Fixed GPS Screen Resolution

[MSN-Travelers]

I've searched and read just about every thread on the various GPS's discussed here. It looks like the most significant changes to the units on the market today are internal antennas and higher resolution screens. The internal antennas do not appear to add any significant cost; however, the higher resolution screen does.

Does anybody have practical experience with units that have 640Vx480H vs. 320Vx240H resolution?

An example would be an Eagle 502C series vs. Eagle 642C series. Both have internal antennas and appear to be identical in every way except the screen. Is it worth an extra $100+ for the higher resolution?

Paul

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Having owned both sizes, I would never go back to the lower res unit. not only do you have 4 times the pixels, you also typically get a larger area screen as well when you go with a 640x480.

In a practical sense, even for the same screen area, the extra resolution lets you zoom out to a larger area and still be able to read the display because you have more pixels to deal with. Being able to see a larger area, particularly what is ahead, gives you much better situational awareness as the say in the pilot world. You can be more aware of danger ahead and also will find it much easier to relate what you see on the chart to what you see around you.

The higher res screens also let you give up portions of the screen for other functions or information without loosing so much area that you can't interpret the chart anymore. On a 320x240 screen split for sounder and chart the usable chart area is just a small sliver that greatly reduces it's usefulness. On a high res unit what was a useful full screen chart on a 320x240 unit will fit in a box on the 640x480 that only takes up 1/4 of the screen. Split the screen for sounder and chart and you still have twice the pixels for the chart display that the low res unit has.

I do agree that the larger screen size and resolution units cost more, but many mfg (Lowrance / Eagle being the leaders and Garmin being the laggard) are producing hi res units that are a great value. That's why I snapped up my Eagle Seachamp 2000c DF last summer when Boaters World had it on $599 closeout. It's 7" screen is fantastic and the price was below many of the low res units.

For a $100 I would get the high res and not look back. You won't regret it.

[James V]

I have the little handheld Garmin 76Cx and it does fine execpt a 15 mph.

Please note that these boxes are rated as waterproof execpt where the fittings are at the back and it is recommended that some protection be provided there.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The plugs on my Eagle all have 'O' rings as part of each plug to seal the opening when the cable is plugged in.

[beene]

I have the same unit as Duane and can't see how water would get in there. Besides, I remove it when leaving the boat so it's not like it's sitting in the poring rain. I have been motoring in windy conditions without a full enclosure or dodger of any kind, water was being blown in the cockpit and I was getting soaked, GPS had no issues with the water all over the back.

[vkmaynard]

We have the Garmin 276C. Very high resolution and easily fits on the MacGregor console. When we bought the unit three seasons previous we thought the screen might be too small. However, the high resolution more than makes up for the size. Additionally, the 276C can be used in the car, where it probably gets more use.

Do not get a low resolution unit.

Victor

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The Garmin 276c is a halfway hi-res box at 480x320. Better than their 320x240 units with twice as many pixels, but still only half the pixels of the 640x480 units from Lowrance and Eagle.

[Teejay]

I also have the Garmin 276C. I'm happy with it for the most part, but here's a question:
In order to use the sonar fu@ with this unit, you have to purchase a "sounder module" and transducer, for about another $350.00 (cdn) over and above the GPS. And I have no idea what the power draw is. Is it worth the price, or would a $100.00 fishfinder from WallyMart do the trick? I'm just looking for depth readings.

Any thoughts?

Teejay

[James V]

I have a stand lone depth sounder. The tricky part is instaling the transducer. Do a search. The unit was only $ 100.