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I am in the market for a new GPS/Fishfinder/XM Weather unit and i had pretty much decided on the 3010 setup with fishfinder and XM weather add ons. What advantage besides built in bluechart does the 3210 offer over 3010? Do you still need the network expander with the 3210?
I can't really tell you anything about the 3210.....
If it is the same as the 3010 with built-in blue charts, then you will need the network expander if you plan on using the sounder, XM weather/audio receiver, and/or the radar.
As far as the built-in charting goes, it depends on what the upcharge is for this. If I could buy a couple of pre-programmed charts for less, then I'd stick with the 3010.
supposedly the new 3d charts will fit in the 3010 but acc to garmin tech. they don't work "as well" as the 3210...I think the big news is the digital FF no longer hard wires into any chart units and is avail only thru the network..so you need at least a 3000 series to use it...
i was told by gamin tech support, via email, that the 3210 "processor speed is much faster at redrawing and faster at responding" when compared to the 3010. he also implied that the 3d view won't be available in the 3010c, but that contradicts what i read on the garmin website. when i sent back an email asking him to quantify the difference in processor speed, he kind of backed off, stating:
"It will have a faster processor, but I wouldn't [say] that it will be much faster than the 3010. I tried to find the processor speed for the 3210, but that specification isn't available at this time..."
soooo, on the one hand he says it is "much faster", and then on the other hand he says "I wouldn't say that it will be much faster..."
i've had really good experiences with the garmin people in the past, so i'm just chalking this one up to me being impatient for information that isn't out yet. i didn't even ask him about the descrepancy in info about the 3d view. i'm going to wait and see exactly what the 3210 can do with my own eyes when compared to the 3010 before i make the purchase. the other thing to consider is the $$. the 3010 was just reduced in price at places like west marine from $2500 to $1900. jim at boe has indicated that he expects the 3210 to sell for less than $2k. it sounds like if you don't really need the unit right now, you're better off waiting as there is likely money to be saved.
also, when i read the garmin website, it does sound like you're not going to need the network expander with the 3210 like you do with the 3010, but again, they make this as clear as mud. i guess patience is the key here.
I can't really tell you anything about the 3210.....
If it is the same as the 3010 with built-in blue charts, then you will need the network expander if you plan on using the sounder, XM weather/audio receiver, and/or the radar.
As far as the built-in charting goes, it depends on what the upcharge is for this. If I could buy a couple of pre-programmed charts for less, then I'd stick with the 3010.
You do not need the network expander to run the GPS and a sounder or GPS, a sounder and the XM weather/audio receiver. You only need it when you use all of the above and the radar.
however since the new digital sounder will be network only, if you want the sounder +gps and any other one unit (WX or radar) you will need the expander...
Garmin 3210?
IGFA Certified Observer
