Garmin vs Raymarine

MinaMina Member Posts: 43 ✭
in Rinker News & Updates
Looking for opinions on which is preferable for my 2004 342 Fiesta Vee “The Wilhelmina”.  The LOWRANCE - GLOBALMAP 3200 is shot so I’m looking to replace. Options that I’m considering are below.

RAYMARINE - AXIOM 7 DV Multifunction Display with CPT-90DVS Transducer and Navionics+ Charts   or   GARMIN ECHOMAP Plus g3 74cv FF/Plotter with GT23 Transducer & Offshore g3 Charts.

Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
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Comments

  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,014 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Ive never used the raymarine.  The past 3 years ive rented boats on vacation, all 3 have had the Garmin with echo map.  It is very user friendly with accurate gps and charts.  

    They have all been the smaller 5 inch model (i think called 4.3 now)  but i liked it enough to put one on my rinker.  


    I also like the detailed sonar, I'm not great at fishing but on the local lake it will keep me from losing an anchor in an underwater forest.  The cheapest divers on the lake are the rescue crews who are training a new diver, they need dive hours to get certified.  Its a minimum of 100 bucks to get them out.  

    Im interested in seeing how it does on the puff mud bottom of our lakes, it does terrific on the grass/coral/sand of the keys.



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  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Had both Garmin and Raymarine used only for GPS route guidance. Liked the Raymarine better. Is Raymarine U.S. manufactured and Garmin manufactured abroad. If so, for me Raymarine hands down. Buy America!!!!!
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  • RiverRat232RiverRat232 Member Posts: 596 ✭✭✭
    Michael T said:
    Had both Garmin and Raymarine used only for GPS route guidance. Liked the Raymarine better. Is Raymarine U.S. manufactured and Garmin manufactured abroad. If so, for me Raymarine hands down. Buy America!!!!!
    American made is a huge plus in my book.
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  • MinaMina Member Posts: 43 ✭
    edited February 2020
    It appears that Garmin units are manufactured in Taiwan and Raymarine units are from the UK. So, if that is correct, it boils down to quality and ease of use.
    Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
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  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As far as ease of use it would be the garmin.
    Must say you are comparing much different units.
    The raymarine is a touch screen and a network unit can add radar or other screens. A 9 inch will fit in the dash. What about the garmin 9sx
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,755 mod
    Most boat owners stick with one or the other.  Do some reading on www.panbo.com.  Those guys are experienced boaters who know their stuff and are brand-agnostic.  
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  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like that the Raymarine offers units that are dual input - both touch screen and rotary/push knob for days when the hull is riding waves and it's hard to use a touch screen. I like the Navionics chip for the Raymarine. I found the software for the Garmin quite inaccurate as compared to the Raymarine and I used a new Garmin in 2013 and a new Raymarine in 2014 over the same routes. FWIW
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