When you are out fishing on the water, you need something to save you time and effort to plot all your favorite spots. This is where a very useful GPS plotter will come in handy to provide you with this time-saving option every time.
In this review, we will take a look at some of the best GPS chart plotters to make your fishing easier and navigation much safer. So, keep on reading to find out what these devices have to offer for the serious fishermen out there.
Best Marine GPS Chartplotter Reviews
Echomap UHD 64Cv Keyed Chart Plotter By Garmin
This fast and easy mobile GPS unit makes it easy to use while on the move to keep you up to date all the time. It also comes with many extra features included to give you a crystal clear image of what is going on below your boat.
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You have a very clear scanning capability with this GPS chart plotter from Garmin with a GT24 transducer built into the device. It will provide you with ultra-high-definition sonar images together with the wide CHIRP sonar for a clear picture of the environment.
Many extra features are included with this unit to make your navigation so much easier, such as the Echomap UHD 64Cv. It also comes properly protected, with the cover included to keep it safe from accidental damage while it is in use.
It also comes included with network support for autopilot and engine data to make navigation easier and quicker. All hardware is included with this package to make it simpler to set up and use on your vessel without the need for extra expenses.
This marine chart plotter is preloaded with Bluechart G3 coastal maps for the US to make your navigation even more manageable. However, you need to get an SD card for inland regions and lakes because it is not included with the unit.
Even though this unit comes with a large 6-inch screen for a clear display, it does not come with touch screen capability. This will take away some of the versatility of the marine chart plotter provided by Garmin.
Pros
- Comes with a large 6-inch combo display
- It comes preloaded with coastal charts
- You can read the display in bright sunlight
- Accurate target separation with CHIRP sonar
Cons
- It is not a touch screen GPS unit
- You need to get an SD-card for the region you are fishing in
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Cruise-9 Chartplotter From Simrad
With a very friendly interface and easy-to-read display, this chart plotter is easy to be used by even those without any previous experience. It is designed and made for the beginner as well as the expert chart plotter in mind, making it a versatile unit.
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The intuitive menus included with this chart plotter make it easy to navigate your way through the features included with this device. It allows you quick access to all the information you need without wasting your time while you are on the go.
This is the right device for those who need a simple but thorough chart plotter with easy and straightforward GPS navigation. Everything else you need for chart plotting is included in the box, making it a complete unit to use for all marine chart plotting.
Simrad Cruise comes with all the US coastal maps preloaded to make your chart plotting so much easier and quicker. It also supports enhanced maps provided by C-Map as well as those coming from Navionics, making it even easier and more fun to use.
It is also easy to use this GPS unit outside the US with an easy upgrading option for worldwide marine charts and more. The drawback is that the charts are only available in the US, so you need to get them for every region you want to navigate in.
This unit comes with a very sturdy build, making it strong and durable to last for a long time for many hours of chart plotting. But, it does not have a proper cover included to protect the screen against accidental damage while navigating in harsh conditions and environments.
Pros
- It is straightforward to be used by beginners
- Has very large display screen included
- It is sturdily built to last much longer
- This is a complete package for marine navigation
Cons
- There is no screen cover included for protection
- Comes with preloaded maps for the US only
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Garmin GPSMap 78sc Marine GPS And Chartplotter
A versatile unit is what this chart plotter from Garmin is, making it easy to use on the go by all water sport enthusiasts. It is also upgradable to be loaded with more marine maps for all areas and harbors around the US to increase your navigation range.
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With a battery life of 20 hours, this unit will not quickly leave you stranded with a nonresponsive unit while out on the water. This makes the unit a bit more reliable and provides you with peace of mind while you are out navigating.
This chart plotter is very accurate when it comes to depth indication and can be safely used for navigating even in shallow water. The high accuracy of the GPS unit makes it is safe to use for chart plotting and navigating, adding to this device’s usability.
It is great to use for fishing spots, so you can quickly return to the high-yield fishing areas without wasting time. It will also accurately update the water’s depth when that changes, making it much easier and safe to use.
With the Waas-enabled GPS receiver and Hotfix satellite prediction included with the Garmin chart plotter, it will be very accurate for plotting as well. It will also quickly and precisely maintain your position even when you are in a heavily covered area or in deep canyons.
Unfortunately, the display of this unit is a bit small, so those who do not know the area may find it difficult to navigate accurately. Another negative point is there is no hands-free option to mount it.
Pros
- Comes with a long battery life
- Thousands of charts are preloaded on it
- It is waterproof to international standards
- A very accurate chart plotter for navigation
Cons
- This unit comes with a very small display
- No clip is included for mounting options
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GP1972F Plotter And Chirp Sounder From Furuno
This chart plotter from Furuno comes with many nice features included to make chart plotting easier and more fun. It also comes with new connectivity technology to make it easier to use with different devices to improve the overall user experience.
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The large 9-inch display makes it very easy to navigate the menu to provide easy access to all the features included. It is also easy to use the unit because it has a user-friendly interface and large maps for faster and easier navigation options.
Furthermore, it is compatible to be used with a wide range of transducers to improve the overall versatility of the device even further. It also comes with an internal antenna, making it much easier to connect to all of your devices.
With quick and easy WiFi connection options, you can be securely connected to your network without any problems. It is also compatible with smartphones, making it easy to stay connected while navigating the water.
With a lightweight and compact design, it is easy to use the device out on the water without it becoming too cumbersome. Also, when it is not in use, you can easily store it out of harm’s way thanks to the device’s thin, compact design.
Unfortunately, the C-maps it needs to navigate are not included with the device, so you need to get them separately for the navigation to work. It may also take some time to set this device up with all the necessary maps you need for overall navigation and chart plotting. When you buy this device, you are pretty much on your own.
Pros
- Comes with WiFi connectivity included
- Is compatible with all smartphones
- It is made with a lightweight and compact design
- This device has a large display for easy readability
Cons
- There is no customer support with this unit
- All C-map charts are sold separately
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GPSMAP 8610xsv Chartplotter And Sounder From Garmin
Reliability and peace of mind are what you get when you buy this Chartplotter provided by Garmin for all your navigation and plotting. It is also loaded with nice features, including reliable and secure WiFi connectivity so you can stay connected on the go.
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The bail mounting included with this unit comes with easy knobs for a quick and easy mounting option with no wasting of your time. This means you can set it up in only minutes when it is time to go out and navigate your way on the fishing waters.
With a sun cover included for your device, it will be easy to read the display in even the brightest daylight out there. This will make your map reading so much easier and not waste your time, even while it is mounted.
For the newest Garmin radar connections, you can use the quick and easy Ethernet connection and stay connected. This means you have all the latest information available and at your fingertips for quick and easy navigation.
For a complete setup, you have everything included in the box to get your device ready for navigating and plotting. However, there is no transducer included with this unit, meaning you will have to get it separately, which will cost you extra money.
Also, the Chartplotter from Garmin can only be used in English, meaning no other languages are supported on this device. This will take away some of the usability and versatility of the GPS unit from Garmin. It also will take some time to get used to the operation, even if you have instructions included with the unit.
Pros
- Comes with an easy bail mount option
- A sun cover is included with this device
- Easily connects with any Garmin radars
- You have everything included for a complete setup
Cons
- Can be used in English only
- It will take some time to get used to
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Conclusion
The Simrad Cruise-9 Chartplotter comes with all you need to plot your course and navigate safely, including a transducer, making it the best option. With a slightly lower price tag attached, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 64Cv comes in very closely in the second place, as it is loaded with great features.