I'm looking for recommendations for an economical GPS unit. Will be used mainly within the bay - 15 miles offshore. Want to have the capabilities to record way points...

Any suggestions?

price range?

Ya, some more details would help.
Price range, what size boat, how familiar you are with electronics,ect..

Price range- let's say $500-$1000.
21' CC is the boat.

Currently don't have a lot of experience with GPS electronics, however I'm taking the Coast Guard Auxiliary's Advanced Navigation course right now. It's actually a great course. It does focus on "old-school" navigation techniques, but also will cover electronics in the future... I hope to have a solid foundation by May 1.

do you already have a fish finder:? do you want a fish finder? separate or combo?

Finalizing a deal on a used Seaswirl Striper that has a decent fish finder (Lowrance X67C) but no GPS. So, no I don't think I need a combo.

I would suggest a Garmin chartplotter,
Garmin is the most user friendly one to use out there, and go with the biggest screen size you can fit and afford.

i agree. if your not going with a combo the garmin are pretty intuitive.

when you decide on a model check with user reviews.... I think i remember reading somewhere that some of the screens don't view so well with a good amount of sunlight.

:btu: Garmin makes some really nice GPS/Chartplotters. I'd recommend getting a color display, although I think most all of them are color now.

I've had the 182C for 6 years on my 21 footer (which I think has been replaced by the GPSMAP292) and haven't had any problems with it. Pretty sure they can be bought for a little over $500.

garmin bar none. for 1000 bucks you can get a real nice one too.

I second the Garmin stuff. I just have a simple Garmin 152 GPS. For about $300. Will get you anywhere and back. Just not as fancy as the chartplotters but realistically does all the same just no overlay.

HUMMINBIRD 787C2.....

I also like the Garmin, Nice easy interface. I have the GPSMAP 172C. Color is worth the extra money in the chart plotter. I boat with a buddy and he has the Garmin 182 black & white. It always takes us a while to figure out again if the black bouys = the red bouys or the green.

It always takes us a while to figure out again if the black bouys = the red bouys or the green.

Here's a tip - the red are always even numbers and the green are always odd. ;)

HUMMINBIRD 787C2.....

thats what i got :bl: and would highly reccommend that as a combo unit... For small boats its perfect. and the quality of picture i think is better than the garmins:wavey:

thats what i got :bl: and would highly reccommend that as a combo unit... For small boats its perfect. and the quality of picture i think is better than the garmins:wavey:


I have one also, I am really happy with it, awesome crisp clear picture..Have not had any problems yet..Plus you can add the side sonar to this unit with a transducer change...But I love mine.

I have one also, I am really happy with it, awesome crisp clear picture..Have not had any problems yet..Plus you can add the side sonar to this unit with a transducer change...But I love mine.

you can!

i didnt know i thought i was going to have to buy a whole new unit (which i wouldn't have done) thats awsome news!

Would it make sense to pull the current fish finder and ad the humminbird?
Or would you keep both if I were to go with that one?

Thanks for all the feedback!

I was thinking of a garmin combo for my new boat. They have a nice built-in chart. But that side sonar by Hummingbird is very intriguing. Does anyone know if their patent will keep the others from doing it?

Would it make sense to pull the current fish finder and ad the humminbird?
Or would you keep both if I were to go with that one?

Thanks for all the feedback!


i'd say two can't hurt.:grins:

My boat came with a humminbird matrix already installed so all I had to do was just pop of the matrix and pop on the 787c2 . When I baught it I ordered it without the transducer because there was already the same one on the boat...You can by the side scan ducer.Mr.hunters...They sell that unit now with the option of the side scan ducer...I dont know, I am happy with what I have. For now I will stay with the standerd ducer..

Screenshot from mine last fall..Check out the water temps!!! be awhile before we see that again!Anyway you can see the split screen ..fishfinder...GPS...ITs a nice unit

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&/GPS.jpg

yea... i probably will too. but its nice to know if i want it i dont need a new unit.

gotta say that system is nice. put us on a bunch of fish last year.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/316842046.htm?bct=t13046503%3Bcielectronics-navigation%3Bcifishfinders%3Bcigps-sounder-combo

here ya go.

Screenshot from mine last fall..Check out the water temps!!! be awhile before we see that again!Anyway you can see the split screen ..fishfinder...GPS...ITs a nice unit

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&/GPS.jpg

Wow, that's a pretty good machine - looking at the icons it even tells you that those were bloooofish. :shocked: :jump: :wave:

Now that you heard from all the Garmin owners.

I been using Raymarine products for quite a few years.
The new color 435 has a bigger screen than the rest for 700$.

I just upgraded my old Ray (B&W) to the 435 and its SCHWEET !!!

Anyway do your homework.
Good luck, try ebay, I got a great deal.

I have a Raymarine 425 way to slow on the redraw. I just got a garmin 178 (small unit)for my skiff and hope to upgrade the Ray with a garmin 3206 so I can add radar later on. Check out the Garmin 498 two of my friends have them nice units and the price just came down a little too.

I want to add. The garmin 178 replaced a Humminbird 15 Max fishfinder that has been replaced every year for three years . bad power cables moisture in screen and background light good thing for extended warranties.

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& said he used a pre-existing transducer and just swapped the units. Could I do that with a Lowrance combo? Any feedback on their products?

[QUOTE=NEXT2NUN;470669]I have a Raymarine 425 way to slow on the redraw.


Exactly !
I've been on MANY boats with Raymarine units, and thats one problem I find with them, VERY slow processors compared to others !
The slow redraw can make navigating in unfamiliar waters tough! !
Also, using the functions like adding / editing waypoints, finding services (gas docks,tide information, dockage) ect... can be confusing compared to other units !
Raymarine makes great radar and the high definition fish finder is great also, but for a chartplotter, there are much better choices!

My old 185 craped out,I am going to get a Garmin 498c.
I know it is being discontinued when the new line up comes out in
April.
The unit is loaded ready to go with charts and ducer for around $619.00.
I hope the price drops a little more when the new line is introduced:btu:

I have either the 492 or the 498, the one that is gps onlt, and I love it. Preloaded with charts for everywhere, fast enough refresh rate, easily readable screen in sunlight.

I haver a Lowrance 337c with the dual frequency transducer, and I llove that as well. But don't go by my word, I am new to this crap

:buds:

I have one also, I am really happy with it, awesome crisp clear picture..Have not had any problems yet..Plus you can add the side sonar to this unit with a transducer change...But I love mine.

Where does it say you can add the side sonah!!!!

Where does it say you can add the side sonah!!!!

Dunno, he's got me looking at side now. This is all I could find:

http://www.humminbird.com/retail/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=Humminbird&category%5Fname=Transom+Mount+Transducer&product%5Fid=1390

[QUOTE=NEXT2NUN;470669]I have a Raymarine 425 way to slow on the redraw.


Exactly !
I've been on MANY boats with Raymarine units, and thats one problem I find with them, VERY slow processors compared to others !
The slow redraw can make navigating in unfamiliar waters tough! !
Also, using the functions like adding / editing waypoints, finding services (gas docks,tide information, dockage) ect... can be confusing compared to other units !
Raymarine makes great radar and the high definition fish finder is great also, but for a chartplotter, there are much better choices!


Strange I never had any issues with mine....lightning fast...:huh: :huh:

Thats why i went with another one, but color this time.

Anyway check on other boards too and get opinions. Garmin does a nice job too.

[QUOTE=Van;471063][QUOTE=Raider Ronnie;470748]


Strange I never had any issues with mine....lightning fast...:huh: :huh:

Thats why i went with another one, but color this time.


Maybe you just don't know any better :rotf2:
:hidin:

Van you never see redraw on a garmin. With my Raymarine on a drift it constantly redraws. If your under way it's not bad at all, but when your trolling real slow near rocks it gets a little hairy waiting for a redraw. Or when your hooked up and you want someone to steer while you reel one in and they can't figure out whats going on.

This is the newest version the 435, could be different.

Independant review

http://www.marinews.com/electronic_test_details.php?tID=81


Summary:
The Raychart 435i performed well on our test session, with quick updates when the scale was changed. Display size is excellent for the price, easily visible at low speed and excellent in daylight.
The chart colouration is great with close renditions of paper charts available. Navigation figures are big and bold. Like all multiple purpose tools, there is a bit of getting used to the menu system, but it's not at all a clumsy unit.
I found the menu system is easily to work using the multi-directional Trackpad and accompanying entry buttons. The screen has a status display on top and a dynamic function list below complete with pop-up screen menus. You soon get the logic from the concise manual and it is easy to use.
Accuracy was good on our trip. Lights and features all popped up about where they should have been as we passed them by. Only real drawback was the gloss screen. This can reduce visibility at night due to ambient light glare; it certainly made it darn hard for me to photograph at sea.
In summary, this is a competitive chartplotter on price and most definitely in terms of quality.
The fact the 435i can be linked with a PC for waypoint storage is another advantage. Also at a retail price of around $1800, plus chart costs it makes a good choice for a boatie short on dashboard space.

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Ronnie maybe you don't know how to use it.:buds:
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Anyway jk sorry for the thread hijack, this is prolly not helping. Search the internet and make your chioce based on your OWN education about these units.

get a cheap handheld and spend the savings on the fishfinder.

The Garmin 172c is a great, economical unit...cheap money......The bluecharts are pretty decent as well.

Garmin, Raymarine...both excellent make excellent economical GPS units. I do however prefer my Lowrance.....awesome graphics...but again. all make great units.