Radar combo

[jdolmetsch]

My Raymarine radar is starting to go on thr fritz and I want to get a new digital one and add a second multifuction display to my boat. I have the older C80 series Raymarine right now and I want to keep that for my charts/FF but want to add a second one for backup charts and the radar.

Anyone have some suggestions on units that wont break the bank but offer good features and reliability? I want to stay with a 9 to 12" screen.

I am worried that Raymarine might not be around long and their units are OK but could use some info

John D.
Hook'N Up

[jimpyne]

I bought a Lowrance HDS 10 system for my boat a couple of months ago. Chartplotter, radar annd sounder. I installed it myself and everything worked right out of the box. After 4 offshore trips so far so good. It has the Lowrence map data base in it which is OK. It also accepts Navionics. It uses the new, somewhat generic, .gpx file format for the way points. I can add and edit my waypoints on this laptop using "Easy GPS" free sofware and download the database to the HDS 10 using an SD memory card. I can also back up the database from the HDS 10 onto a SD memory card for safe keeping. It's got a whole bunch of other features that I haven't learned to use yet. The menu system is straight forward and easy to use when under way. Since this is the first reply I'm sure you'll get second and third opinions about other brands as well as positive and negative opinions about Lowrence. I hope this helps.

[mikehalseyjr]

I have twin 10.4" furuno navnets and I added a small garmin gpsmap740S last year, $1,500 no external antenna, no chips, done. It is awesome, super easy to use, never had to open the book.

Garmin is stepping up their game, big time. I wanted a stand alone system incase the navnet equipment took a dump for whatever reason. So the garmin is on it's own power supply not tied into any of the navnet equipment.

Mike
milliRem

[Thrillseeker]

When you see lowrence start giving a discount on one of there products you know a new version is coming out.

[swell247]

No question Garmin they have really stepped it up!