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

[Donny Boy]

Getting one very soon.............

Looking at a decent size Colour Screen, not huge, need to find the fish, find our way home again in the dark if we're out at night, & whatever else................

Totally done in by the different things available.

Lowrance, Humminbird, Garmin ....apart from price, what's the difference ?

Thought... .......why not ask the gang ?

So, in language that a 4 year old could understand, please feel free to pass on your tips .........(or abuse), as you see fit....

Thanks in advance,

[Outsider1]

Hi Don.

we need to know your approximate budget, otherwise the options are pretty wide and the comparisons difficult.

Cheers

Dave

[tunaticer]

Also Don, do you have room for side by side units on your console / dash?

And what depths of water will you be using the sounder in?

Jack.

[catfishkid]

I understand your problem,been there recently.I ended up buying a raymarine A60,slightly larger screen than the ones you mentioned at 5.7",digital sounder,easy to use menus and functions.


Cheers Craig

[Donny Boy]

Hi Don.

we need to know your approximate budget, otherwise the options are pretty wide and the comparisons difficult.

Cheers

Dave

Yeah, .........sorry guys. Bit like how long's a piece of string.

Have a 5.5 m Half Cab & will be mostly in & around the 'Pin, maybe do a few overnighters, but also planning to take it over to Moreton, go outside & chase some Snapper at the 36ers or where ever.

Budget ? I thought around $ 1300-$1500 would pull me up, but then there's map cards for $400 too, (which i didn't factor in) & that came as a bit of a shock.
Saw units from $ 699 to $ $ 1399 ( + cards)

Room on the dash ? yeah, got that Jack...( refer to avatar pic )
All that's there at the moment is a compass, & I can move that.

[Outsider1]

Hi Don,

I will kick off with some suggestions.

For that sort of budget I reckon Lowrance are a good choice.

I would go for separate Sounder and GPS units if you can fit them. A combo unit is good, but it is better to have both screens fully available, and if one unit did fail you still have the other working.

I recently bought a new GPS unit and found that Bias Boating had some of the best prices around at the moment. But prices are going up soon, they confirmed this when I was speaking with them, in the interim they are honoring their catalogue prices!!

The 5" units would be best value for money, are in your budget range, and should fit on your dash by the sound if it.

Here is a link to Bias Boating's Electronics section;

http://www.biasboating.com.au/c-71-electronics.aspx

My pick would be;

an X515c DF colour sounder (200/50Mhz transducer);

http://www.biasboating.com.au/p-1589...-x515c-df.aspx

and a Global Map 5200c GPS (external antenna);

http://www.biasboating.com.au/p-1524...map-5200c.aspx

Both are on special at Bias for $699 each.

As to map card, Lowrance use a Navionics Gold Card. They cost $385 for the whole of Australia version or you can buy a small maps version (Rosslyn Bay to Brisbane) for $285. If you are going no further south than the Bay worth considering the cheaper small map card.

Cheers

Dave

[Donny Boy]

For that sort of budget I reckon Lowrance are a good choice.

I would go for separate Sounder and GPS units if you can fit them. A combo unit is good, but it is better to have both screens fully available, and if one unit did fail you still have the other working.

Thanks Dave,

I'm feeling more worldly by the minute............

Rather obvious question...........what about the amount of power they draw ?
Of course it's gunna be more, but is it double ?
I run two batteries with an Isolator, & as I understand, that ought to be enough.

Also, when you're looking at one intently, are you concentrating fully on the other ? ( I guess if you're in 60 metres of water, you don't need to worry if you're going to hit bottom !!! )

[Outsider1]

For that sort of budget I reckon Lowrance are a good choice.

I would go for separate Sounder and GPS units if you can fit them. A combo unit is good, but it is better to have both screens fully available, and if one unit did fail you still have the other working.

Thanks Dave,

I'm feeling more worldly by the minute............

Rather obvious question...........what about the amount of power they draw ?
Of course it's gunna be more, but is it double ?
I run two batteries with an Isolator, & as I understand, that ought to be enough.

Also, when you're looking at one intently, are you concentrating fully on the other ? ( I guess if you're in 60 metres of water, you don't need to worry if you're going to hit bottom !!! )

Not sure precisely on that one Don. Two units would use more power but not sure that it would be twice as much. In the scheme of things their power draw is pretty small.

I run 2 batteries with an isolator as well. I run a sounder, a GPS and a combo unit and have never had an issue. I run on one battery on the way out (charging it up) and use it for the day. I then switch over to the other battery for the trip back in and give it a charge as well. Works for me and have never had an issue.

As to their readability etc, at speed you usually only need to glance at them. Having 2 screens actually makes this easy (as long as they are both on a reasonable sight line). Combo units tend to take more our your attention because the display for each section is noticeably smaller (width wise not height)and you need to look harder to read them.

In terms of combo units the Lowrance LCX-27C DF with a 7" wide screen would be your best comparison to the two 5" single units. Bias have them for $1449, so price wise it is line ball. I am sure you would be happy with the combo unit, but I still think 2 singles is better. Others will hopefully offer their opinions on this aspect.

Here is the Bias link for the LCX-27C DF;

http://www.biasboating.com.au/p-1561...cx-27c-df.aspx

Cheers

Dave

[Outsider1]

Donny,

another question just came to mind that might be relevant? Are your looking to fit the sounder and GPS yourself, or do you want to get someone to fit them for you??.

Grand-Marlin is a member here and does this type of work, and is highly regarded for his work and service. I believe he can also arrange supply. Might be worth giving him a pm.

Cheers

Dave

[Donny Boy]

Thanks Dave,

Will keep Grand_Marlin in mind.

At this stage, not having bought the thing(s) I haven't gotten too far ahead, but my Boat Mechanic ( BJ Rowling - Water Torque.....quick plug) would be the first guy I went to, and I know he can fit them too.

[patrol50]

mate i can recommend the lowrance lcx 27c - similar uses as yourself - i am very happy with it and it was fitted by peter ( grand marlin) who did an excellent pro job fitting it - i must admit i did muse over a hummingbird colour side imager though for quite awhile before buying the lowrance
see you rob

[jtpython]

Just purchased a Humminbird 917c combo
Fitted it myself is a beautiful set up easy to install and clear as a bell
Support is quick and responsive updates avaible to download and direct sunlight veiwing
Love the idea of downloading pionts to SD card to unit is simple stupid for me

High definition 480V x 800H, sunlight viewable colour TFT display
• Big screen chartplotting, 16 channel GPS and dual frequency sonar
• Ultra wide format, 178mm diagonal display for non compromised split screen viewing with large digits
• Dual frequency 83/200kHz, high performance 500 watt power output sonar transducer for wide coverage and reliable depth performance from shallow to deep water
• Dual channel sonar receiver and dual microprocessor design for higher performance dual frequency operation
• Transom mount transducer includes surface water temperature sensor
• CCFL backlighting and selectable screen backgrounds - white, blue or black
• Freeze frame
• X-Press™ menus for instant access
• Automatic or manual operation of upper and lower depth range
• Rapid response water temperature graph quickly shows temperature changes and an audible temperature alarm sounds as the boat crosses temperature zones
• Built-in UniMap™ of Australian and New Zealand coastlines to 4NM provides basic chart virtually anywhere
• Compatible with seamless Navionics® Gold cartography
• Optional system expansion to include WeatherSense®, SmartCast® receiver, CannonLink™ and InterLink™ network connection

[Donny Boy]

Cheers for that JT.

My next stop will be to buy the book "GPS for Dummies" so's I understand what it was you told me.............

Sounds & looks good, what sort of price ? is around $ 1700 right ?

[Donny Boy]

Thanx also gwpiohweoi,

Had a look at that one too........smart unit.

Decisions , decisions..................

[wilcara]

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.