Best Marine GPS Units & Chartplotters in 2022

Last update: December 4, 2022

Are Navionics and Garmin the same?

No, Navionics and Garmin are not the same. Navionics is a company that produces electronic charts for marine navigation while Garmin is a company that produces a wide range of GPS devices for both automotive and marine navigation.

Can I use a tablet as a Marine GPS?

Yes, you can use a tablet as a Marine GPS, but there are some things to keep in mind. First, make sure the tablet is properly mounted so it doesn't become a distraction while you're driving. Second, be aware that some tablets don't have as good of GPS reception as others, so it's important to do your research before you buy. Finally, make sure you have a backup plan in case your tablet battery dies or you lose reception.

Can I use my phone as a chartplotter?

Yes, you can use your phone as a chartplotter. There are a few apps that you can download that will allow you to do this. One of the most popular is the Navionics app.

Can you use a marine GPS without a transducer?

Yes, you can use a marine GPS without a transducer. However, the GPS will not be able to provide you with information on water depth, bottom contours, or fish location. For this reason, most fishermen prefer to use a GPS with a transducer.


TUSITA Sun Cover for Garmin Striker Plus 4 4cv (NOT Support Striker 4 4cv 4dv) - Silicone Protective Case - Fishfinder GPS Accessories Review:


I needed a cover that will fit well and safeguard my screen while being stored. Both of those needs are met by this cover. I'm pleased I chose this option because I've read way too many complaints about the hard plastic Garmin cover. The display's front and sides are shielded by a soft silicone cover. Additionally, to hold it in place, the back includes a 1/8" lip. If a boat was moving at top speed without any wind protection, I'm not sure if it would remain on, although few covers could. This will be used when I take the finder out of my kayak and put it away.



Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 53cv with transducer, 010-01798-01 Review:


The unit is great thus far. I bought this to replace my Vexilar FL-20, which I sold, and to use on my kayak in the summer as well as on the ice. I placed the echoMap 53cv and the GT8HW-IF ice fishing transducer in the portable kit from the Striker 4 that I already owned. The kit ran for 7 hours with plenty of juice left over when I installed a 10ah SLA batteries; however, I had the brightness set to roughly 70%. The graph mode performed flawlessly when tested with A-Scope and the flasher mode, however I much prefer the graph mode. You can zoom in to the bottom 4 feet and up in 1 foot increments, and it displays the live view and history so you can see movement in the lines and how fish reacted to presentation. My decision to upgrade from my Vexilar was made easier by the built-in lake maps and GPS. With the GPS and lake maps, my Marcum LX-6 is comparable to a Marcum on steroids. I'm looking forward to utilizing this on my kayak on wide ocean. I am incredibly happy with my buy.



ESYWEN Key Finder, Phone Finder Item Tracker with Bluetooth, Anti-Lost Alarm Item Locator for Pets, Keys, Backpack, Phone, Wallet Review:


This will be a big assistance to me because I frequently misplace my keys. My 4-year-old son always conceals my keys, but thanks to my phone, I can finally find them. Additionally, if you leave your phone down while you're out and start to walk away from it, both your phone and your keys will begin to beep, which is a significant benefit. Additionally, you may connect it to your home WiFi to enable it to recognize the location where your phone and keys may be separated. Overall, it's a great tiny device that fits in your pocket without protruding. It's little, about the size of a keychain.



Garmin TOPO US 24K Southeast - microSD/SD Review:


For an upcoming out-of-state trip and OHV trail excursion, we bought this. I like how detailed the maps are even if I haven't yet used them for navigation. The routable paths, rural roads, national, state, and local parks, woods, conservation areas, and Wildlife Management Areas/WMAs in particular. This particular detail will spare my wife, who acts as our navigator, from having to ask for directions.



Garmin Echomap Chirp 74Cv with transducer, 010-01801-01 (Renewed) Review:


Although the gadget was new, it arrived in a refurbished Garmin packaging. in addition to the transponder!Excellent value for the money, and it includes the Garmin cover.Problem with the screen's backlight: To turn on the device, hold down the power button for at least three seconds. Do not quickly press the power button multiple times to turn it on; doing so may cause the screen to become dark (I had to cover the screen with a blanket to prevent the sun in order to see what was on it). Simple fix: adjust the illumination in the system.



Navionics Plus Regions East Marine and Lake Charts on SD/MSD Review:


I'll start with what I don't like: the cost. It shouldn't be this expensive. This industry needs more rivalry.Everything else is something I like. Though I've only had it for a few months, it already has much more features than I could possibly use. And I enjoy that I can update it frequently for a whole year. Suitable for use with my Lowrance Hook9. Excellent product.



7-inch Navigation System for Cars, Car GPS Spoken Turn- to-Turn Vehicle GPS, Lifetime Map Updates Review:


does the required work plus a few extras.



Garmin Echomap Chirp 74Cv with transducer, 010-01801-01 Review:


This is something I installed on my Seaswirl Striper 1851 Walkaround boat, and so far it's been amazing! Simple menus with a screen that is lovely and bright make it easy to read (even in the sun). The plastic mount has a wonderful, substantial feel to it. An excellent safety and anti-theft feature is that the entire device simply pulls out of the plastic mount so you can take it with you when you park your boat. It already had maps for Hawaii (though my last unit did show more points of interest). I often troll for fish in Hawaii's offshore waters. I adhered to the given directions for the appropriate angle and other things, and I placed the transducer at an acceptable distance from my primary outboard motor. It simply functioned out of the box! Overall, a fantastic value given the cost and feature-set.



Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Waterproof Marine GPS and Chartplotter Review:


I haven't seen the newest Garmin marine handheld GPS, but I adore this one! features a built-in NOAA chart that displays depth, breakwalls, land, etc. on the screen. Despite the small screen, this is a handheld device! It always gets us to the spot when I use it to go fishing on other people's boats. Additionally, I identify huge pools of water on streams in Colorado using it along with Google Earth because I couldn't find them without a helicopter. Enter the dates dd mm ss in Google, then drive/walk to the location by following the arrow.


Can you use a tablet as a chartplotter?

Yes, you can use a tablet as a chartplotter. There are a number of apps available that will allow you to do this, and they can be very useful in a variety of situations. For example, if you are out on a boat and need to plot your course, a tablet can be a great way to do this.

Do chartplotters have GPS?

Chartplotters do have GPS, which is what allows them to plot the course of a vessel. The GPS signal is used to determine the position of the chartplotter, and the chartplotter then uses that information to plot the vessel's course.

Do chartplotters show depth?

Chartplotters do show depth, but they don't show it in real time. The depth is displayed on the chartplotter after the boat has passed over the area.

Do you have to pay for Navionics every year?

No, you don't have to pay for Navionics every year. You can pay for it once and have access to it forever.

How do I choose a marine GPS?

There are a few things to consider when purchasing a marine GPS. First, decide what features are most important to you. Do you need GPS for navigation or for fishing? What type of screen do you prefer- LCD or touchscreen? How important is battery life? Next, compare prices and reviews of different models. It's important to find a GPS that fits your budget, but don't sacrifice quality for price. Finally, make sure to purchase from a reputable dealer to ensure you're getting a quality product.

Is there a free marine navigation app?

There are a few different marine navigation apps available, but not all of them are free. The most popular free app is MarineTraffic, which provides users with real-time AIS data from over 150,000 vessels worldwide. Other popular apps include Navionics and iSailGPS, which both have free and paid versions.