Which GPS/ Sounder/Fishfinder....& why ?

[STUIE63]

I think if the money is anywhere near close then go the separate units just because if one does happen to fail then you still have a second unit so the day isn't ruined eg if the sounder dies then you can still go to a mark on the plotter and if the plotter dies then you can still sound around . if you have a combo and it dies then go home or go fishing like they did thirty years ago .
Stuie

[Mindi]

Donnyboy I'm with Outsider on this one. Lowrance make a great "average" unit. (Go on guys, cane me for it!) Get the most pixels and biggest screen size you can afford. If you win lotto then I reckon Garmin are the pick of the litter for GPS and Furuno or Raymarine for Sounder, but you need to be savvy to be able to operate it to its max potential. Lowrance is a good option. Definitely seperate units or you'll put your fist through it.

Totally agree all that....particularly about sep units, Furuno and raytheon...just not sure whether Lowrance better than Humminbird and others..? maybe they are, but I have had several older ones and Furuno soooo much better

[wilcara]

I have never had a H'bird but if you study all the various boating/electronics threads and forums for about three years like I did Lowrance definitely comes way ahead of the two on consumer opinion. Not saying H'bird is not a great unit, it might be.

[jtpython]

So many different type s and brands find what suits you ............... and take your time to look to get the best deal
I spent a lot of time looking at different brands before i went with my combo
Best of luck mate
JT

[nigelr]

Agree with Will and Mindi.
Seperate units for sure, Furuno sounder if you can afford it.
Cheers.

[Local_Guy]

as far as i'm concerned, the only difference between humminbird and lowrance units is the way the menu's are displayed. apart from that. both good units.

like others have said. go into a shop and look at the units side by side and find the one you like the look of best...

[GAD]

I have a Raymarine combo C70 that recently , had a problem , but no sounder and no plotter , well I can find the easy close reefs by sight in the day , but the sounder is what I missed , so now got new furuno 620 sounder and am going to try it out tonite , and with the Raymarine beside it we'll see where we are going , but now am a convert to the two units idea ...

Greg

[Dean1]

My advice is think long and hard about getting a combo. Ive used a few furuno combos lately and have found them very non user friendly. They can do your head in! Electronics always seem harder to get your'e head around when out at sea as to compared to on your trailer in your yard. Seperate units much easier and safer. Love my furuno 620 and navman plotter. both easy to use Deano.

[tin can marlin]

I must say i'am a hummigbird fan and they are easy to use for dumb f%&ks like me. Good luck as i think all sounders are pretty good these days.

[Donny Boy]

WOW !

Hey, thanks to all for the great advices !

You've really got me into it all now, doing comparisons and looking at all sorts of sites, for all sorts of units.

It's great to know that so many of us are, (or were), " in the same boat " if you'll pardon the pun.

( Not something you think about a lot, when some Sales dude is breaking your b*lls concerning the qualities of the particular unit he has hanging on the wall, alongside the other 10 or so of the same brand. !! )

My belief has always been to talk to the people that use the things, & you've all given me a stack of things to look at & consider, without all the BS.
So interesting to note how much the stories can change at the retailers, armed with only a few bits of info from you guys.

Thanks to all, keep the tips coming, I'm up for it now.....& because of you, (hopefully) a lot wiser.

Like that shampoo shiela said .......................
" It won't happen overnight.............but it will happen !! "

Thanx again & tight lines

[tin can marlin]

Good luck with it don

[Donny Boy]

Quick update Team,

Spent all weekend in & out of shops, chandelries and websites, & decided ( finally ) to go with twin units as so many of you suggested.

Picked up the GPS today .....Lowrance 5300c.
Gunna pair it up with the x515c Sounder as suggested by Outsider1 Dave, & thanks for that.

The general concensus was, that the Furuno units & such, were terrific things, but not so user friendly as the Lowrance & Humminbird, and of the two, Lowrance was the easier to use.

Being a dumb newbie, the choice was simple........

And the reason why a 5300 over a 5200 ????

They didn't have a 5200 in the shop.....and the price ticket on the 5300 was wrong.....................good enough...

Will keep you posted on the Sounder......thanx again.