The Boating Forum - GARMIN 2006/2010 vs. RAYMARINE c80????

OPINIONS ON THESE UNITS? I WILL BE INSTALLING ON A 22'

I looked @ both the and bought the 2010c Garmin it's just more intuitive to use. All these units can be found @ great prices now as new models are out. I believe the C-80 can be linked to Radar the Garmin 2000 series can not. Check with Yachtjim @ BOE for great deals. He did have some remanufactured Raymarines @ great prices.

I have a Garmin 2006C and it is prone to "screen fogging" . This occurs, on my unit, when the sun directly hits the screen and will eventually fade away in 20 minutes or so. I understand this is a common problem with the 2006C and 2010C units. Do a search. My GPS was installed in December of "05". The irony here is the screen IS VIEWABLE in direct sunlight.............until the fogging renders screen unuseable.......UGH !!!

When I "upgraded" from a Garmin to a NorthStar, we shelled out some cash . . . then I really could not tell much difference. Refresh rate, ease of use, integration features were all pretty similar. So I was beginning to think that all electronics are probably of similar quality now . . . I was wrong.

I went on my buddy's go fast, Euro express boat. I almost fainted when I heard the price of the 33ft. boat. But then I almost fainted again when the standard electronics set-up was raymarine. Tried the unit out. I couldnt' believe how weak the screen was. Contrast was terrible but more importantly, "refresh" rate was so slow that on a fast boat like we were on, we would go a good distance BEFORE we found out "where we were".

I would highly recommend the Garmin

And there were FAR too many screen options that a typical user would NEVER USE. What's the point???

If you have the "dash space" I would always opt for a seperate radar monitor that is "linked" to the GPS or autopilot if you choose to get one.

the raymarine c80 compares much closer in price & features to the 3010c than the 2010c. the 3010 has a better screen (brighter & clearer) & the ability to display radar, weather, video, as well as network cability for multiple stations. i believe the 2010c is going to be discounted further in price over the next few months. if you don't need/want radar, weather, video, then save yourself some money and get the 2010c, otherwise, compare the c80 to the 3010c, or the new 3210 coming out in a few months. also, i hear they are going to be introducing big updates for the c series raymarine stuff over the next few months, so either way, you should wait until spring before you buy imo.

Thanks chainsaw.
The boat I am buying comes with Furuno 1650. But it is a 6" monitor and very hard to see. Also it seems a little outdated with the graphics and screen capabilities. I will wait on the new updates for the C series or maybe go with Garmin. I like Garmin's ability to have radar weather with the XM radio. That way I do not have to install a radar tower.