View Full Version : GPS Chart plotters
edpest
19-05-2007, 08:21 PM
I am looking at getting one of the above but not spending too much money under $500.00. I was looking at a Garmin or Navman. Who has got what and what do they think. Already have a GPS in the boat but it is not a chartplotter. It is a Garman 126 and works fine.
dilligaf
20-05-2007, 12:43 AM
either one will do, i also have a good home for your old one!
grant
20-05-2007, 02:51 PM
Hi,
I have a Navman 5100 chartplotter, your father in law gave me greif for even mentioning it at the last BBQ :-P
I am wrapt with my chartplotter it came with the boat and has been flawless.
The one thing I will say is make sure you can EASILY download your waypoints to your PC and alike.
I have to buy some fancy software (but havent) so I have like 150 waypoints round the bay and the names and such on them are really poor as I never have time whilst the fish are on. I use mine to mark every fish we catch on the boat and then look for concentrations over time.
Go for colour if the budget stretches, mine is B/W and while is good, would be eaiser in colour.
g./
I to have a Navman 5100, picked it up off ebay 2nd hand with the cmaps from Portland to Batemans Bay for $250.00 a month ago and found it to be pretty good. Before this I have been using a Megellan Meridian which was a very good unit in its self the only down fall was the cost of the marine maps at around $400.00 I could not justify for fishing PPB and WPB and the small screen size. The cmaps for the Navman are only about $160.00. The Magellan is very easy to connect to a pc for uploading and downloading waypoints etc but I have not looked in the Navman to much yet. The Magellan is connected to a Hummingbird matrix 27 via a data input. This allow the matrix 27 to be used as a gps and waypoints can be uploaded and download into the hummingbird by a pc as well as software updates. I also got a copy of the cmaps for pc that will allow you to connect a gps to a pc or laptop and use this laptop as a gps (apparently ?? not yet tried) that is if you can be bothered taking the laptop in the boat. I do agree colour would be alot better and alot easier to follow. Try ebay there are some bargins if you now what you are looking for and the prices of the new gear.
hillbilly
21-05-2007, 04:53 PM
Im still after cheap little handheld unit, anything more seems very complicated to me.
Kaz
Kaz, after being used to my hand held magellan and then getting the navman, I found as for being easy to the navman is by far the easiest.
kingrichard
21-05-2007, 11:23 PM
navman 5110 here.I also run the c-map software but also having a gps program wacked on to the lappy and only need a gps receiver to make it work.
Only in the early stages with it at the moment but looks ok at this stage
Cheers Rick
grant
22-05-2007, 12:06 AM
So to power a laptop on a rig you would need an inverter or a little gadget called a juice. Which converts 12v direct to your laptops specifications. I have one from when I used to travel for work as it works on planes.
I have an old laptop I might give it a try on...
g./
So to power a laptop on a rig you would need an inverter or a little gadget called a juice. Which converts 12v direct to your laptops specifications. I have one from when I used to travel for work as it works on planes.
They're certainly worth it when you're on the move - I bought one from Jaycar to run a notebook in the car. But they're not cheap - I think I paid about $95 for mine (at least it's switchable though, outputs over the range 14~24v I think). Plug straight into the ciggy lighter and you're set to go.
- b.
iwantthatone
29-05-2007, 12:17 PM
go the navman- 5100- ive got a b/w version paid 1100 new- think they are 500 now with map! try whitworths- good easy to use and read in sunlight. unplugs easily for hiding from thieves! easy to plug in every time only 2 cables from memory........
good unit to start of with.........
edpest
29-05-2007, 12:27 PM
jV are haveing a so call big sale so going to have a good look at the navman
mustang 76
29-05-2007, 12:42 PM
jV are haveing a so call big sale so going to have a good look at the navman
have a look at all the other ones bcoz Lowrance are bringing out new mpdels and they may sell them at a bargin
PeterD
29-05-2007, 10:26 PM
Just recently upgraded to a Navman 6600 - really impressive unit .... had been using a magellan xl colour for about 2 years and run it with a laptop as well - using a range of software for various purposes ...all good but can get to be time consuming ... the 6600 is the perfect combination of both my old navman and the magellan ... and the 7" screen means I can see !! Down side is the cost ... $2299 installed for the unit, $320 for the PC-Planner to connect to the laptop and then $350 for the software but that is east coast of oz on sd so not cheap but has it all....
good fun ... only thing is I reckon the fishfinder is a simulation ... plenty show on the navman but none on the line ...:(
BeeFus
30-05-2007, 12:48 AM
Will be checking out the Navman at JV
but I think in the end will get from Ebay
very soon now looking at the 5607
cheers
glensim
09-08-2007, 09:46 PM
I have a navman 5430 and run a software program on my laptop and home computers - works a treat
If anyone is interested, Navman offer a repair service that I consider not that bad. If you have a problem with any chart plotter/gps other than LCD problems they will repair it for $99.00, problems with LCD's $120.00. I have just had the 2 plugs on the back of mine replaced and while it was there they checked the unit out and also repaired the pc board and replaced the front cover for $99.00 including the return postage by australian air express. Only took a week from the time I sent it from melbourne. Check out the web site.
Geoff
pwadmin
25-02-2008, 02:39 PM
If anyone is interested, Navman offer a repair service that I consider not that bad. If you have a problem with any chart plotter/gps other than LCD problems they will repair it for $99.00, problems with LCD's $120.00. I have just had the 2 plugs on the back of mine replaced and while it was there they checked the unit out and also repaired the pc board and replaced the front cover for $99.00 including the return postage by australian air express. Only took a week from the time I sent it from melbourne. Check out the web site.
Geoff
i have a dead 5100 I would love to revive, can you send me the details!
g./
triman
25-02-2008, 03:19 PM
I've had a quick browse around the current Navman Austraia site and they don't admit to providing any marine GPS units now.
I will try and remember to give them a call from work tomorrow and see if they still do repairs.
Geoff.
grant
26-02-2008, 12:08 PM
many thanks.
g./
Grant, I tried calling Navman only to be told that the marine division is now called Navico, could not get a number but you can email them on the following. Hope its a help.
http://www.duttondirect.com/directory/view/id:543
Geoff
triman
26-02-2008, 02:20 PM
Grant, try this link
http://www.navmanmarine.net/Navman/Templates/standardcontent____66503.aspx
And I know this may seem like a stupid question, but, have you checked the troubleshooting section of the manual?
Page 38 of
http://www.navmanmarine.net/upload/Marine/Internet_Manuals/5500_5100/5500_5100_eng_web.pdf
Grant, these prices are what I paid when I got my 5100 repaired. One thing I forgot to ask you is how have you connected the power to the unit as from memory I was told not to connect the yellow wire. I poked my head under the dash and had a look at the way mine is connected and I have just connected the red + and Black -.
Geoff.
Grant, how did you go with your gps.
Geoff
grant
04-03-2008, 04:46 PM
havent had time to scratch myslef, will try next week.
g./