What maps do I need with these 'plotters?

[Fast_Freddie]

You know, I have trolled back through the bowls of this Chat Board and it looks like evryone owns the best brand of Chartplotter.

So due to budgetary constraints, I have decided to buy one of these:

Garmin 172C
Eagle 502C
Navman 5505i

My question is:- What maps do suggest I need for the areas north and south of Brisbane?
I want to get this right because the cost of the maps is significant.

Help guys - Please

[smiley=helpa.gif]

Fred

[Alex9797]

Hey Fred

I've got the navam and have the c-map max tweed to mooloolaba. My older unit which is black and white has the c map ballina to bundy if you need to go further afar.

cheers

Alex

[Grand_Marlin]

G'day Fred,

If you buy the Eagle they come with the Nautic Path charts at no extra cost. These cover the whole east coast of australia and seem to be a reasonable sort of chart from what I have seen.

Also, they accept the Navionics XL3 Gold charts which cover all the east coast, and have the new green zones in them as well.
These cost around $370


Garmin use their own "blue" charts ... I dont think they have one that covers the entire coast of australia, so therefore you will be forced to buy 2 or more (depending on what you need)


You already know my thoughts on Navman


I assume you havent made a decision yet?

As I said in answering your PM, I personally wouldnt go past the Eagle 502 ... certainly a good unit, priced right, and free charts.

The Garmin is $300 dearer and you still have to buy charts on top of that.

Cheers

Pete

[Fast_Freddie]

G'day Fred,

If you buy the Eagle they come with the Nautic Path charts at no extra cost. These cover the whole east coast of australia and seem to be a reasonable sort of chart from what I have seen.

Also, they accept the Navionics XL3 Gold charts which cover all the east coast, and have the new green zones in them as well.
These cost around $370


Garmin use their own "blue" charts ... I dont think they have one that covers the entire coast of australia, so therefore you will be forced to buy 2 or more (depending on what you need)


You already know my thoughts on Navman


I assume you havent made a decision yet?

As I said in answering your PM, I personally wouldnt go past the Eagle 502 ... certainly a good unit, priced right, and free charts.

The Garmin is $300 dearer and you still have to buy charts on top of that.

Cheers

Pete

Thanks yet again Pete,
I should know better than to shop when I am so busy with work.
Maybe my wife is right, men can't multi-task!! . . . . shhhh, I won't tell if you don't!

Talked to a few Salestypes this week Pete, just got confused.

Cheers mate


Fred

[Kerry]

Shop in reverse, chart coverage depending on location can be entirely different and the only way to guage which is best (for your area, your purpose etc) is to compare them for yourself side by side, if possible.

Settle on the chart first, then see what unit will run it the best.

Regards, Kerry.

[onlyme]

garmin have there own mapping which is blue chart,it is one of the cheapest forms of mapping and very comprehensive,as for the unit the quality is very good and are very easy to use and you can get it in either internal or external aerial models which you would decide on whether you have a fiberglass or alloy hardtop boat,the aerials will still work through a bimini.The Navman 5505 uses c-map max charting which will have the same info as the blue chart all grenn zones and are coloured green so you know you are in and also have some harbours and marine mapping such as broadwater but will not have bribie passage,the unit does so much more then the garmin as in fuel flow or smartcraft if you have a efi mercury as well as a better warranty 2 years a 5 years fixed price repairs and are one of the easiest units to use,you can also hook it to your vhf via nmea so in an emergency you will see you long and lat on the screen on your vhf.go have a play with them all and you will make the right decision,thanks regards onlyme