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I'm sure I'm not the only one trying to decide between the newer 4210 and the 3210 Garmin. Can anyone list the differences and pros/cons between 4210/3210? I'll list the ones I know:
*4210 glass screen is an upgraded screen and less fussy than 3210 (fogging issues on the 3210)
*Autoguidance with the G2 Vision chip on the 4210, which to me seems could be a huge feature, and the main reason I'm considering the 4210
*3D Mariners view with the G2 Vision chip on the 4210
*Sat views with the G2 Vision chip on the 4210
*4210 requires more depth for mounting due to both unit size and stiffer cables. It also requires about 1/2" more cutout required. But it is easier to flush mount the 4210
*Obviously, the cost difference between them
*I like the looks of the 3210 better, but that's always personal preference
*NMEA2000 vs NMEA1083. A pro for the 4210 IF you need it
*Improved GPS17x NMEA2000 antennae with more mounting options
What other differences am I missing? Credits to Jim/BOE for his earlier review of the 4210. Also to Glenn E for his review. One question... Glenn E mentioned being able to manipulate waypoint naming. Exactly how can that be done and what did he mean by that? I've always wanted more digits available to differentiate between waypoints. Once you start getting a bunch of waypoints in the machine, it gets tough to tell them apart with only a limited number of digits. Has Garmin taken care of this problem with the 4210?
Anyone else have any details as to differences in the two units? Or likes/dislikes of either? Tom, any comments??
Just trying to put all my thoughts down in writing and summarize and share them so maybe it will help others too.
I just went with the 3000 series over the 4000 series. To me I want a chart plotter. I don't need ariel photos. The GSD22 will work with both. To me it was a matter of $600-700 for a glass screen and higher resolution as I even found the vision and 3d features to really slow down the 4000 series unit and not relevant to my fishing. I also went with the old bluechart software as the new g2 charts as supportively it has less "Clutter". That less clutter meant less detail to me. Being I was pleased with my last 3010c, I put the $700 towards other options on the boat and stuck with the 3000 series unit.
just my thoughts as a basic fisherman. Heck I may even use the savings to get a windlass
That's what I thought. I assume that was the intent of the question. Had me thinking I'd have to buy a new VHF for a second there. But then it hit me Garmin wouldn't make it incompatible with almost all the VHF's out there.
Hi Tom. What are your thoughts on 4210 vs 3210? Very much value your opinion. Made any runs to the Rock lately? Thinking of going Fri or Saturday, but from the reports, sounds like no need to make any long runs. Might try NW Places or Big 10.
*640 X 480 TFT vs 600 X 800 SVGA, so better resolution on the 4210
*Can connect a PC to the 4210, not the 3210
*Can connect a video camera to the 4210, not the 3210
*4000 waypoints on the 3210 vs 1500 on the 4210
*50 routes on the 3210 vs 20 on the 4210
*13.1 X 8.8 X 3.25 for the 3210 vs 13.4 X 8.9 X 4.2 for the 4210, so 4210 is a bit larger
*3210 uses Garmin data cards vs 4210 uses SD cards
Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this. Trying to use this to gather all the info in one place.
the 3210 will take a video camera
the glass screen on the 4210 is indestructable - the 3210 is still the old reflective screen that will flake sooner or later without a screen film. With the slightly diminished clarity of a screen film on the 3210, the diff in clarity and resoultion of the 3210 and non film 4210, the 4210 is dramatically better....
I like the 4000/5000 series mfd but with that said the 3210 bundles are hard to beat. I still ahve a 2206 on my Whaler that has severed me well for four years but I also have a Garmin 545. I will say this ... think to the future there are some new enhancements that will materialize over the new 6 to 12 months in regards to 3-D functionality and weather.
You don't need a port expander either for the 42xx, compared to the 3210, correct? That saves some cost if you have XM, GSD22, radar.
For the money, I'd rather have a 4208 than a 3210, but that is probably because I have a 4208. I've used a 3210 quite a bit, and the screen smudges bug me. Especially since guests always wanted to point to (on) the screen and leave a fingerprint.
I think you're right about not needing the GMS10 port expander with the 42xx series. It has three inputs on the back, so if you only have XM (GDL30A), GSD22 and radar, you should not need the port expander. But Tom is the expert here, so he can confirm this.
I think you're right about not needing the GMS10 port expander with the 42xx series. It has three inputs on the back, so if you only have XM (GDL30A), GSD22 and radar, you should not need the port expander. But Tom is the expert here, so he can confirm this.
JB
correct - I had all that on a 3010 and was able to dump the port expander with the 4210
q3131a, did you ever figure out how to get full screen video. I assume it would be the same process to get full screen on the 3210 as well? If I can get my daughter to watch a video while I fish, could increase my fishing time during the week!
I have a 3010 and a 4208. I don't see any difference in the ability to mount either unit, except for the added depth required for the 4208. The 3010 generates a lot less heat.
Get your daughter a $200 dvd player and tell her it only works on the boat. She will pretend she believes you!
__________________ If it ain't broke, I haven't played with it.
Has anyone tried the feature on the 4xxx/5xxx series that lets you plug in the species you want to fish for, and it tells you where to go to fish? At least that's what I was told today by a salesman. Said the Garmin rep showed it to them this week. Didn't see it work, so I'm just repeating what I've heard here. Sounds like maybe the units have some type of preferred temp database built in, then uses the XM SST data to determine best temp range and/or breaks and contours. Just a guess, but it it really works, I'd assume that's what it would be doing.
I'd also guess that the 3xxx series would not have this included.
The 4x00 series has better sat weather. The 3x00 series stil has random lines showing the temp breaks where the 4x00 series shows actual pockets of water that is color coded.
I love my 3010c - but I will add a 4x00 series as soon as I can!
Garmin 4210 vs 3210 
