GPS/Fishfinder Advice

[den3221]

Anyone provide input on a GPS/Fishfinder Combo?

Right now do most fishing in and around lower Chesapeake Bay (CBBT) on a 20' Grady Overnighter. Looking to upgrade outdated GPS and Fishfinder electronics, maybe spend $350 to $600 on a GPS/Sonar Combo.

Any suggestions?

I was looking at Garmin GPS Map 440s or 540s, Humminbird 383c, 587ci or 788ci and the Eagle 642c.

Haven't gone into a store to put my hands on any of these units yet. So far, looks like the main differences are Screen size/resolution, Sonar Power, Internal vs. External GPS Antenna, and of course cost.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[gradyfish22]

Hummingbird and Eagle are not great for saltwater, and are low end to be honest, you will get what you pay for with them. I know not everyone's budget allows for top of the line electronics, but your going to have a tough time replacing both pieces for that price and getting anything that is really worth while, might be better looking used on ebay. I'd recommend a furuno LS4100 FF, we had a LS6100 on our 22 and it worked great, and a seperate Garmin GPS. The LS4100 is roughly $250 with transducer, leaving you 250-300 for a gps. Si Tex makes a nice gps for $350, the GPS-95cp, a Garmin will run you over $400 for many of their models.

For a plotter sounder in your price range, maybe look into a Lowrance LMS-520c or 522C, they are about $600, and the Garmin's you look at would move to the top of the list. I would not even consider the Eagle or Hummingbird, but keep the Gamin's if your dead set on having just one screen/unit.

honestly, if your running a split screen you will have a tough time ever navigating safely with a small screen, personally I would never do that for safety reason's as well as for practicality, nobody running a boat wants to squint to see a screen while driving, and switching between FF and GPS isn;t practical either, when I fish I use both simulataneously, most captain's I know do. I would recommend going with seperate units to put side by side persoanlly, you should be able to find something close to your range if you go with the Furuno LS4100 and find a GPS you like, you will get 2 screen's that are roughly the same size as what you are looking for in a multi screen unit but trying to squeeze 2 functions into less space. Your helm has plenty of room for both to be mounted, if a vhf is mounted in your electronics box, move it if needed, your electronics box infront of your controls is prime real state for your navigation and fish finding, a vhf should be somewhere that it can be accessed, but not where it might hinder space for other equipment that is of equal or more importance 95% of the time.

 

[Grog]

Trying to split a 5" screen is futile. If the GPS is working well, get a new FF. The newer models have fancier graphics both show where you are, one looks better and will update faster.

Eagle is the bottom tier of Lowrance, they function but don't expect much. Garmin has a really nice GPS but their FF's are soso, Furuno is quality but $, Raymarine has has screen issues recently, the others I can't really comment on.

If it's in your price range, the new Lorance models with the digital FF's give a nice image.

 

[crazygrady]

I've got the Garmin 440 on 208 Adventure. IT"S TOO SMALL!! I've got a 6"
Raymarine GPS I don't know the model. I use that naviagtion and the 440 for F/F.

 

[Parthery]

If you can stretch your budget a little bit more, you can get a refurb 2206 Garmin for $700, including the GSD21 fishfinder. Add a transom mounted transducer for another $60 or so and you would have a nice setup.

Go as big as you can screenwise....

 

[Bob's Cay]

I have a Garmin 188c that has been on my Overnighter for several years. I really like Garmin products and would recommend them. My unit is mounted just to port (almost centerline) of the top of the cabin on a RAM ball mount. I really like this system as it allows me to move an tilt the unit to be seen at different angles and from the port helm seat. Also the unit is easy to remove for security and up date reasons. I have a bimini top on mine and mounted the GPS antenna on top of my dash electronics box. It has worked fine there but if I were buying now I would look at a Garmin with a builtin antenna.

My screen size is OK, but like everybody else has said - "size matters"

 

[den3221]

Thanks for input.

From what I heard, the GPS/FF combos can be switched from split-screen to full-screen, and I wouldn't consider myself a super-serious fisherman (yet)....so you guys probably do more serious fishing and boating that I do, I am out at CBBT or off VA Beach maybe 6-10 times per year and Inland Cruising with wife and son other times.

Yes, the GPS and Fishfinder I have now are in working order, just very outdated (previous owner had bought these units). Both are B&W, but the GPS shows a black dot and lines that may be great when trying to find your way from offshore, but for the bay stuff I do, pretty worthless.

I was trying to go budget, but you get what you pay for like everyone is saying. This spring I had also planned on buying 2 new batteries, as well as replacing my switch panel and any wiring that is bad. Also thought about adding a 2nd bilge pump and other items........my budget for upgrades is 'unlimited' but my wife's isn't.

I have had the boat for 3 years and have been slowly replacing items as I can......but costs add up quickly. From reading other posts, I know Blue Seas is the best, but $120 for the 6-gang panel will kill my budget......

Yes, right now have the GPS and FF on dash, FM Radio in Electronics box and VHF Radio mounted inside cabin.......Electronics box on a 89 Overnighter too small to house GPS or FF, but probably a good idea to move the VHF in there.