Garmin GPSMAP 3010C

[jimp]

I'm investigating a 1990 Boston Whaler 31 that has 1990 electronics: Furuno radar amd fathometer, plus autopilot, trim tabs, but no ice maker or GPS. Not wanting to spend a fortune, I'm searching used GPS units on eBay and Craigslist. I do not want a combination chart plotter and fish finder. I don't want the transducer hassle right now, maybe in a few years, that's why a used unit is in order.

I've always liked Garmin and would like a 10-inch display--the eyes aren't what they used to be. I have been seeing a number of Garmin GPSMAP 3010Cs available for $600 to $750. Thoughts or advice? Thanks.

JimP

[conch]

I think that Garmin is a good choice, however I would skip the 3010c and look at the 42xx series of MFD. The 4210 is in your price range and later you can add the options you want. The charts are built in,and you only need a power cord and GPS antenna to be good to go. A lot of the used units for sale include the power cable, cover, and mount along with the antenna.
Chuck

[jimp]

conch -

Thanks. That's the type of idea I needed.

A trivia question that I've had for years. With a MFD (combo chartplotter and fathometer), can you run the unit without the fathometer transducer installed - just use the chartplotter? "Way back when" you were told to never run your fathometer out of the water, always a hassle for trailer boaters if you forgot to turn it off.

JimP

[conch]

The Garmin 42xx MFD (multi function display) does not have sonar ability until a blackbox (GSD-22/GSD-24) is used and connected to the Garmin marine network along with a transducer. So using it as just a standalone chartplotter is fine. You can add optional features later, fuel usage,sonar, radar, AIS/DSC etc. Check the Garmin website.

[jimp]

conch -

Thanks. I haven't figured out the "adding features later". I'm still old school and grew up on RDFs, LORAN A, and consolan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonne_(navigation)).

I looked at the 42XXX, has potential.

JimP

[Peter]

The 52XX is the touch screen version of the 42XX. I currently have a 5208 and previously had a 4208. I like the touch screen better. I use the 5208 as a chart plotter and radar display. I use a Garmin 740S primarily as a fishfinder but it also serves as a backup chart plotter and backup radar display if the radar is plugged into it. The two units trade basic data via an NMEA 2000 network connection. The width of the 52XX is an inch or two smaller than 42XX because it doesn't have the keypad.

[jimp]

Peter -

Thanks. My brother-in-law (guess that would make him my sister's hubby) has a 23' Pursuit with the 4208 - very nice.

The difficulty I have with the boat I'm looking at is 1990 Furuno radar and fathometer (there's an empty bracket where maybe a GPS once was). So I don't want to interface 1990s stuff with much newer stuff. Thus the stand-alone chartplotter might be the answer.

The 52XX looks pretty swift (lots of plugs in the back!).

Famous last words... My ulterior motive is to sell my 1990 Revenge 22 and 1995 Ford F-350 crewcab with powerstroke diesel (currently on the Marketplace) and buy the 31 and a used AWD vehicle for a zero-sum. Maybe I can do it.

JimP

[Peter]

Peter -

Thanks. My brother-in-law (guess that would make him my sister's hubby) has a 23' Pursuit with the 4208 - very nice.

The difficulty I have with the boat I'm looking at is 1990 Furuno radar and fathometer (there's an empty bracket where maybe a GPS once was). So I don't want to interface 1990s stuff with much newer stuff. Thus the stand-alone chartplotter might be the answer.

The 52XX looks pretty swift (lots of plugs in the back!).

Famous last words... My ulterior motive is to sell my 1990 Revenge 22 and 1995 Ford F-350 crewcab with powerstroke diesel (currently on the Marketplace) and buy the 31 and a used AWD vehicle for a zero-sum. Maybe I can do it.

JimP

So what I would do in your situation is that if you like the Garmin (I like the Garmin interface of the 42XX/52XX series) then get the largest display you can fit where that empty bracket is. The 42XX series came in 8, 10, and 12 inch sizes. The 52XX series came in 8, 12 and 15 inch sizes.

I would continue to use the Furuno radar assuming it works well and then at some point replace the Furuno radar with a Garmin radar antenna such as an 18 xHD or 24 xHD getting rid of the old Furuno radar. The Garmin radar will give you the benefit of a very usable radar overlay on the chart while you are moving without having a heading sensor. You could also later add another 42XX or 52XX multi-function display as well as their network switch and this setup would allow you to display the charts/radar on either or both displays. Basically more flexibility in what you see and where.

[jimp]

Peter -
Thanks. Hadn't thought of putting something in now that I could add to later. Guess I should get smarter on this stuff!

[Peter]

Yes. You can build out a system over time as funds permit. Below is a screen shot from the 5208 showing the radar image overlay without any heading sensor. This capability is already built into the 42/52XX. Just add a Garmin radar antenna and you have it.



When I was fitting up new electronics for the current boat three years ago I was trying to keep costs low and because they are flush mounted I had some space constraints. I looked at Raymarine's 9 inch touch screen model, the Simrad 8 inch and the Garmin 5208. The only one of that bunch that did the overlay without a heading sensor was Garmin. I leaned heavily towards the Garmin because I just liked the interface better. The downside to the 42/52xx series is it required a separate sounder module if you wanted to see the fishfinder on the 5208 screen. The Raymarine and Simrad units had that built-in. I didn't have a very good place to put that module on the boat but because I wanted the Garmin interface I opted for a 740s with its built in finder as the second display instead of another 5208. Actually bought the 740s as a package with the 18HD radar antenna and then plugged the 18HD antenna directly into the back of the 5208.

[jimp]

Wow! Pretty slick!

Thanks.

[Peter]

I went from this



The Furuno 16XX chartplotter/fishfinder combo was junked (user interface was horrible). ICOM 504 radio was moved to cabin and ICOM Command mic added to pick up all radio functionality on microphone while still having it mounted in sight like before.

to this




Bought used and wisely, I bet you could get the same type of system for well under $2K. Similar setup with all current modeld would probably be close to $5K. I don't think it would do the things $3K better.