Garmin GPSMAP 3210
10-Inch Multi-Function Display Reviewed

The Garmin GPSMAP 3210 10-inch multi-function display is network capable and can link to radar, fishfinder, or satellite weather receiver.

The unit measures just about 13 inches wide, just under 9 inches high, while depth is a tad over 3 inches.

Garmin 3010 MFD

The Garmin 3210 ships from the factory preloaded with Garmin map data for US coastal areas. Without the preloaded map data the unit is designated the Garmin GPSMAP 3010C. Hardware-wise the two are identical. We used a 3010 for our test.

Screen Size and Viewability

The 10-inch screen on the Garmin GPSMAP 3210 has a modest 640 x 480 pixel resolution.

We would describe daytime viewability on the Garmin 3210 display screen as excellent. The Garmin screen was bright and sharp when viewed straight on without any eyewear. However, when using polarized sunglasses some screen darkening was noted both straight on and out at side angles.

Our best viewability results were obtained by selecting the sunny color palette for daytime testing.

Screen fogging was apparent in the display and most likely caused by the high outside air temperature and humidity of our south Florida test environment. It did not interfere with reading the screen and would slowly dissipate over time.

We began night view testing by leaving the Garmin screen in the daylight color palette. Then our tester used brightness control to do the initial screen dimming. As the outside light level dropped we switched to the shade palette and adjusted the brightness as needed.

Two characteristics we noted on the Garmin unit: It will not dim as far as some other chartplotters we've tested and it lacks controllable pushbutton/panel lighting. These two small items are enough to downgrade the Garmin GPSMAP 3210 to good from excellent for nighttime viewability.

Operation

Numerous dedicated function keys are available to control and implement commonly used operations like marking a waypoint, changing the displayed page, turning data windows on or off, or getting to the main menu. Garmin also uses easily accessible menus to allow the user to customize display pages.

Our tester found the Garmin intuitive and easy to operate.

The Garmin GPSMAP 3210 uses five display pages, they are: Map, Sounder, Compass, Highway, and Video. Toggling the Page button moves from one main page to the next. Each main page can be modified by the user to include the display of other information in a split screen.

Here's an example of what you could do with a full network installation containing all the optional equipment. On the map page you could add up to two data boxes, display the sounder, or look at video. Up to four windows can be displayed simultaneously. To control the displayed information in each window, press the Fctn (Function) key. This will highlight the selected window with a yellow box and configure the soft keys for that function.

Waypoints

Pressing and holding the Enter/Mark pushbutton will save a waypoint at the present position and open a waypoint review page allowing the user to either accept or edit the waypoint symbol, name, comment, coordinates in lat/long, or a few other tidbits of waypoint information.

Odds and Ends

Five soft keys located at the bottom of the screen change function based on the page currently displayed, a label listing each soft key function is located directly above the pushbutton.

We found waypoints, routes, and menus displayed in easy to read and easy to use formats.

Data boxes can be selected on or off using the Data/Cnfg key. Holding the key for two seconds brings up a data box configuration menu that allows the user to select data box info and size. One or two data box columns containing between four and seven data boxes each can be selected.

Manual data entry on the Garmin display can be accomplished easily by using the alphanumeric keypad. In our opinion, having an alphanumeric keypad is a huge advantage over any other manual data entry method. The keypad, plenty of dedicated push buttons, and Garmin's easy to use software are three good reasons to own this machine.

Screen redraws on the 3210 are lightning fast even on long ranges with high map detail. The unit carries a one-year parts and labor warranty.

Final Thoughts

We like the Garmin GPSMAP 3210. It has an excellent display screen, intuitive software, and preloaded Garmin Blue Chart coastal maps.

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