[C320-list] Chartplotter Garman 172C vs Raymaine 435i

[Jeffrey Hare]

Hello,

Obviously this is my opinion, to take that as you may:

I've used both (and still use) both Garmin and Raymarine plotters.  There is
a lot to like about the Garmin.  Garmin's have traditionally had a better
and easier user interface.  I was very happy with my garmin, but the
integration with my autopilot always felt like a hack and there was no
access to the rest of my instruments.

Raymarine's new generation of Chart plotters have easily eliminated the
usability difference.  The New generation Raymarine plotters are now just as
straight forward as Garmin's, and allow displaying all kinds of information
gathered from the other instruments.

I would recommend (for a number of reasons) the Raymarine plotter over the
Garmin these days.

1) Ease of hooking into Seatalk.  (With garmin, you'll get minimal
integration with the rest of your system, but it does work to drive the
autopilot).

2) It's now easy to upload/down data to a PC from RayMarine if you're into
that since they now provide a free utility for that.

3) Raymarine chart plotters show you data from other instruments like
apparent wind angle arrows on the chart, etc...  (I also like seeing the
Tide/curent direction angles on the chart which eminate from the boat symbol
and help you easily see drift and wind angle effects.)

4) Route building is just as easy as Garmin.

But:  If I were to pick a low end RayMarine plotter, I would choose a C70
over the 435i because of the spin knob and softkey function buttons.
They're really great and make entering names, coordinates, and selecting
options way faster than hitting up/down arrows (which you have to do on the
garmin's and raymarine 435i.)  The softkeys make it really 

The other advantage of also allowing you to later install radar and have
radar overlay and optionally a depth sounder is also a nice Raymarine plus
for the future.  You could get this with Garmin, but you'd need a higher end
unit.

So, if you choose a C70, or other Raymarine plotter that allows radar or
other features, purchase the radar connector cable and have them hook it in
at the same time, leaving it coiled up down below for the future to make
radar install super easy later.  (wiring the pods is not something you want
to do frequently).

I think the additional $200 for the C70 is more than worth it.  If I were to
do it again, I'd go with the E80 because of the ability to use platinum
charts with 3d.

All that said, Garmin plotters are nice, but they've lost their advantage
over the RayMarine's in recent years.

-Jeff Hare


-----Original Message-----
From: June Bruce [mailto:brucestanley36 at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2006 6:41 AM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Chartplotter Garman 172C vs Raymaine 435i

Hi All
I am urgently trying to decide on buying a Garman 172C (Aust $1250) with 
EastCoast Australian Blue Chart or the
Raymarine 435i for approx Aust $ 1750 with the NavionicsGold Chart.

The Sydney Boat Show is on now and these are Boat Show Special.

Any advice and comment appreciated.

Note I have ST60 TriData, ST60Wind and Raytheon ST4000 pilot.
I do not need Radar or Fish Finders.

Cheers
and Thanks

Bruce Stanley, C320 Fantastic Lady #1084  Sydney Australia