Which Radio and speakers to install?

[gradywhite248]

Looking to install a new Radio in the 248 this winter? I know a lot of you have installed radios so what should i install. Would like four speakers and be able to control with an I-phone.
Please attached photos if you have them.

I also have thought about installing a Garmin plotter / finder with the radio / radar option. I believe its a 741?
Thoughts on this?????

 

[suzukidave]

i'm shopping plotters as well.

the 741s is a nice unit but i think it is too much money unless you want all the features.

if you don't need the features noted above then the garmin 70dv will give you the same sized touch screen, equivalent chart plotting speed and includes sonar and a transducer with downvision out of the box for under $700 with charts right now. it has built in wifi and will also network with other garmins on the garmin ethenet.

the potential bonus features in a 741s over a 70dv all require you to buy the nmea network components to build a network which is spendy and you will also have to buy a transducer and esepcially if you want chirp and/or downvision it will cost you. if you do get an nmea network it will read nmea 2000 compliant instrument signals off your motor and do radar and ais/dsc capacity. do you need those things?

another midrange option is the roughly equivalent to 741s raymarine a78. also a 7" touchscreen it will do the networkthings and has downvision built in to the bundled transducer for $750 with charts at west marine right now. its main limit is a maximum 600' depth on the transducer. also, not quite as nice or as featured as the garmin but very close and a great deal.

 

[Parthery]

Lowrance HDS-7 can be had for comfortably under $750 these days, including transducer.

You can add the Sonichub for $250 or so, which comes with two speakers. It's a good unit, for the money.

 

[gradywhite248]

Thanks Im going to take a look at the 70dv.

 

[TUNAHUNTER197]

I just picked up a Fusion RA-205 for my head unit. Haven't knstalled it yet, but it is NMEA2000 comtapitable. Planning on adding 4 JL speakers (2 at the helm and 2 in the cockpit), the wired remote (NRX200i) , and Sirius connection and antena. Sorry can't really give you a review on it, but was told its a solid setup. Let us know what you end up with.