Garmin GPSMAP 5212 vs Raymarine E120 vs Furuno equiv

[jff]

I'm looking to do a total electronics replacement/upgrade, including two 12" chartplotters, radar, sounder and weather. I realize there are many good choices but I'm curious if anyone out there has used multiples of these systems in this class/category and can compare/contrast their experience? Which is easiest to use, major pros and cons, etc.?

Regards,
Jason

 

[Boatingfool]

LOVE the touch screen and ease of use on the 5212! Has been very reliable and at this point I don't know how I ever used a unit that wasn't touch screen.

 

[barryg]

I have the smaller 5208 on my 320, and had the E80 Raymarine on my last boat. While I really like the scrolling and touch screen on my Garmin; as well as XM weather and auto routing, in rough water, it is almost impossible to touch the screen where you want it if you want to zoom in or out, go to another screen or menu etc. (I found out on my way over to Bimini last time when the seas were a little nasty). So, if you are going to be mostly in protected waters, the touch screen is a great way to go, but if I had it to do over, I'd probably go with one with knobs and buttons, and it could be the Garmin or Raymarine or Furino.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I put about 15 hours on a friend's boat this wkd. It's equipped with a Garmin 4208, which has the same interface as my 5212, but non-touchscreen. Even by the end of the second day, I found myself instinctively tapping the screen instead of the corresponding button.

I found the touchscreen much easier to use - particularly for what I do most: panning and zooming. The extra size of the 5212 might make a difference in hitting the correct area of the screen.