Standard Horizon CP175c Chart Plotter

NautiMoments · Post by **NautiMoments** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:05 am

Does anyone have experience with Standard Horizon chart plotters? Particularly the CP175C http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS. ... Archived=0 I am interested in a chart plotter that runs C-Map vector charts. I have looked at the computer solution but am not sure I want to run laptop for GPS, plotting and running the autohelm.

Chip Hindes · Post by **Chip Hindes** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:39 pm

Can't say anything about the GPS you're asking about, but I second the notion of not using the laptop as a GPS/Autohelm driver. Besides the visibility and waterproofness problems from the helm, the laptop draws far too much power to be run continuously unless you're motoring most of the time.

I use mine to view maps on the larger screen and for plotting routes, then upload to the GPS and shut it down.

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:54 pm

Don't know anything about the Std Horizon GPS. That's a nice looking unit at only $700. But it will cost another $400 to add the depth finder, and when I upgrade, I'll be looking to spend less. You must already own the C-Map cartridges, right?

NautiMoments · Post by **NautiMoments** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:27 pm

Chip Those are my exact reasons as well. Using the laptop for plotting route then transfering them to a blank cartridge is the plan.

Frank I do not have the cartridges but the area's I want to sail/motor in C-Map and Nobeltec are progably the best. Most of my traveling will be in Europe/Med.

Tom Spohn · Post by **Tom Spohn** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:55 pm

Hey Ken,
Are you still here? I thought you would be in England by now.

I think the SH unit is pretty good, but notice it will not take the new Max charts. If I were adding new cartography right now I would want to go with C-map Max. From what I here from the local Furuno dealer, C-map is the best way to go for your neck of the woods and has good coverage in Europe as well. Why not check out a Furuno unit or see if SH has another unit that takes advantage of the Max charts.

Happy sails!

NautiMoments · Post by **NautiMoments** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:29 am

Thanks everyone for your continuing input. We are in the preparation stages and will be going over to Europe in 2010. A lot of planning has to be done and equiping the boat is only part of it, although the expensive part. Tom, the SH175 does take the new Max cards but just does not show it on their site but shows it on C-Maps site. I am going to use the Max card for or home area and will watch Ebay and such for cards for other areas.

Post by **kmclemore** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:59 am

I have a CP155C and I love it. Easy to use, bright display in daylight, super color contrast and the C-Maps are excellent charts.

I have a C-Map of Lake Winnipesaukee that literally has every rock in the lake on it (see http://www.bizer.com).

I mounted the antenna forward on the

bow rail and it's nicely out of the way - the standard kit came with easily enough cord to reach that far. Also comes with a nice white cover to keep ths sun/rain off the display when not in use. Unit tilts but does not swivel, though on the Mac that's not really an issue for me. Fits nicely on the top of the pedestal.

And you are correct that all the CP-1xx units can take the Max charts. You will need a firmware upgrade for some of the earlier manufactured units, but C-Map will send you that for free ($49.00 deposit which you get back if you return it in 15 days).

You can see mine in this photo:

NautiMoments · Post by **NautiMoments** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:59 pm

I am hoping that with the CP175C, which has 2 card slots, that I can transfer the charts from my laptop, thus getting the computer version of the C-Map charts. I know I can create routes on the computer and download them to a card but am not sure it you have to have the card for that area.

aya16 · Post by **aya16** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:56 pm

I thought long and hard about what unit to buy between the standard horizon and the lowrance. The horizon had a real clear screen and was very bright. The lowrance had a nice screen but didnt seem as bright. The one I went with was the lowrance because of the nautic path software that can be run on the lowrance. The nautic path charts cover all of the us coasts and large lakes for about a hundred dollars. Its very detailed and works great. The other reason I went with the lowrance was from experiance, The lowrance fish finders and gps units have been on all my boats over the years and I believe I only had one have a problem that lowrance fixed fast. On the other hand I have had the standard horizon radios (two) and they didnt last very long and even with the paid extended warr. I had a hard time with standard. A personal thing and no way would I say they have crappy service just from my thing with them.
also the lowrance with a 6 inch screen costs less then the standard 5 inch at least at the time I bought. although it doesnt look it the lowrance does take two cards if you want

http://www.lowrance.com/Outdoor/Products/GM5500C.asp

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Post by **Duane Dunn, Allegro** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:28 pm

I am looking to replace my old Lowrance sounder / GPS soon. I must say I really like the single unit approach. While my old one is that, the chart selection for it sucks.

For the last 5 years I've been using my Pocket PC for chartplotting with the Lowrance providing the location data, soundings, and driving the autopilot. I wouldn't even consider using the laptop at the helm, but this hybrid with the PPC in a waterproof case has worked well enough. Now however it is time to get a full featured all in one color unit.

I've been very happy with the Lowrance brand and I think one of their twins, the Eagle Seacharter 500C DF Color Dual Frequency Fishfinder/GPS Chartplotter is a great deal.

http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/ ... %3Bc341989

Lowrance makes the Eagle and the Humminbird product lines.

The Seacharter 500c DF is only $499 at Boaters World. A Color WAAS GPS chartplotter and dual feq sounder in a single compact waterproof unit that will easily fit at the mac helm. It will interface with any AutoPilot.

It supports the New Lowrance NautiPath vector charts.

http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/ ... 3Bc3391120

These give you complete US chart coverage including tide, current, and port info for only $99. Finally vector charts have become reasonable.

(Note you can now get all the Maptech US raster charts for FREE at their web site if you are a PC or PPC user. West Marine is trying to closeout their CD's of what you can now download for free.)

The Eagle, (and the Lowrance and Humminbird) chartplotters also support the Navionics Gold charts. These cost less than C-Map or the Garmin BlueCharts, and look a lot better than both in my opinion. You can get the xtra large region for $199 which is what I need to cover both Puget Sound in the US and the inside passage in BC Canada all on one chip.

The only thing holding me back at this point is the screen resolution of only 320x240. I'd really like a 480x480.

I've got to check it out in person this weekend and try to decide.

aya16 · Post by **aya16** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:02 pm

I dont think the eagle units are able to talk with an auto pilot or other electronics. That was the only diff. I can remember about the two units.

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Sat Feb 11, 2006 11:30 pm

The Eagles support all the same NMEA 183 sentances as the Lowrance. They both send and receive the same information. They will work fine with any autopilot or other NMEA 183 device. There is no difference from the Lowrance label units. Just check out the users manual, it's all in there.

Post by **kmclemore** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:23 am

I was doing a little looking and found a guy selling remanufactured Standard Horizons for a very good price.
Their CP175 is going for $440 US and the CP155C is only $275... that's about the best prices you're gonna find anywhere.
Even their Fish Finder (FF520) is going for cheap at $220.
They guarantee no blemishes and are including the full 3-year warranty, too.
See forum discussion HERE... all the buyers there seem pleased with their purchase.

Also there are some good reviews of the unit there, too.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:31 am

These cheap (but well reviewed) chartplotters seem to be the way to go now that you dont have to buy the razor blades from the GPS maker any more.

I bought a Garmin 76CS on a good deal on ebay a couple years back and use the Blue Chart software.

The one good thing that fits my situation with this is my sailing habits: I sail all over the Northeast on a trailer, an Ericson 32 on a slip in Lake Ontario, and charter on San Fran and Santa Cruz.

The GPS just goes into my pocket and all my sailing logs are in one place!

Paper charts are still required for cruising , imho, as "The prudent mariner does not rely on a single source for navigational information"

aya16 · Post by **aya16** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 7:56 am

Duane Ill take your word for it, but there was something that I saw that made me buy the lowrance instead of the eagle, my brain doesnt work like it used to so Ill have to go back and find it. I know lowrance does make the eagle brand and the eagle stuff doesnt cost as much, but there was something, I thought it was the nmea stuff but ill look into it and get back to you.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Standard Horizon CP175c Chart Plotter

Standard Horizon CP175c Chart Plotter