This is a no-nonsense guide to the best marine chartplotters, with quick recommendations so you can choose the marine chartplotters that suits what you’re looking for the best.
They’re summed up in this table below. If you want to skip all the other talk and you just want to know which specific marine chartplotters are currently the best to go for, then they’re all right here in one place for you.
| Editor’s Award | Product | Scroll |
|---|---|---|
Best Marine Chartplotter | Simrad Cruise-7 Chart Plotter An easy-to-use chart plotter with effortless controls and great maps. What more do you need? From Amazon | Read More |
Best Chartplotter for under $100 | Garmin GPSMAP 78S Navigator A chart plotter that won’t break the bank the 78S perfect for any sailor on a budget. From Amazon | Read More |
Best Charplotter with Fish Finder | Humminbird Helix 5 The best fishfinder/chart plotter hybrid. Where both features are exceptional and not just a tacked-on extra. From Amazon | Read More |
Best Chartplotter Sounder | Garmin GPSMAP Chartplotter Sounder The best Chart plotter with a built-in sounder. One of the most high-quality chart plotters on the market. From Amazon | Read More |
Click to jump straight to each topic.
- The Best Marine Chartplotters Reviewed
- Marine Chartplotters We Absolutely Don’t Recommend
- What We Think of Some Other Marine Chartplotters Available
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Best Marine Chartplotters Reviewed
Best Marine Chartplotter: Simrad Cruise-7 Chart Plotter
Best Marine Chartplotter
Our top spot is taken by the Simrad one of its main features is just the wealth of information it can provide for your vessel. The Simrad can show your depth readings, position, battery, and tons of other useful information.
Its simple-to-use design is one thing that sets it apart from the competition along with coming preloaded with all US coastal maps for ease of use.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Chartplotter for under $100: Garmin GPSMAP 78S Navigator
Best Chartplotter for under $100
If you are looking for something cheap and under $100 dollar then the only thing really on the market for you is the Garmin 78S.
I’m not going to lie the features are pretty basic, but it does the job and has a small 6 inch display with digital compass and barometric altimeter.
Refurbished product and comes with a 90 day warranty.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Charplotter with Fish Finder: Humminbird Helix 5
Best Charplotter with Fish Finder
The Humminbird is the best Chartplotter fish finder hybrid. Most chart plotters feel like the fish finder is a bolted-on extra. The Humminbird’s fish finder is one of the main features. It has a wide and narrow beam along with “switchfire” which lets you control the detail of fish, structure, and thermoclines.
The Humminbird also has down imaging which allows you to produce a portrait of what’s below letting you know of hazards like rocks or timber.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Chartplotter Sounder: Garmin GPSMAP Chartplotter Sounder
Best Chartplotter Sounder
Garmin GPSMAP Chartplotter Sounder
This 10″ Chart plotter sonar combo features a full HD inplane switching touchscreen and industry leading sonar.
The Garmin 8610XSV has the most detailed clear and concise charts and maps available on a chart plotter and comes preloaded with all costal cartography.
Along with the best maps the 8610 comes with the Garmin marine network which allows you to build multiple electronics such as radar autopilot and cameras all controlled from this device.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Marine Chartplotters We Absolutely Don’t Recommend
Plagued with connectivity problems we recommend you avoid this product and just choose a traditional Chartplotter.
What We Think of Some Other Marine Chartplotters Available
Another great choice which features chirp fish finder and ClearVu sonar transducer. A great pick if you spot it on sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a chartplotter and GPS?
A GPS will display your coordinates but a chart plotter shows these coordinates against a map (think of a sat nav but for boats)
What is the difference between a chartplotter and fishfinder?
A Chartplotter is basically a sat nav but for boats, while a fish finder uses sonar to detect large schools of fish.
How do you use a marine GPS chartplotter?
Chartplotters are easy to use, you just enter a waypoint and then follow the device to your waypoint. Nice and simple!
We hope this list of the best marine chartplotters has been helpful.
If there’s anything good that you think we’ve missed, or if you have any questions about anything, then let us know down in the comments below.
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