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Not all GPS's are created equal. Some are approaching Chartplotter functionality, some are not. Chartplotters may have intergral GPS receivers but many do not. Other than the bigger screen that allows on screen plotting, its main advantage is that it can easily feed the autopilot allowing a plotted course to be followed like you were on a set of tracks. I have a Garmin Handheld GPS and a laptop where I can plan and follow a route. I also have a Garmin 2010 Plotter which is tied to my autopilot to make life at the inside helm very sweet. You can also tie in a radar and a dept sounder to have everything on the plotter. The biggest advantage I guess is the available interface with other devices.
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