Thinking of upgrading to Garmin 1234xsv GPSMap. Thoughts?

[Headlee]

Have any of you upgraded your Garmin 12" Chartplotter to the Garmin 1234xvs GPSMap? I currently have the Garmin 7212 that came stock with our 2015 C28 and we use it the Puget Sound region and Vancouver Island. I've been holding off upgrading to the 8612 at $4,100 and now see the Garmin 1234xvs at $3,000, which appears to have all the same features and more, including sonar, radar input, and BlueChart g3. I'm curious though at $1,000 less than the 8612 am I missing something? Would love to hear your thoughts if you have reviewed the 1234xsv or are actually using it. Thank you.

 

[dbsea]

One of the differences I’m aware of is that the 8xxx series can handle 3 separate transducers, I think the 1234 can only handle one.

 

[dbsea]

And the 1243 is a bigger screen but lower resolution than the 8612.

 

[Headlee]

Thanks. I can live with both of those differences. I'll definitely upgrade to a Chirp transducer.

 

[dbsea]

I would get a look at the 1243 in person if you can before you make that call. The resolution difference is significant. The 8612 is 1080p, the 1243 is 1280x800, which is the same as the 3 7612’s on my cutwater. The resolution is barely enough there.

 

[Headlee]

Good call. I'll see if West Marine has one on demo.

 

[knotflying]

What are you doing with your other equipment that ties into the chartplotter? The chartplotter may be able to give you all the high resolution etc., but the input equipment won't have the output that the new unit is capable of. It will definitely have more bells and whistles but not changing the radar or transducer will result in what you have now. Be prepared. sometimes an upgrade can be a rabbit hole.

 

[Oh Well]

I have the 8612 Garmin system. Came with my 2020 R 27 OB. I came with an in hull transducer.

Forgot how many pins on cable connector to the Garmin were on that transducer. The downside to the in hull is no water temperature capabilities

Point is that in 2021 I added a Garmin transom mounted Chirp transducer. I believe it is a 12 pin transducer cable connection to the 8612. Down and side view as well as water temperature, speed etc.

So two connectors but different number of pins.

Hope this helps

 

[Headlee]

Thanks for your input and I have also learned a lot from the Hull Truth forum that has many posts on a side by side comparison of the 8612 v. 1243xsv. According to those posts, the Bottom line is that there are many are trade-offs of less computing power and some lag time with screen refresh on the 1243x v. Better resolution, more computing power, dual band transducer with the 8612. The other trade-off is that the 1243x is about $1,100 less than the 8612, which allows for the purchase of more gear (another downrigger and a couple of crap pots, for example). Or, maybe I just stick with my 7212, which is working fine, for another season.

Paul

 

[knotflying]

You may have hit the nail on the head - If it works, don't fix it.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Heck I’m still using a 5212. Works great. I also use navionics on iPad connected to the nmea backbone

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Heck I’m still using a 5212. Works great. I also use navionics on iPad connected to the nmea backbone

I considered upgrading the 5212 in my 2012 R27, but decided it wasn’t money well spent. The 5212 in my boat was well cared for before I got the boat and it still works perfect now. I use a iPad Pro 12.9” for navigation and the 5212 for sonar, radar, and cruise and engine data.

I will replace it when it becomes inoperable.

 

[scross]

Still using the Garmin 5212 in Our Journey. It’s slow but, at 8-10 knots cruising speed, I don’t need that much speed out of it. When it dies I’ll be looking for a good used 7212 to replace it.
I’ve heard lots of conflicting info about the compatibility of my 2009 era autopilot, radar, pump and transducer on anything newer than the 7212. I want to keep any replacement as simple as possible. The 7212 needs a different power connector than is used in the 5212 but I think it’s plug and play besides that.

 

[Headlee]

Maybe I continue with the 7212, but upgrade to a chirp single band transducer (high frequency/wide) and update the Bluechart g2 to Bluechart g3 maps. Then continue until I encounter any issues. Have any of you operating the 5212 or 7212 updated your charts?

 

[Red Raven]

Maybe I continue with the 7212, but upgrade to a chirp single band transducer (high frequency/wide) and update the Bluechart g2 to Bluechart g3 maps. Then continue until I encounter any issues. Have any of you operating the 5212 or 7212 updated your charts?

I use the BlueChart G3 maps on my 7212. They work fine.

Curt