I still wanted Navionics Cartography, which was one of the reasons I stuck with Raymarine. I know Garmin purchased Navionics, but they still had a Blue Charts display when I was doing the refit last Winter. Nothing wrong with that look...just not what I was used to. If I understand correctly, the very newest Garmin software facilitates user-selectable Navionics or Blue Chart cartography. Anyhow, the 12" Raymarine also had larger screen area than the Garmin equivalent, which was another minor factor. The downside with Raymarine though is the Autopilot disconnect function. I wish Raymarine had the "Shadowdrive" circuit (optional) that disconnects the autopilot when the steering wheel is turned, but it does not. Unlikely, but the time needed to push a button to turn off the Raymarine AP, then steer out of the way of a threat is noteworthy. In extreme circumstances, it could make a difference. Raymarine also makes the operator acknowledge each waypoint on a route, whereas Garmin leaves the operator alone, makes the turns without input, ect... Guess Raymarine figured some people may just turn on the autopilot and go downstairs,ect... That can't be done with Raymarine, but could with the Garmin AP...no matter how foolhardy that would be. I suspect the corporate lawyers had something to do with that issue at Raymarine.
Now you've given Jed another reason to spend money on the boat.
