Portable GPS vs Combo

[Grady_Crazy]

I have a 208 and am wanting to install a good GPS. In the electronics box I currently have a Garmin fish finder 250, AM/FM Stereo and my VHF radio. I do not have a hardtop and have a Garmin handheld GPSIII. My options, as I see them are:

Install a combo unit in the place of the fish finder. My GW dealer says it will work fine but do I want a combo? External antenna?

Install a binacle GPS on the outside of the electronics box. No obstructions for the antenna but it is exposed to the elements and have to think about securing it.

Use a good portable like the Garmin GPSMAP 276C or 478 on the outside of the box. Smaller screen and gotta power this this also. Since we mainly do day trips, battery life should not be a problem.

I would like to get opinions of those who have been there.

 

[Grog]

Combos aren't bad but you really can't split a 5" screen and still see things. How much room do you have?

 

[Average Joe]

I have a Garmin 498 (external antenna) and an ICOM 502 VHF and the two fit nicely in my e-box. The 540 series is basically the replacement for the 498.

One of the good things about the Garmin is the split-screen view is horizontal rather than vertical so it's a little easier on the eyes.

I still carry my Garmin handheld for a backup unit. With the optional 12v power cord I can use that if needed.

 

[Brad1]

Grady-Crazy,

I have a similar situation to yours.

When I originally bought my boat, 1) I didn't like the electronics compartment setup, so I made a flushmount panel out of starboard. 2) I already had a Garmin GPS 5 deluxe, so I just mounted it on a R.A.M. mount that I bolted to the starboard flushmount panel I made. For a fish finder, I went with a Lowrance 107 cdf. Also mounted on that flushmount panel is the remote for the JBL stereo I installed (the unit itself is in the cuddy) and my Horizon VHF.

At the time, I liked the idea of a seprate fish finder and GPS because I figured if one of them went bad, I wouldn't have to buy a whole new unit to replace it (as you would with a combo).

However, since then, I have changed my thinking and I'm now leaning towards a combo. Couple reasons for this. 1) I ran out of room on the flushmount panel. I was kicking around the idea of adding an autopilot, but I have no where to mount the control unit. 2) Trying to view that little GPS screen while it's shaking on that R.A.M. mount while I'm running in rough water, is flat out impossible.

So now my plan is to swap out the Lowrance 107cdf with a Lowrance LMS 525 cdf. I'll put the 107cdf on my small boat. I'm going with the 525 for several reasons. It uses the same transducer and same opening I cut on my flushmount panel as the 107 cdf (making the installation quicker), and I have $250 Boaters World gift certificates and they sale that model there.

That portable Garmin your considering seems like a nice unit however. But if you go that route, make sure it doesn't shake around on it's mount like my little GPS V does on it's R.A.M. mount, else you will regret the decision.

Brad

 

[CJBROWN]

I too have the 502 with a Lowrance LMS335C. That's the smaller screen for the plotter/finder. Combo units aren't highly rated for small screens or small boats. They work better as one or the other. I have been using a Garmin handheld, and it works fine but talk about a small screen! It's fine in the day but at night these old eyes need reading glasses to see it and that's not very convenient when youre trying to steer too.

I finally picked up the antenna for the GPS function on the lowrance. I figure I'll use it from time to time, and have the Garmen as a backup. A built in plotter/GPS does require an external antenna, but generally they can be mounted on the dash.

As a general consensus, for other than the high-end Furuno and Ray Marine stuff, Garmin is the choice for mapping, and Lowrance for a fishfinder. Niether does the other very well. The BlueChart mapping for the Garmin is fantastic. The mapping for the Lowrance is not so hot. And I've heard the Garmin finder isn't all that great. I have the transom mounted 'ducer because it was cheap, easy, and gives me water temp. I know, the newer shoot-thru's have temp too, but at a cost. The lowrance works really well for an inexpensive fish finder.


I have also considered flush-mounting the two units, its so much cleaner. But that storage compartment sure comes in handy for small charts, gloves, fishing license, coozies...you get the picture. It's like a glove box for the boat. There's not a lot of storage elsewhere on the 208 that's handy like that.

 

[uncljohn]

I know its not ideal, but my sonar is mouted outside of the electronics box to the port side of the companionway. This is how the original owner had it. It means I have to unplug it and stow it away each time, which isn't too bad. Its also a fairly cheap Eagle unit.

In my electr box I have my mounted VHF, my stereo, and a Garmin 178C GPS. It was more important to have the GPS in front of my face than the sonar.

And I started w/ a handheld and found that you couldn't see it at all when running fast and trying to steer, and in the dark it was all but worthless if you had to steer too. Sitting still, moving slowly, or as a passenger, it worked ok.

 

[bondstreet]

I have a Garmin 478 and love it. I only use it as a chart plotter, even though it will do other things. I have used it all summer on my Father-in-law's 29 Chawk along with a dedicated fish finder. I've been out in some wet and nasty conditions and had to practically drive by the plotter. I could only see what was close to me. I also use it in my car for the times I don't know where I am going. The only issue I have had is the battery no longer takes a charge after 5 months. I should probably contact Garmin about it. Since I have a chart plotter and fish finder on the boat, I plan to use the 478 as a backup on my Grady and may buy an XM antenna for it and plug it into my stereo. I looked into a subscription for real time weather, but that is just to expensive. Since I stay close to shore, I can get weather on my cellpone with calls for weather warnings. Someone posted an intersting comment on Garmin vs Lowrance. I was considering changing to all Garmin (I have been using them for years and like the interface) when the old stuff on my boat - not color, dies.

Chris

 

[striped bass]

Looked hard and long at the different options just like you. Just bought a Garmin 440S for my Tournament 225G and it has GPS, Fish Finder, Plotter and DS. The clarity, color and resolution are excellent so the size is a non issue. Their aeriel is internal with no exterior mount. You might tale a look at this 440S on your next visit to West Marine.

 

[Grady_Crazy]

Decisions, Decisions

I like the size of the 540 screen and the portability of the 478. Since I already have the the fish finder and tranducer installed, I am leaning toward moving my fish finder to the port side and installing a 540s in the electronics box. My dealer said my existing transducer may work with a new Garmin combo ao I plan on giving it a try this spring.

I do want to have the GPS and the depth displayed at all times. We run inshore a lot and water depth is very very important.

I saw another thread with the opinions of an internal antenna working properly in the e-box and my dealer said it works fine in there, they do it all the time.

Still keeping an open mind.

 

[Grady_Crazy]

This is a little light, I had to cut it out of a picture and blow it up a little and brighten it to see the box. I am sure it looks like all 208 E-boxes.

A 525 or a 540 here and remove the fish finder? I don't like the idea of moving the fish finder to the port side.

 

[HOOPER]

I have a Garmin 545s with the internal antenna and couldn't be happier. I don't like drilling holes in the boat if it can be avoided. I flush mounted mine on the console, but may not have room for a VHF radio. Using a handheld unit for now. Good luck in your decission.

 

[BobP]

Having one larger screen instead of two smaller units - is more space efficient, and the color screens are expensive so one instead of two can be cost effective.
Make sure you demo watch both screen at the same time to see if big enough, or get a bigger unit.

If you also had radar as a thrid combo, I'd suggest a hand held second GPS in case the combo acts up, as mine did. All eggs in one basket, not so good.

I don't know why there are not more touch screen around, I've been using them at the bank for 20 years.

 

[Grady_Crazy]

Considering how we use our 208, I feel a 540 combo will be fine. I am keeping my Fish Finder 250 so I can always re-install it if I want. With the 540 showing the chart and the depth reading. I think it will work well for me. The 208 is a small boat, day trips in good weather so I feel it will be fine.

I have been using my portable Garmin GPS V, so the 5" screen will look good, and it stays in the boat.

Thanks for the ideas and insight.

 

[mrksem454]

Nice post and I chose this particular portable model for the mid-range price category because it’s still feature laden, rugged and dependable. The 597CI is another terrific model that costs are low. The 383c is also a good choice when you don’t have a great deal of room where you’ll mount it because the high resolution.