How to Select the Best Chartplotter for You

If you are in the market for a new chartplotter, you are likely weighing several factors—budget, screen size, and functionality, just to name a few. This article is designed to provide you with a foundation of how this navigation technology works and questions to ask yourself as you journey through your decision-making process.

First, let’s look at the basic purpose of a chartplotter. While this might be a very elementary point, it is an important foundation. The chartplotter’s job is to show you where you are in the water and to help you navigate to where you are going. That sounds a lot like the GPS in your car, right? Yes and no.

While the chartplotter is run by a GPS similar to what is used within on-land devices, there are additional factors at play on the water, so the functionality and ability to process large volumes of complex data is vital. If the size and structure of the body of water you’re navigating is small and uncomplicated, you can simply type in a destination and a route will be generated for you to follow. However, on larger bodies of water with more complexity, you will likely need to enter waypoints and build a custom route.

Like the GPS in your car, a chartplotter uses GPS or GNSS data to measure bearing, speed, and direction to successfully navigate your route. However, the chartplotter begins to differ from the GPS in your car as you start considering its tracking and route navigation capabilities. A critical element that you must navigate while in the water is the underwater structures that can obstruct your route.

Structures like reefs, sandbanks, wreck sites, and other hazards must be avoided. A chartplotter’s ability to generate detailed electronic charts is another area in which this device differentiates itself from other navigational tools. A marine chartplotter will produce two types of charts: a raster chart, which is basically a scanned version of a paper chart; and a vector chart, which is composed of lines, points, and polygons using information pulled from a database. Vector charts are more dynamic, use less memory, and are more user-friendly than raster charts. In addition to being powerful navigational tools, many of these devices include fish finder functionality that detects sound waves underwater and uses the signals to project an image onto the screen to enable anglers to spot schools of fish in the depths.

Important Factors in Chartplotter Selection

Where You Boat

Offshore boating in the ocean or on the Great Lakes demands a higher functioning chartplotter. As mentioned above, if you primarily boat in small, inland areas, a basic chartplotter will likely serve you well. If your boat offshore, you will need to select a unit with greater processing speeds, the ability to easily download updated charts, and the capability to integrate with other tools and systems within your boat.

Screen Size

Generally speaking, smaller screens work well in smaller boats. Similarly, operators of larger boats will likely need a considerably larger screen since they will probably be situated at a greater distance from the chartplotter given the need to manage multiple interfaces.

Compatibility with Your Boat

Most chartplotters can be bracket mounted, which gives you a lot of flexibility. But be sure that the unit you select can be mounted so that it is visible from appropriate angles and can be protected from water—both waves and weather.

Budget

Chartplotters vary tremendously in price, from $150 to thousands of dollars. The type of boating you do and the bodies of water you boat on will determine what kind of chartplotter you need (what you want is another question). If you boat on fairly small inland lakes, a chartplotter robust enough for a transatlantic crossing is simply not necessary. However, if you will be boating on large bodies of water, you will need to spend more to ensure you have an instrument powerful enough to facilitate safe boating and ease of navigation.

User-Friendly Interface

Whether you select a fairly inexpensive chartplotter or a very expensive unit with all the bells and whistles, make sure that the unit is easy to operate and understand. The following is a selection of chartplotters that are popular among the PartsVu community. Given the diversity within the PartsVu community—from offshore boaters to fishermen who frequent smaller inland lakes—there is a significant diversity of needs. This range is represented within the units featured.

The Most Popular Chartplotters Among the PartsVu Community

Humminbird Helix 5 G2 CHIRP GPS Combo

The HELIX 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2 features a brilliant 800H x 480V, 5" 256 color display with backlight. CHIRP Side Imaging/Down Imaging and DualBeam PLUS sonar with 4000 watts PTP power output, Precision Internal GPS Chartplotting with built-in UniMap cartography with a micro SD card slot for optional maps or for saving waypoints. Maximize your angling experience with the Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP SI GPS fishfinder GPS system. Features:

The flagship unit of the HELIX family features DualBeam PLUS Sonar, GPS chartplotting with internal GPS receiver, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging
5" color TFT wide-screen LCD
480 x 800 resolution
4000 watts peak-to-peak
Internal GPS + MicroSD card slot)
Includes Humminbird UniMap base maps and is compatible with Humminbird LakeMaster charts, including AutoChart™ and AutoChart™ Pro
Navionics Gold/HotMaps™ compatible
Water surface temperature gauge built into transducer
GPS speed included
1500' depth capability (2D) sonar; Down Imaging, 350 feet; Side imaging, 100 feet, left and right

Learn More About the Hummingbird Helix 5 G2 CHIRP GPS Combo

Lowrance Hook-5X Chartplotter, GPS, Fishfinder

The world’s easiest fishfinder, HOOK² 5x SplitShot offers simple menus, easy access to key functions and Autotuning sonar. Powered by proven Lowrance performance, HOOK² 5x features 2-in-1 sonar with wide-angle, Broadband coverage, and DownScan Imaging™, plus a simple and accurate GPS plotter. Features:

5-inch SolarMAX™ Screen - Get crisp and clear views of fish and fish-holding structure with the excellent clarity and daylight visibility of a high-resolution SolarMAX™ display.
Automated sonar settings - You will spend more time fishing and less time dialing in your sonar with HOOK² Autotuning sonar. Just plug it in and fish. It doesn't get any easier.
Easiest-to-use menu operation and Dedicated Keypad - Make the adjustments you want with fewer key presses via a simplified menu layout and dedicated keypad.
SplitShot 2-in-1 Sonar with Broadband sonar and DownScan Imaging™ - SplitShot 2-in-1 sonar makes it easier to stay on the fish, delivering the best traditional sonar views and lifelike images of fish-holding structure beneath and beside your boat.
Built-in GPS Plotter - Save waypoints, follow trails and navigate to your favorite fishing spot with a simple and accurate GPS Plotter.
Easy front-dash or quick-release bracket mounting installation - Pick the best installation option for your boat from simple flush-mount and quick-release-bracket installation options.

Learn More About the Lowrance Hook-5X Chartplotter, GPS, Fishfinder

SI-TEX SVS-460C - Chartplotter 4.3" Color Screen with Internal GPS

This compact chartplotter delivers the goods for any vessel, from center console skiffs to sailboats to light commercial boats. The SVS-460 chart plotterfeatures a 4.3" high-resolution color LCD and compact case. Rugged construction, versatile, no-nonsense performance, and features that really matter. Features:

52-channel GPS w/standard internal antenna (optional external antenna)
"Dual fuel" charting with C-MAP and Navionics cartography
Unit pre-loaded w/Navionics Gold North American Chart Card
Global GPS compatibility (U.S., European Galileo, Russian Glonass, and Asian QZSS)
Brilliant LED backlighting for daylight readability
Easy, intuitive operation and control
Weather protector cover included

Learn More About the SI-TEX SVS-460C - Chartplotter 4.3" Color Screen with Internal GPS

Humminbird Helix 7 Fishfinder/GPS Combo CHIRP G3 w/Transom Mount Transducer

The HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3 fishfinder features Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar, AutoChart Live, GPS, and Humminbird Basemap built-in. The 7", ultra-wide display gives you ample room to view the many pre-loaded split screen view options. Features include:

Dual Spectrum CHIRP: Before you cast, know what's down there thanks to long, well-defined fish arches, and a clear view of fish-holding structure and the bottom. Powered by our proprietary, Low Q CHIRP transducer, Dual Spectrum offers two ways to search: wide mode for maximum coverage and narrow mode for maximum detail.
SwitchFire Sonar: Take command of how your sonar returns appear. With two display modes, you can add or remove detail, account for water depth, temperature and turbulence, even watch lure presentations - all at the push of a button.
Humminbird Basemap Built-in: Our enhanced standard basemap provides you with a clear view of underwater terrain and surrounding points of interest so you can fish and navigate with total confidence. Identify buoys, day markers, hazards, marinas, contours, depth markers, and much, much more. Includes charts of more than 10,000 lakes, plus coastal coverage for the U.S.
AutoChart Live: Create real-time maps of your fishing spots, with access to patented Humminbird LakeMaster features. Map depth contours, bottom hardness, and vegetation as you drive your boat, with eight hours of built-in recording time.
LakeMaster Compatible: Upgrade to the unrivaled accuracy and detail of Humminbird LakeMaster maps. From easy-to-read contours to highlighted depth ranges, to scrollable lake lists, you'll have all the tools you need to make every moment count

Learn More About the Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP Fishfinder/GPS Combo G3 w/Transom Mount Transducer

Simrad GO7 XSR Combo with Imaging 3-in-1 Transom Mount Transducer C-MAP Pro Chart

Chartplotter - Simrad GO7 XSR w/Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transom Mount Transducer C-MAP Pro Chart

The compact GO7 XSR is a great way to expand the capabilities of your sport boat or dayboat. Cruise confidently with GPS navigation, find fish with built-in sonar and extend your view with an optional radar system. The included Active Imaging™ transducer delivers CHIRP sonar and picture-like Side and Down views.

Key Features:

Easy to use multi-touch interface
Active Imaging 3-in-1 Sonar (CHIRP/Side/Down) Ready
Active Imaging 2-in-1 Sonar (Side/Down) Ready
FishReveal™ Smart Target View
Supports the widest range of charts
Widescreen with bright LED backlight
Built-in Broadband Sounder™, CHIRP sonar, Side and Down, and ForwardScan sonar support (transducer required)
Compatible with the Simrad WM-3 SiriusXM satellite weather module
C-MAP Insight Pro card

Learn More About the Simrad GO7 XSR w/Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transom Mount Transducer C-MAP Pro Chart

Furuno GP1871F 7" GPS/Chartplotter/Fishfinder

Consistent "all-glass" design and GUI (similar to TZtouch2), with multi-touch, slide-out menus, and edge-swipe gesture controls
7" Wide-aspect, bright (1000 cd), multi-touch LCD (800 x 480 Resolution) with anti-fingerprint and anti-reflective coating
Built-In 1kW TruEcho CHIRP and Conventional Fish Finder with Accu-Fish, RezBoost, and Bottom Discrimination
Built-In 72 channel GPS WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS Core, and antenna
Built-In wireless for use with DRS4W Radar & C-MAP C-Weather downloads
Radar overlay capability with DRS4W (optional heading input required)
Compatible with C-MAP 4D MicroSD Worldwide Cartographic Database
C-MAP C-Weather for Wind, Wave, Weather, Humidity, and Temperature
Autopilot control when integrated w/NavPilot 711C or NavPilot 300
Certified NMEA2000/NMEA0183 Interface (full NMEA0183 output with SW update)
Accepts AIS data in both NMEA0183 & NMEA2000 formats
Built-In simulation: Internal demo slideshow and simulation mode