FURUNO GP7000F - Any Thoughts?

[Lobster48]

Am looking at a new electronics set up for my new boat.

Has anyone used the FURUNO GP7000F Combo unit. I have spent alot of time in the shop looking over one and playing with it but nothing compares to real use.

I want to know what the sounder is really like ... am looking at the 600w transducer only as I fish in water from 15 - 60metres (not too deep up here in Darwin).

I am also keen to know how user friendly the plotter is. I already use the CMAP product so am familiar with the cartography but moreso interested in the FURUNO interpretation of the info and user friendliness.

Anything would be a plus.

Lobster

[Tony_N]

Lobster

If you are happy to have a combo rather than separate units then go for it. I have its old old brother the 1640F which has made hitting marks an absolute breeze - and i also find it very useful for anchoring up. It does not have as powerful a sounder as the 7000 - but I got it very cheaply 2nd hand and only use the GPS because I already had a Furuno 600L sounder.

The 7000 still has all of the great features of the 1640 and more, including chartplotting. I love using the course vector (or so-called donkey's dick) and find that I use that plot screen exclusively.

On the basis of my experience with the much older version I couldn't recommend the 7000f highly enough - though I've not seen one in operation. I notice that Furuno are bringing out new sounders - it might be worthwhile checking to see if new combo's are in the pipeline. The 7000 has only recently been released, though.

FWIW

Tony

[jiminy]

Great unit - works very well.