Nauticpath vs Bluecharts vs Navionics Classic/Gold maps

[itwonder]

I'm finding the maps are a big factor in the final hardware + maps cost of the mid-price chartplotter/combos I'm looking at. Which map system is best for the money?? Some units on my short list:

Lowrance LCX-26 HD: Lowrance Nauticpath and topo maps (I think) preloaded on HD. Excellent 640x480 display. Nauticpath maps good enough??
Garmin 192C: Bluecharts preloaded on HD is very attractive, but so-so 320x240 display is a turn-off. Good price.
Lowrance LMS-337C: Uses Navionics Classic or Gold. Which one?? Excellent 480x480 display. No HD. Low price.
Raymarine A65: Navionics "Silver" preloaded. Silver not listed on Navionics site. A65 pushes top of my budget.

I didn't mention C-maps. Seems like few of the newest mid-price units with displays better than 240x320 are using C-maps, so I have not really focused on them.

Thanks,
Bob

Dusky 233FC

[NauticalSmiles]

The Standard Horizon unit's use Cmap, and their prices are quite reasonable. I know Jim at BOE had the CP175 for $475 and the CP150 for even less.

You'll be pleased with the SH units if you look at them. Very reliable, FAST, and good support from SH.

[itwonder]

While I have not yet seen the Standard Horizon, I know they use a 5" 320x240 pixel display, as do many other brands. But the newest models from Lowrance use a 5" 480x480 display, and the higher price 7" is a 640X480 display. These have better clarity and are brighter than the older technology 320x240 displays.

[kerno]

I have a Garmin 2010c that uses Bluechart and a Humminbird 687c Combo side scan and plotter that uses Navioncs Gold. PowerBoat reports did an article on the two formats and chose the Navonics. I almost cancelled my subscription! I think the Bluechart is vastly superior to the Navionics. My Bluechart looks like a chart. My Navionics lacks detail and the depth contours look like they were drawn at random. Make sure you look at both charts for your area and base your decision on which one works well enough that you'd be prefer to navigate with on a foggy night.

[ngirolamo]

My LMS337c DF uses the Navionics Gold add on chip,, works great,, i love it,, there is now a Navionics Platinum chip,, In my opioion its better then the chip form lowrance,,

[itwonder]

Thanks guys...this is the kind of information I need. Frustrating thing is when I go to stores or boat shows around here to try 'em out all they have are the base maps in the various units. Makes it hard to do a realistic comparison.

[Drifter]

Try to look at the maps on the manufacturer's websites to get a better feel. It's been a couple of years since I shopped electronics, and technology changes. But at that time, Bluechart was the most attractive-looking chip to me, as they looked the most like a laminated paper chart. (I really like the Bluechart Bathymetric chip for offshore use.) In addition, Garmin's units seemed to be the most user-friendly.

I have a Garmin GPS and a Lowrance combo GPS / Sounder, and use the Garmin as the primary GPS and the Lowrance as the sounder (with it's high pixel count). The GPS on the Lowrance is used for backup only (if / when needed), as I simply don't like the charts as well. Both work fine, so personal preference is the deciding factor.