Hi all,
Does anyone have experience with this unit?
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... toreNum=3]
What is the collectives thoughts about:
Internal antennaes?
Proprietary mapping software?
The price is right or not?
Joel
M68C S/Map Fishfinder Chartplotter
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Frank C
I have an old Lowrance LMS-160, map & sounder. I bought it because it included the mapping software (back then ~$700) and I still like it a lot. Lowrance still has the best price for combined map/sounder units. I'm not sure the one you linked is limited to "proprietaty software," and don't fret over internal antenna. I've never had need to use mine below decks.
Even though they now make you buy the software separately I'll probably choose Lowrance again - maybe a model that's a little nicer than the 68c. There was a good discusion thread on this forum just recently - search on "Lowrance."
Even though they now make you buy the software separately I'll probably choose Lowrance again - maybe a model that's a little nicer than the 68c. There was a good discusion thread on this forum just recently - search on "Lowrance."
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Wa2paa
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:20 am
- Sailboat: Other
- Location: Burnt Store Marina "Punta Gorda Florida" Odin 820 "Mast28" w/Honda 75
- Contact:
Re: M68C S/Map Fishfinder Chartplotter
[quote="jmann"]Hi all,
Does anyone have experience with this unit?
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... toreNum=3]
What is the collectives thoughts about:
Internal antennaes?
Proprietary mapping software?
The price is right or not?
Hi Joel,
I don't have any experience with that unit, but I'am not crazy about a device you can't populate with any special area chart. Browsed thru the short-cut pdf file, and saw all 174 pages. My Opinion - Save your money .. Purchase something Else ! Seems to general as A Fish Finder, Ice Fisherman, General GPS. Etc. Etc with no ability to add Charts...
I purchased the RayMarine RC400 last year, and have had months to work with it.
Display is Outstanding, I am able to view it in the height of the Day "Very Sunny" Your Right : Small Size is Outstanding: Very Portable, as I have addded a 12 Volt Cig. Lighter Plug to the Helm Station, and makes Temp Install a snap.
Note: Internal Ni-MH Batteries (4) AA 2300 Ma, just dont last very long, but good for emergency use when total portable.
Note: Built in Antenna, very sensitive and suitable, just dont use it below deck.
Note: Mounting hadware good, great for Temp Instalation, or Use Mini-Bungees. Navionics Gold XL Chart Cards , a bit expensive $199.00, but combo charts are handy.
Note: ( Front Buttons, with all of its (Sub-Menus) take some time to get used to. I guess it is just like any other unit.
Problem: Being 57 Years young, and needing reading glasses doesn't help using a 3.5 Inch TFT Display. So in Summary Quality Good, Usability Good, but Small Size if you wear Reading Glasses is a problem.
I use it on My "Mast 28" purchased last year, and pack it up, for use on Rented Boats in Florida, when traveling. Good luck with you choices $
Jack: Central New Jersey
Does anyone have experience with this unit?
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... toreNum=3]
What is the collectives thoughts about:
Internal antennaes?
Proprietary mapping software?
The price is right or not?
Hi Joel,
I don't have any experience with that unit, but I'am not crazy about a device you can't populate with any special area chart. Browsed thru the short-cut pdf file, and saw all 174 pages. My Opinion - Save your money .. Purchase something Else ! Seems to general as A Fish Finder, Ice Fisherman, General GPS. Etc. Etc with no ability to add Charts...
I purchased the RayMarine RC400 last year, and have had months to work with it.
Display is Outstanding, I am able to view it in the height of the Day "Very Sunny" Your Right : Small Size is Outstanding: Very Portable, as I have addded a 12 Volt Cig. Lighter Plug to the Helm Station, and makes Temp Install a snap.
Note: Internal Ni-MH Batteries (4) AA 2300 Ma, just dont last very long, but good for emergency use when total portable.
Note: Built in Antenna, very sensitive and suitable, just dont use it below deck.
Note: Mounting hadware good, great for Temp Instalation, or Use Mini-Bungees. Navionics Gold XL Chart Cards , a bit expensive $199.00, but combo charts are handy.
Note: ( Front Buttons, with all of its (Sub-Menus) take some time to get used to. I guess it is just like any other unit.
Problem: Being 57 Years young, and needing reading glasses doesn't help using a 3.5 Inch TFT Display. So in Summary Quality Good, Usability Good, but Small Size if you wear Reading Glasses is a problem.
I use it on My "Mast 28" purchased last year, and pack it up, for use on Rented Boats in Florida, when traveling. Good luck with you choices $
Jack: Central New Jersey
-
Divecoz
- Admiral
- Posts: 3803
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 2:54 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: PORT CHARLOTTE FLORIDA 05 M Mercury 50 H.P. Big Foot Bill at Boats 4 Sail is my Hero
I have yet to learn much
I have yet to learn much with mine as my daughter droped it off yesterday. . . . .
I bought BTW the Lowrance LXC 19 C and ifinder H2O with the 19 among other things is MapCreate USA 6.3
Lots of neat stuff and possibilies with these 2 units . Net-work around you'd be surprized sometimes who you know who can get you a deal on something.
Good luck with your choice.
I bought BTW the Lowrance LXC 19 C and ifinder H2O with the 19 among other things is MapCreate USA 6.3
Lots of neat stuff and possibilies with these 2 units . Net-work around you'd be surprized sometimes who you know who can get you a deal on something.
Good luck with your choice.
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Theo
- Engineer
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:18 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Hi,
If I remember correctly, the M68C was recommended to me when I bought my Mac. Sounded like an excellent deal, a combo fishfinder GPS unit in color at an incredible price. Too good to be true? Depends. To get the M68 C down to the price point, Lowrance omitted a way to update the map. There is no PC interface or card slot.
I called Lowrance to check and sure enough, the map cannot be changed and only covers the continental US. So if like me in SoCAl or someone up in Puget Sound or Texas or Florida or The Great Lakes, if you leave US waters you fall off the map. It still works as a GPS but with no background map!
Doublecheck this as I made my deciasion about one year ago. I opted instead for an Eagle (Lowrance) SeaCharter combo unit. It is monochrome and the incuded background map is very light on detail, but it can be upgraded and customized. No operational problems.
Theo
PS Lowrance claims to make an M68 I. Supposedly this is the international version. I have no idea where to find it though. I pretty much declined when it became clear the M68C could not interface with my PC.
If I remember correctly, the M68C was recommended to me when I bought my Mac. Sounded like an excellent deal, a combo fishfinder GPS unit in color at an incredible price. Too good to be true? Depends. To get the M68 C down to the price point, Lowrance omitted a way to update the map. There is no PC interface or card slot.
I called Lowrance to check and sure enough, the map cannot be changed and only covers the continental US. So if like me in SoCAl or someone up in Puget Sound or Texas or Florida or The Great Lakes, if you leave US waters you fall off the map. It still works as a GPS but with no background map!
Doublecheck this as I made my deciasion about one year ago. I opted instead for an Eagle (Lowrance) SeaCharter combo unit. It is monochrome and the incuded background map is very light on detail, but it can be upgraded and customized. No operational problems.
Theo
PS Lowrance claims to make an M68 I. Supposedly this is the international version. I have no idea where to find it though. I pretty much declined when it became clear the M68C could not interface with my PC.