Gpsmap 7215...cheap!

Baker said:

It is not like this model is 10 years old. There is plenty of support for it and it was bought brand new from an authorized dealer. Not only is there support, there is a warranty!!!

Hey windmist, what is your opinion of touchscreen???

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The 7215 model was released in the 2011/2012 timeframe and from what I can tell the newer replacement model have built-in GPS and sounder functions and probably have a faster processor and of course costs 5 to 6 thousand for a single display.

If money where no object, I'd have gone for the Furuno TZTouch displays but I would have had to add around $10K to the pot to get what I have.

As far as the touchscreens go, I think I like them. Most actions seems to require at least two touch's, like creating waypoints in a route, but it goes pretty fast.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with Garmin support and would say they are better than Furuno's support. I used them quite a bit to get my existing transducer to work with the new sounder and to ask if I could cut the GPS cable so I could route it though a small hole. They said no, but I did it anyway and it works just fine. I mean it's digital, not analog so why not?

That's a great looking bridge, Ron!

Thanks Al. That means a lot coming from my hero.....

LOL. Ya, right. Now that you don't have the Seahawks to look up to!

Wow. Very nice setup. I only have one screen.

What is the reason for multiple screens? My radar overlays over my plotter so I can see the utility of two screens I guess, but three?

Are you running a different Nav system on one of them it looks like?

Looks to me that he's displaying radar, plus raster, and vector charts.

Oh yeah. Forgot about the raster/vector difference.

Do many here use both raster and vector? I never used paper charts much before so not used to all the data-- the vector is more pleasing to my eye.

Center display appears to be PC screen (Windows) running Coastal Explorer.

cardude01 said:

Wow. Very nice setup. I only have one screen.

What is the reason for multiple screens? My radar overlays over my plotter so I can see the utility of two screens I guess, but three?

Are you running a different Nav system on one of them it looks like?

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The center display is running Coastal Explorer which I prefer for creating routes and is my main navigation tool. The display was already existing as can be seen by my "before" picture earlier in this thread. It is new as the old display couldn't be turned on & off any longer so it was a good time to replace it.

I like a separate radar display if I have the room and I do on this boat. I find radar overlay is too cluttered to use in heavy fog which occurs a lot in the summer up north. I don't want to run over a kayak or small fishing boat. I never let fog stop me from going out and this new gear makes it even safer.

No doubt, I did go overboard on this equipment but this stuff was just too good a deal to ignore, as I was thinking of upgrading my electronics anyway.

Glad you like it.

I don't think you went overboard. I just wasn't sure what was on all this screens. I think it's bad ass! Like an airplane cockpit now!

I've had to piece together equipment from numerous sources, and while their not shiny new monitors, I still consider it a "serious" helm.

To help with the fingerprints and such, there is a spray glass cleaner that is recommended by various LCD / LED display manufacturers called Stoner's Invisible Glass. I use it on all my displays, including iPhone, iPads, etc.

Just spray it on and wipe it clean with a low lint towel or cloth.

Wally world an lots of other places carry it for $4 or so per can.

healhustler said:

I've had to piece together equipment from numerous sources, and while their not shiny new monitors, I still consider it a "serious" helm.

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Heal Hustler,

You take boat porn to a new level...

stubones99 said:

Heal Hustler,

You take boat porn to a new level...

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Lets face it. We all like great "equipment".

healhustler said:

Lets face it. We all like great "equipment".

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Agreed!!!!