How would you spend $500 for a GPS device?

M

Morgueman

New Member
Oct 2, 2013
47
San Diego, CA
Boat Info
2005 SunDeck 240
2006 Lincoln Navigator
Engines
Mercruiser 6.2L 320hp
Hi Everyone,

I'm in the market for a GPS chartplotter, and my budget is $500. I don't care about a fishfinder module as I already have one installed and I don't want to do any more drilling through the transom. I'm most interested in a large screen (at least 7"), and I'd really like if the software tracked upwards; otherwise, I find myself constantly rotating my phone around (yes, I've been using my smartphone with the Navionics app).

I've considered a smaller tablet (eg. iPad mini), but I'm very concerned about glare frustrating me, and they are not waterproof (except one of the Sony models).

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thank you,
Morgueman (Eric)
 
That's going to be tough. I'm not sure that you will find a 7" screen in that price point. I paid $400 for a discontinued 5" screen Garmin unit that is networked to My 6" unit and is my backup system.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Todd
 
Hi Eric,

As Todd mentioned, I don't think you are going to find anything with that large a screen in the 500 dollar price range.
Are you sure you need that large a screen?
I myself have the Garmin 531s, it has a 5" screen, and even with my poor eyesight up close - I can see it really well.

IMG_0353.jpg


Now the s in the 531s, denotes it has the depthfinder transducer. Since my boat already has this, I never even bothered to hook it up, so I could have saved some money by just getting the 531 instead of the 531s - screen size is the same.
 
I agree I had to spend $550 just to get a 5in non touch screen. Garmin Echomap 50dv. I did the same as dburne and plan to not hook up the sonar (at first). The entry level 7in touchscreens are $990 on sale.
 
Morgueman said:
Hi Everyone,

I'm in the market for a GPS chartplotter, and my budget is $500. I don't care about a fishfinder module as I already have one installed and I don't want to do any more drilling through the transom. I'm most interested in a large screen (at least 7"), and I'd really like if the software tracked upwards; otherwise, I find myself constantly rotating my phone around (yes, I've been using my smartphone with the Navionics app).

I've considered a smaller tablet (eg. iPad mini), but I'm very concerned about glare frustrating me, and they are not waterproof (except one of the Sony models).

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thank you,
Morgueman (Eric)
Click to expand...

I am thinking along the same lines, though I have pretty well decided not to put that kind of money into a single use device. , personally, am leaning toward the iPad solution. While it isn't waterproof, that is a simple fix with a lifeproof case: http://www.lifeproof.com/en/ipad-mini-retina/. The glare and trouble seeing the screen in direct sunlight is a concern as well, but there have been various posts here where people have stated it is definitely useable. The advantage is that you have the ultimate MFD that can control virtually everything on your boat that can be controlled, is an entertainment hub, etc.

With regard to the glare, this does work: http://www.imore.com/ipad-direct-sunlight. I would recommend a retina screen. I have noticed a huge difference with polarized glasses even switching from a non-retina to retina screen.

Bryan
 
If you want to go the tablet route I would suggest the Nexus 7 (2013) 7in. The screen is extremely bright and high ppi (retina). $199. Don't waste your money on Apples name. I have a retina iPad air and Nexus 7 - the Nexus is much more readable in direct sunlight.
 
I don't have a chartplotter, but I do use my phone (4" screen) and a GPS software for boating called EarthNC for Android devices. I also use a Compass function that is satellite based from my phone as well.

I would head for a multi-function device like a tablet or iPad; only downside is you lose depth sounder functionality (which some of you don't have/need anyway due to having other gauges/devices that give you that information).

Hope this helps!
 
Scott9000 said:
If you want to go the tablet route I would suggest the Nexus 7 (2013) 7in. The screen is extremely bright and high ppi (retina). $199. Don't waste your money on Apples name. I have a retina iPad air and Nexus 7 - the Nexus is much more readable in direct sunlight.
Click to expand...

That was not my experience - my Nexus 7 was less bright than my iPad 3 - and my iPad Air is brighter than my iPad 3 was. See pictures on my link below. The Nexus 7 looked more washed out than the iPad in glare situations.

http://www.marine-review.com/2013/01/review/electronics/ipadandroid-tablets-on-boatsa-good-idea/

But none of them was any good for anything else than backup where I am with 350 days of full beam sunlight per year.
 
I think you reviewed the Nexus 7 2012 model. The newer 2013 model is MUCH brighter (I owned both) 583 NITS.

56527.png


However, I do agree with your conclusion and the reason I got a dedicated chartplotter they just aren't bright enough at the moment.
 
Last edited:
For what it's worth, I use my Nexus 7 tablet as my GPS. Had garmins and lowrance on my previous boat, but wanted to avoid drilling holes. I am beyond happy using the tablet. It also streams music via bluetooth to the stereo. Stays dry behind the windshield, and is in a rubberized "otterbox" type case.
 
this may be worth mentioning.....i have read where people using a tablet for navigation have three problems to address....
1. water/moisture resistance
2. glare from the sun
3. shutting down from the heat from the sun

just this past WE i was installing a new fuel level sending unit in my boat while my wife was net surfing on her ipad on the dock in the sunshine....i heard her say 'that's weird'....when i asked her what was weird she said her ipad had just shut down with a message on the screen saying the unit had overheated and needed to cool down.....that could be a problem if you were in unfamilar waters and the tablet shut down from overheating.....maybe other tablets do not have this problem.....

cliff
 
I agree with the extra $200 for a 7 inch screen. I'm a Standard Horizon guy myself. I have the 190i (5") that replaced my (dead after several years) SH150 because I was in a pinch and needed a bolt on and go. For $450 with a $50 MFG rebate it suitsed my needs and my budget. A good friend once told me.... Get the biggest screen you can afford and get a good brand. He was right. I actually use my iPad 3 as a primary and the SH as a backup. The extra screen real estate is amazing and really cuts down reaction time. Garmin, SH, Lowrance, Ray......... Whatever you go with, make sure you have the capacity to integrate and expand.

Check eBay and amazon. Sometimes they have reman sales.

Good luck.
 
I have just started using the tablet...so far, no worries from heat, water, glare.
It is on my dash, and is somewhat protected by the windscreen. Also in a weatherproof case.
I carry my garmin colorado with nav charts as a back-up. But to this point, I am happy and don't miss my Lowrance GPS unit.
 
FYI< the phone options are 'nifty' backups, but not true GPS. They are cell tower based and not as accurate as I would want when on the water. When you're trying to find an ice cream shop from your SUV, it's a great tool, but not something I'd want to rely on in unfamiliar waters.

I have the 545s and it's great for my boat and what we do. It came out before the 740s, otherwise I may have gone for it. Since however the 545s has been replaced with the 546s. As Jim (owner here and of BOE marine) if he can match this deal ($544 + free shipping) my buddy just found. I'd rather support Jim when possible here as he hosts this great site.
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-Receiver-Dual-Frequency-Transducer/dp/B002JM5IOA

BOEs price. $744.50
http://www.boemarine.com/garmin-gpsmap-546s-dual-frequency-combo-w-tm-transducer/
 
Most phones have true GPS in them (almost all) AND use cell phone triangulation as backup when GPS is off or unavailable. The newest chips from Qualcom used in Samsung etc have GPS, Glonass, and BeiDou (china) support.
 
dpmulvey said:
My iPad is blue toothed to a GPS Puck.
Click to expand...
Good add on.

Scott9000 said:
Most phones have true GPS in them (almost all) AND use cell phone triangulation as backup when GPS is off or unavailable. The newest chips from Qualcom used in Samsung etc have GPS, Glonass, and BeiDou (china) support.
Click to expand...

That's true, but many people I have run into have a year or two older iPad that did not have the built in chip. Either way, I will rely on the GPS and the 8-10 satellites it's looking at for true accuracy.
It's how we get through tight spots. :) I'm on the far left.
[video=youtube;w-uT0CCMwCU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-uT0CCMwCU[/video]
 
There is some confusion up here.

All iPads that have the cell capability have a built-in GPS chip that functions without any cell connection, the iPad doesn't even need to have a service for the GPS to work.

All iPads that are wi-fi only must have an external GPS ("the puck") to use GPS functions off wi-fi. The GPS will work in populated areas without a contract connection by getting coordinates from cell or wi-fi connections.

Age of the iPad has nothing to do with the GPS function, this is how it was all along. Either iPad GPS is accurate, my Garming and my Ipad with Navionics are right in lockstep with one another. The heat issue is real and if it has not happend to a boater it will, the helm is just to hot in the sun for the iPad. It does not have to be 100 degrees either, just sunny.

MM
 
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