Garmin 7215 "Touch Screen" Chart Plotter and Garmin Auto Pilot

[Big Moe]

Hello Fellow Sailors:

Does anyone have any experience with the Garmin touch screen
equipment? I would like to switch my Raymarine system over to a touch
screen Garmin unit but I cannot find anyone who has Garmin equipment
installed.

Thanks,

Big Moe

[Jeffrey]

I have installed Garmin set ups on client's boats.... I would not trade my
Simrad in for anything...not that the Garmin is bad it's just that I think
the Simrad NSE or B & G line is far better...IMHO

Jeffrey Schwartz

Hello Fellow Sailors:

Thanks,

Big Moe

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[Jim Martin]

Last winter I installed a Garmin 740s chart plotter and then this summer Garmin GWS-GMI-10 depth, wind & speed instruments. These replaced a Standard Horizon CP-170 chart plotter and Standard Horizon 50 series depth, wind & speed, most of which had become balky, hard to calibrate and well, just old. It was a fun novelty suddenly having the fastest monohull on the lake that routinely showed 19+ knots on the water speed indicator. The Garmin NMEA2000 network was pretty easy to install and all components either self-calibrated or were very easy to calibrate. The screens are bright and easy to see.  The chart plotter  is fast and the touch screen functions are easy to use. I was tempted to add the HD radar bundle but, since we are on an inland lake, it was probably overkill for a 32 foot boat. Also, the cost of a good radar mount would have nearly equaled the cost of the radome.

We kept the Raymarine 4000+ wheelpilot, which still works pretty well on our sub-10k pound boat. I'd consider the Garmin autopilot if the 4000+ ever dies, but it costs twice what we paid for the 4000+ .

Comparing our 7" 740s with a 15" screen costing 4x the price  may not be a good analogy, but I'm very happy with Garmin's touch screen chartplotter & instruments.

There was an article in the November Cruising World that discusses the convergence of multifunction displays with music files. After I get where I can the hear music suggested in the thread David Mackintosh started, I'll chime in on that. (Y'all may hate my alt-country, bluegrass & rock suggestions!) Then maybe we can discuss our music players again.

Jim

_ _

Jim Martin

Peachtree Laser, Inc.

404-352-2565

email: mailto:ptl...@bellsouth.net

website: peachtreelaser.com

[Dale]

We had a 5215 touchscreen on our last boat (47.7) and now have a 4212
(36.7). I like the display quality, features, ease of external
component integration, ease of software updates and NMEA 2000 features
for reliability and would recommend it for cruising. NMEA 0183 is also
easy. We used MapSource software to upload and download routes and
waypoints. Today, you'll be better of using HomePort software for
uploads and downloads of routes and waypoints. I also recommend the
BlueChart Vision data cards for your area.

For racing, I think the units draw too much power, create excessive
heat and are not designed with the racer in mind. While you can adjust
screen brightness to reduce the power/heat issues, I think its better
to go with traditional suppliers who have a sailboat in mind during
product design. We've added a PC fan to our electronics cabinet and
will send our 4212 back to Garmin this winter for heat related
repairs.