GPS/Chartplotter

[cala90]

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a HDS5 or Elite 5 combo... Now here's my stupid question.. They are both listed as chartplotters.. Is there much of a difference between a GPS and chartplotter? I'm after whichever one will navigate me to and from my destination showing me where I've been on the screen.. Sorry for the silly question!

[lethal098]

Most modern day units are a chart plotter, the difference being a Basic GPS like a handheld unit has no maps on it, it just leaves a trail with no reference to anything else.

A chartplotter will have maps that give reference to everything, depth contours, Channel markers, Land ETC ETC.

Many Many units out there and the biggest difference for all of them is how easy they are to use. Go and have a play with some units at BCF or your local chandlery and see what is better for you.

Hope this helps,

Cheers Lee

[Jakers 69]

You can use the hds5 for a chart plotter and a fish finder .

[Micadogs]

cala 90 - you want a chartplotter.

This will show trails, i.e. where you have been. It will allow you to mark spots (way points) of interest e.g. fishing spot, channel marker, entrance to something etc. The HDS will also display distance between two points, distance travelled, speed etc.

With the HDS you can also purchase charts, these are a street directory on the water.

You can also get combo units as mentioned above, that will show depth, structure and fish underneath.

The HDS can also be hooked up to engine management system to display fuel usage, RPM, etc.

[royslaven]

i have a lowrance combo chartplotter/sounder, works well enough, not sure if i should have gone with the hds or not , but am happy enough, cost me $848 including navionics gold maps, cheers, roy

[cala90]

Thanks for the help guys! As long as either combo does the job I'm happy! Cheers

[FishHunter]

nowadays most people seem to use the terms chartplotter and gps interchangeably. I have a Elite 5 combo chartplotter and if my budget was bigger would have had the HDS 5 instead. The Elite range is positioned below the HDS range and are priced accordingly