Sounder advice needed

[Volcano]

I've recently bought a Lowrance all-in-one combo unit to replace a Humminbird NS25.
Now, the only reason this new sounder is on its way was the transducer got ripped off the back of the boat.
The GPS part of the sounder still works just fine.

Now, the dilemna. Do I leave the Humminbird in place and use it as a GPS-only system and use the Lowrance as a Fishfinder/depth sounder or do I get rid of the Humminbird altogther?

A few points:
1. The humminbird runs from C-Map and works just fine. Has my marsk stored in there already.
2. For me to use the Lowrance I'll need to spend another $300 for the Navionics card.
3. If I *DO* leave the Humminbird in place, it means more holes in the fibreglass.


So what do you think? Run two units? Still setup the Lowrance GPS as a failsafe? (With the antenna installed on the oposite side)?
What would you do?

[finding_time]

Run as two units And maybe set up the lowrance and use as a fail safe if needed!

[SundownMarine]

Volcano,

The best thing to do would be to take the Humminbird out and install the new unit with a Navionics card in it and use the unit as it should be.
The new Navionics card will have far more information on it than the old C-map card.I'm not sure if you are aware but transducers for the NS25 are readily available and are not expensive to buy.
It comes down to a personal choice in the end ,if you are happy with the NS25 GPS there is no real reason you cannot run the two side by side as you described.It would be easier to run the one unit however.

Sudown Marine.

[Volcano]

SundownMarine,
I am aware of that (Transducers being available and cheap), but the main reason I opted for buying a new sounder was the improvements in technologies and the option of using the navionics cards if I wanted. I suppose I could always offer it up for sale on here - surely someone would take it off my hands for a few bucks... or a carton or two.

So, what greater details do the navionics cards offer? is it really worth spending the extra $$$ and biting the bullet?

[Dave]

Volcano, I got the new sounder same as yours. I also have the Lowrance hand held GPS. The nav card gives a lot more detail than the C-Map. It shows more reefs, Contour lines(to see big drop offs and how steep the bottom goes down). I used mine on the weekend and when fishing used the handheld to follow the drift and had the sounder in split screen. Just easier than flicking throught the pages on the new one. Plus the 339 plotter only goes down to 0.005 where the hanld held goes down to 0.002. I think I would run the old GPS as well. Always good to have a back up.

Dave

[SundownMarine]

Volcano,

To add to what Hainesy has said.The new Navionics Gold charts have far more detail of canals,marinas,new green zones and everything else that has happened since the C-map version you have was issued.
There is extra value in the new maps but only if you use the extra features,if you don't then stick to what you have.

SundownMarine.