Garmin GPSMAP 420s are they any good as a fish finder?

[NMK]

Hi, im looking at buying a Garmin GPSMAP 420s - Chartplotter/Fishfinder..

Is it any good as a fish finder or am i better off buying a straight fish finder and a separate GPS. I'm only new to fishing offshore and using fish finders.

I plan on using it for offshore around the Gold Coast.

I have been quoted $635


Thanks in advance
Nathan

[NMK]

forgot to mention, otherwise i'm looking at the Garmin Fishfinder 340c and i would buy a separate hand held GPS. ive been quoted $535 for the 340c

Thanks
Nathan

[Local_Guy]

if you can up your budget just a bit you can get the Lowrance LMS-520 or LMS-527 imported from the US for well under AU$800 landed.

much better unit IMO and is very good with mapping and outstanding in finding you the fish.

[BARRA73]

I have to agree with Local Guy. I received my LMS 527 DF IGPS from Fishon this week and fitted it today. If you buy from Fish on with the money saved you can normally upsize to a model much superior than the one your after. I see they have Garmins on their website with a G2 upgrade of Australian waters for much less than you can get them in Aus. Just remeber to purchase the extended warranties, I can't recommend Pat and the crew at Fishon highly enough.

[polky]

I have the garmin 340c, imo it is a good sounder easey to use. Polky. I also have the garmin 525s combo this is a good unit, once you buy the g2vision card for your area. Polky.

[NMK]

so many different models to consider...

does the Lowrance LMS-527 come with maps or do you have to buy a card like with the Garmin and would $870 be a good price for one?

[fRuItCaKe]

You have to buy the Navionics maps too.

Make sure you factor this into the price.

I'm having the same dilemmas and leaning toward the Garmins

[Local_Guy]

NMK, go through the "Sounder Readings" part in this (Electronics sub forum) and you can see everyone's "real life" recordings of their units... no gimmiks, no simulations, real life photos.