Where would you buy electronics?
Larry Weiss
procrastinating, but now I have to do it before March 30th to get their
$200 factory rebate. I can get it from 3 local dealers at the same
price of $1249.00. West Marine is five minutes away and I'm in that
store every week for something or other. Skipper has a showroom 20
minutes away. And Freeport Marine is 35 minutes away. I like Freeport
Marine because they're a small family operation of serious boaters, and
they've been around for decades. But they are out of the way. West
marine is so close, and I can return it for any reason, but nobody there
seems to know what they're talking about. Skipper's advertising gives
me the "willies". Any suggestions out there? Is it worth the trip to
Freeport Marine? Anybody have any problems buying electronics from West
or Skipper?
Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"
Rick
Larry Weiss wrote in message <36F5A580...@ix.netcom.com>...
Larry, I bought my GPS external sensor from West while I was in Orlando last
month. I know you have done your research so even if the employees don't
have the answer, what is it you need to know. They probably have the best or
one of the best return policies going. They will match any price going and I
believe will match for a period of time after you buy. I know nothing about
the Skipper place. I'm pro West as their electronics buyer from California
went out of his way to assist me with my purchase and info. I had requested
on hand held units
Rick
Pielbruce
>Well, I'm about to buy the Garmin 215 chartplotter<snip>West Marine is five
minutes away <snip>Skipper has a showroom 20
minutes away.<snip>Freeport Marine is 35 minutes away.
You'll find the most expertise at Skippers and they have a beat any price
policy so you will save more there. Freeport is good but much more expensive
and West is West, a marine supermarket.
-Bruce
CJ Webber
prices and service. Their Garmin sight is at
http://www.atlanticrt.com/garm.htm
If you decide not to get it from Atlantic Radio, I would get it at Freeport
and support the smaller company.
zzg...@my-dejanews.com
Garmin GPSMap 180 $655, Most catalogs seem to have this in the $580 price
range.
In article <7d4ln7$266$1...@camel29.mindspring.com>,
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Larry Weiss
zzg...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> I dont know about service, but price is high..
>
> Garmin GPSMap 180 $655, Most catalogs seem to have this in the $580 price
> range.
>
The Garmin 215 is a more expensive unit than the 180. It has more features and
built in DGPS. I haven't yet found a better price that $1249.99.
Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"
Arthur Stacy
I prefer Skipper for my electronics. I'm about half way between
them and Freeport. I have worked with Chuck at Skipper in the past and
he knows his stuff. As far as pricing I have found them to run about
even with every one else in the area.
Just my .02
Kinja
Larry Weiss wrote:
>
> Well, I'm about to buy the Garmin 215 chartplotter. I've been
> procrastinating, but now I have to do it before March 30th to get their
> $200 factory rebate. I can get it from 3 local dealers at the same
Phantom
Someone from the GPS forum said he had good service from this company.
Aloha! Ken Tanaka
Larry Weiss <lil...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:36F655C7...@ix.netcom.com...
Rick
Larry Weiss wrote in message <36F655C7...@ix.netcom.com>...
>
>
>zzg...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
>
>> I dont know about service, but price is high..
>>
>> Garmin GPSMap 180 $655, Most catalogs seem to have this in the $580 price
>> range.
>>
>
>The Garmin 215 is a more expensive unit than the 180. It has more features
and
>built in DGPS. I haven't yet found a better price that $1249.99.
>
>Larry Weiss
>"...Ever After!"
Larry, did you check out D&B's web site. Bob Goddard has that unit on for
$1005. after rebate.
Rick
>
SIJackie
it seems you have, my two cents worth of advice is to buy it at a place with a
good return policy. I often buy equipment at Boat/US or West Marine because
they never quibble about (1) matching any other verifiable price, or (2) taking
stuff back for ANY reason.
I never expect the help at these stores, or any of the other ones, to know any
more about what I want to buy than I do. The people who work there are just
like me: recreational boaters trying to make a few bucks on the side. Do your
own research and you'll be happier in the long run.
Jim St. John
cents worth.
I recently purchased a 215 from West, even though they didn't have any chart
cartridges to demo the unit with. After acquiring two cartridges, I have to
say that I am *extremely* disappointed with the performance of this unit.
Specific complaints:
At chart ranges of 1 mile or less, response time to cursor movement is
pathetic. Individual presses of a cursor button produce a small cursor
movement, but the unit takes almost a full second before it's ready to
recognize another press of the button. For example, if I press the 'down'
arrow 5 times in quick succession, it will drop the cursor a bit, pause
about a second, drop it again, pause, etc. During this whole time other
cursor movement operations are impossible. Pressing and holding a cursor
movement key isn't much better, sometimes it moves immediately, other times
it does nothing for several seconds then moves. As notes, the more zoomed
in the chart display is the more pronounced is this effect. Accurate cursor
positioning is quite maddening. At times it seems as if the unit has simply
stopped responding to button presses.
The main reason I went after a vector chart unit is the relative lack of
clutter in the display. Basically I am primarily interested in identifying
areas where draft exceeds depth. The Garmin chart cartridges offer 3
choices of depth contour display "shallow", "medium", and "deep". No
explanation of how these terms translate into more conventional units.
In my area, the Florida Keys, even limiting the display to just the
"shallow" contours frequently produces a jumbled tangle of intersecting
lines on the display. Even though the depth contours themselves shouldn't
overlap, areas such as "cable areas" are displayed along with the shallow
depth contours, and when zoomed in fairly close, it's impossible to
distinguish one from the other. Also there is no means of determining the
actual depth of the displayed contours, except by often widely spaced values
(often so widely spaced that none are visible on the screen when zoomed in),
nor is there a way to determine which side of a depth contour is the shallow
side. This is compounded if you are also displaying a route or a track.
The new cartridges include "information" icons that allow access to specific
information about services at various marinas, etc. Nice, but there
doesn't appear to be any way to selectively remove those icons from the
display, so when you are in an area with many facilities in close proximity,
the screen is cluttered with these information icons, obscuring a large
portion of the chart display. Also the information data base does not
include telephone numbers!
Chart re-draw time is disappointingly slow. As a result of the limitations
pertaining to the depth contour display mentioned above, I frequently find
myself having to zoom out several steps to get a handle on the depth
contours, and this frequent zooming, as well as scrolling when you scroll
off-screen very far, becomes very time consuming due to the long re-draw
times.
My unit includes the built-in DGPS beacon receiver. Unfortunately the
correction data is not available as an output. This would have been nice
(and not difficult to do) as it would have allowed the 215s beacon receiver
to provide correction data to other on-board GPS receivers.
Also with regard to the beacon receiver, it has to be manually tuned to the
appropriate beacon frequency. There is no provision for automatic tuning,
or for scannning the beacon band to locate available signals. (And
virtually no information in the manual pertaining to the beacon receiver.)
And lastly, although this was not a surprise, Garmin's alphanumeric input
process for waypoint names is ridiculously time-consuming. I would much
much prefer the "telephone keypad" method to garmin's.
On the plus side, I consider the display legibility to be good, fixes are
solid, acquisition times are fast. The unit is disappointing primarily due
to software that isn't quite ready for prime time, and a very anemic
processor.
And BTW, I share your opinions with regard to West and Skipper. When I
talked to the folks at the West store about my concerns I was basically
given a shrug and a suggestion to "call Garmin".
-jim-
Larry Weiss wrote in message <36F5A580...@ix.netcom.com>...
Bruce C. Patterson
I recently bought the Garmin GPSMAP 215 and the GBR-21 Differential Beacon
Receiver and a Navionics G-Chart cartridge. I have the same complaints wrt
extremely slow cursor response when zoomed in fairly close. I called Garmin
customer service and was told that they were aware of the problem and a fix
is in the works. They said to call back next week to request the fix. They
will then mail out a G-Chart cartridge to temporarily insert into the GPSMAP
215 that will update the operating system software. I don't know if this
will completely solve the response problem or not. It may be as you say,
that the processor is just too slow. That will be very disappointing since
I really like the high resolution display. I plan to call back, request the
fix and give it a try. One can hope...
Thanks,
Bruce Patterson
Florida Panhandle
patt...@nuc.net
Jim St. John wrote in message ...
FixinBones
>
>I recently bought the Garmin GPSMAP 215 and the GBR-21 Differential Beacon
>Receiver and a Navionics G-Chart cartridge. I have the same complaints wrt
>extremely slow cursor response when zoomed in fairly close. I called Garmin
>customer service and was told that they were aware of the problem and a fix
>is in the works. They said to call back next week to request the fix. They
>will then mail out a G-Chart cartridge to temporarily insert into the GPSMAP
>215 that will update the operating system software. I don't know if this
>will completely solve the response problem or not. It may be as you say,
>that the processor is just too slow. That will be very disappointing since
>I really like the high resolution display. I plan to call back, request the
>fix and give it a try. One can hope...
>Thanks,
>Bruce Patterson
>Florida Panhandle
>patt...@nuc.net
>
Jay
Fixin...@aol.com
Formula 400 SuperSport
JDavis1277
Jay,
I don't understand your comment. The Garmin 215 is a fairly high end
recreational GPS device.
Are you infering that price has no bearing on quality? Or, that you should buy
electronics from a full service dealer at a higher price?
Thanks, Butch
Larry Weiss
about. The manager of the shop tried to switch me from the Garmin to a Simrad
CP32 unit, citing the very same problems with the Garmin that Jim mentions. At
first I thought it was some sort of bait and switch routine, because Skipper is
pushing the Simrad very heavily. However, I spent a good deal of time playing
with the Garmin demo, and I concur with Jim's post. What's more, I actually
liked the Simrad a lot. It's screen processing was just about as fast as the
Northstar 951XD (blowing the Garmin away), and the features were easy to use.
It only has an 8 channel GPS. (The Garmin is 12 channel, but there are rarely
more than 6 or 7 satellites around at any one time anyway). It was priced
around $1800, in between the Garmin and the Northstar. Not a lot of places
sell Simrad products (a good reason for Skipper to push them - they don't have
to match or beat prices). Anyone know about Simrad? Is the CP32 worth it?
Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"
CJ Webber
Email sa...@atlanticrt.com We sell plenty of Simrad CP-32's and I would say
that it is worth the extra money.
Larry Weiss wrote in message <36F7D5BC...@ix.netcom.com>...
Arthur Stacy
noticed the lag in the Garmin as well. What I know about Simrad is that
they are a large player in the commercial field and are just starting to
move into the recreational boater area. My job requires that I ride a
couple of Tugs and Ships entering N.Y. harbor each year. These vessels
are equipped either with the North Star or the Simrad. My way of
thinking is if its good enough for a tug in N.Y., it will work fine for
me. I have also spoken to several Sandy Hook pilots as well as N.Y.
docking pilots. They all place the simrad in the same league as the
North Star. Hope this helps.
Art
Larry Weiss
end recreational GPS device, it is the least expensive of the products available in
its category. The Northstar is over twice the price, the Simrad and most others
are priced in between the Garmin and Northstar. I liked the Garmin because it came
close to doing what the others did at a substantially lower price. Now, I think I
may be ready to to pay a little more.
Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"
Steven Shelikoff
>
> I think Jay is referring to the fact that although the Garmin 215 is a farily high
> end recreational GPS device, it is the least expensive of the products available in
> its category. The Northstar is over twice the price, the Simrad and most others
> are priced in between the Garmin and Northstar. I liked the Garmin because it came
> close to doing what the others did at a substantially lower price. Now, I think I
> may be ready to to pay a little more.
Uh oh, don't tell me your comparing Garmin to Bayli.... I guess not.
Steve
--
/ / /
\ \ \ mailto:shel...@averstar.com
/ / /
Phoenix
--
--
Jim
Windoze isn't crippleware - It's "Fuctionally Challenged"
FixinBones <fixin...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990323203838...@ng136.aol.com...
| Larry,
| What is Skipper's address and phone number.
| Jay
FixinBones
Larry Weiss
On Long Island they are in Seaford, on Sunrise Highway a bit east of
135. The address is 3838 Sunrise Highway. 516-221-2600. Their
national headquarters is in Mundelein, Il, 847-566-1800. Their 800
number is 1-800-SKIPPER.
Note that I'm not recommending them (yet). I'm still a bit leery of
their sales and marketing tactics.
Larry Weiss
"...Ever after!"
FixinBones
>high
>end recreational GPS device, it is the least expensive of the products
>available in
>its category. The Northstar is over twice the price, the Simrad and most
>others
>are priced in between the Garmin and Northstar. I liked the Garmin because
>it came
>close to doing what the others did at a substantially lower price. Now, I
>think I
>may be ready to to pay a little more.
>
>"...Ever After!"
>
Larry,
say its the best GPS/plotter on the market winning two NMEA awards for best
plotter. Yes it has a few short comings but all in all its a slick piece of
equipment.
If you're looking for a great plotter and don't want to spend a fortune I
would suggest the 951x without differential which can be bought for $2,199
through VIT electronics.
Jay
Jay
Arthur Stacy
> >
> Larry,
> I couldn't have said it any better!!!!!! I purchased the 951XD and I can
> say its the best GPS/plotter on the market winning two NMEA awards for best
> plotter. Yes it has a few short comings but all in all its a slick piece of
> equipment.
> If you're looking for a great plotter and don't want to spend a fortune I
> would suggest the 951x without differential which can be bought for $2,199
> through VIT electronics.
> Jay
>
> Jay
Having tried all 3 units side by side in the store I would take the
Simrad. It was $1,750 with the differential. Worked as well as the
North Star for my needs. To me having a chart plotter demands DGPS.
Where I boat the error without it could show you on land. When in a
narrow channel, or unfamiliar area I want the more precise position
information on my chart. Just my .02
Art
Jerry Bransford
you in an area where the corresponding differential transmitter is also
located? This is what gives it the additional accuracy... a
differential GPS receiver is only a standard GPS receiver unless it's
corresponding differential transmitter is close-enough.
Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL KC6TAY C.A.P.
The Zen Hotdog... make me one with everything!
Arthur Stacy
Cape Cod and Cape May so coverage is not an issue for me. Larry is in
the same area I am so would not be an issue for him either. I will
recheck at work tomorrow but I believe I had read that differential
coverage would cover most coastal waters by the year 2000. I'll check
that and let you know.
Art
Jerry Bransford
load for me. Could you please provide it's URL? My own experience with
differential GPS is for flying where it's needed for IFR (precision)
approaches and a differential transmitter must be at (or near) the
runway... and so far, they are not common. I wasn't aware that there
were differential GPS transmitters for boaters all over the place.
Regards,
Art
>
> Art, that's good information. But the webpage you attached didn't fully
> load for me. Could you please provide it's URL? My own experience with
> differential GPS is for flying where it's needed for IFR (precision)
> approaches and a differential transmitter must be at (or near) the
> runway... and so far, they are not common. I wasn't aware that there
> were differential GPS transmitters for boaters all over the place.
>
> Regards,
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> PP-ASEL KC6TAY C.A.P.
> The Zen Hotdog... make me one with everything!
Jerry,
Sorry about the URL. I'm kind of new at this computer thing. I got
the info at the U.S. Coast Guard web sight. Further reading also
revealed that the system went fully operational on March 15th of this
year, at least as far as coastal navigation. I'm sure it won't be long
before the coverage expands inland. Gonna try that link again.
http://www.navcen.uscg.mil/systems/default.htm
Art
FixinBones
>Simrad. It was $1,750 with the differential. Worked as well as the
>North Star for my needs. To me having a chart plotter demands DGPS.
>Where I boat the error without it could show you on land. When in a
>narrow channel, or unfamiliar area I want the more precise position
>information on my chart. Just my .02
>
> Art
>
Comparing units in the store may give you some idea of how it will performin
the real world but its a far cry from testing the unit out on the water. My
friend has the Simrad CE32 and notes that the Northstar's screen has much
better clarity and readability in direct sunlight.
Jay
Formula 400ss
Art
It probably does. I understand what you are saying. Un fortunately
short of buying and installing all three, trying them in the store is
about the best we can do. At least by trying them one can get a feel
for the way the unit functions. I was originally looking at the Garmin
till I saw for myself the scrolling problem it had. As with any
purchase one has to apply a cost/benefit decision process. IMHO the
Simrad comes out on top for me. I will live with the sunlight issue.
To me it is the lesser evil when compared to the Garmins poor scrolling
and the North Stars high price. Again it comes down to you get what you
pay for. I think any of us who have messed around with boats for awhile
recognize the trade offs.
Now if I could just come up with the winning Lotto numbers......
Art
mal...@gmail.com
www.providenttechnology.ie/catalog
Any feedback would be greatfully appreciated.
Best regards,
John Malone
Provident Technology