Difference between B&G Zeus Touch and Zeus2?

[Maika]

I can buy a Zeus Touch 12 for the same price as the Zeus2 7 and cheaper than the Zeus2 9.
I really like the bigger display, but what do I loose?
So far I have found these differences:

Resolution:
Zeus Touch 12: 1024 x 768
Zeus2 7/9: 800 x 480
(Zeus2 12: 1280 x 800)

SD card slots:
Zeus Touch 12: 1
Zeus2 7/9/12: 2

ForwardScan is not supported on Zeus Touch?
Poorer internal GPS antenna on the Touch?

I am not going to use more than one chart, I am not buying the ForwardScan as long as it gets so expensive because of the extra module necessary, and I allready have an external new B&G GPS. So far, the Touch look like the best buy for me.
Any thoughts?

[DDabs]

Do you really need a 12? When it is mounted at the helm, they get very big. I thought I had to have a 12, and ended up going with the Zeus Touch 8 which suits my needs fine. The Zeus2 has a slightly more modern touchscreen, with the pinch to zoom and higher resolution.

[travellerw]

Zeus2 supports both Navionics and CMAP cards. Zeus only supports Navionics..

This was a big one for me!

[Maika]

Hi and thanks for answering,
I have been using an iPad lately, which I believe is about 8 inches, and I would prefere having a bigger display navigating maps. I guess the split screen also benifits of the bigger display. Also there is plenty ov space on my "dashboard", so I think 12 inch would be perfect.
I guess thr pinch to zoom is handy instead of having to center the chart before zooming, but still not a killer function.

[Maika]

Sorry, I meant the Zeus Touch not Zeus in the heading. I believe Touch can use both C-maps and Navionics?

[capbillh]

I have a Zeus2 9". A fellow boat owner has the Zeus T7. It came with the boat, last years model.
The lastest software update came out for both. I have DSC call button on the screen with the AIS listed vessels. He does not. Conclusion: buy the lasted when there is a choice, not last years technology.
Older technology might be cheaper but not in the long run.

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by capbillh

I have a Zeus2 9". A fellow boat owner has the Zeus T7. It came with the boat, last years model.
The lastest software update came out for both. I have DSC call button on the screen with the AIS listed vessels. He does not. Conclusion: buy the lasted when there is a choice, not last years technology.
Older technology might be cheaper but not in the long run.

Yeah, but regardless of the fact that B&G says the call feature will work with any N2K capable VHF, it only works with the B&G VHF. I know, having been assured by B&G that it would work with the Icom I was going to purchase, until after purchase when it would not work. "Sorry".

One of the owners of multiple B&G MFD's on the same boat, including both the touch and the Zeus2, said the Zeus2 processor was much faster, and if I ever compared them side by side, I would buy the Zeus2. I think he offered to sell a Touch if I wasn't convinced. I purchased the Zeus2, and it is very fast. His complaint was waiting for map redraw, I think.

[capbillh]

All I am stating is buying older tech in the long run is Not saving in the long run.
Click n Clack stated "the stingy man pays the most" U know the
Brothers"!

[Maika]

I would be surprised if the latest was not the best, but this is all about prioritizing. For me the most important is the screen size, and I when I can buy the Touch 12'' for the same prize as a Zeus2 7'', I can buy other things for the money I save. After all the Touch was the best you could get just a couple of years ago, so it can not be that bad. The software is on v2, vs v3 on Zeus2, so there are some functions I will not get, but as far as I can see this is not a big deal. I guess some people always buy a new plotter when it hits the marked, but most people do not switch plotters every second year. Buying the Touch 12 saves me a lot of money, and also gives me an excuse to buy the Zeus3 when it comes with the functions I can not live without
BTW: The Touch supports NAIS-400.

[sailjumanji]

PM Dockhead. He is the one that told me how much better the Zeus2 was than the Zeus Touch. He has both models on his boat.

I had the same alternative when purchasing mine - older tech for cheaper, or new. The Zeus2 replaced a Garmin that was over twelve years old. I am not in the "gotta have the latest" crowd by any means.

[Sandero]

I think it depends on the bells and whistles you use and feel you need. I have found that I have no interest in MOST of them and want a plotter that I can zoom and pan easily... return to the boat position... place a single waypoint and read the chart and the data in bight and night situations. I don't need warp speed redraws... why? What's the hurry?

I picked up a Zeus for a good price and after upgrading to the Navionics charts find the unit easy use as a stand alone portable cockpit plotter. I'd like to see real current (moving graphic arrows with scale or something). But don't know any software or plotter that does that.

[a64pilot]

It's probably just me, but can you get a course line on a Zeus, I can't.

[Sandero]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

It's probably just me, but can you get a course line on a Zeus, I can't.

Track? or a heading to way point? or course made good?

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Sandero

I'd like to see real current (moving graphic arrows with scale or something). But don't know any software or plotter that does that.

For software: Coastal Explorer, Nobeltec and OpenCPN

For tablet/phone apps: SeaIQ, Garmin, Navionics and OpenCPN

For plotters: Furuno

Since the above represent only the apps, software and plotters we presently own, and ALL of them have this functionality, I suspect pretty much all current software and plotters show current using moving graphic arrows with scale.

Mark

[deluxe68]

The Touch does not have any knobs or buttons, might need a keyboard.