I'm looking to upgrade the GPS on my 20' cc. I have been looking at a couple of different models and wanted any feedback, also had some questions and would appreciate some insight on the pros and cons:
Northstar Explorer 650 and 657
Garmin 498c

Also,what's the pro/cons of internal antenna vs external?

Most of my fishing is done inshore for stripers in 10-30' of water, occasionally in water 50-100'.

Thanks!

I just picked up a Lorwance 522c, with a NauticPath card easy to use nice hi resolution screen that can be seen from a angle, and Lowrance fishfinders are sweet.
I have had it ready to go for over a week ,looks like this weekend should be nice.

humminbird 787 c2 (now with sidescan) have had it for a year now. awsome little unit. clear and intuitive. I am a big support of companies with good customer service. Right now i am having a problem with the gps antenna or connection or something. As long as you are within the year warranty you send it to them the fix it or replace it and send it back total round trip 9 days max.

No questions asked. Its a perfect striper finder :) finds blues sometimes too ;). You could probably get last years model pretty cheap now since they are pushing the sidescan like it's going out of style.

oh yea, the navionics chip is a must.

We just put the Garmin 498C in my sons boat and it looks good. Lookes brighter than previous Garmins...

I just got a Garmin 498. With their new ones out, you can get this one online for just over $500. Pm me if you want to know where. I flush mounted it and the chart looks great.

I'm considering a Northstar 660, which is the same as the 557 only in a 7" screen, the 557 is a 5" screen. From what I have heard/read from other owners, the NS GPS/FF's are good units, what I really want it for is the information the unit will give me out of my Outboard Engine as I have a Verado on the way and the unit will give me all the engine vitals at a glance as well as fuel-flow, I'd just need the SmartCraft gateway/cable for another $80, I also like the "highway" feature on it, good for getting me through my tricky spots at night and in the fog. I also like the unit as it is slim and not wide. When I'm navigating, I want to see far ahead as like most, I don't really give a hoot what is to my port or starboard, I want to know what lies ahead and the taller screen will do that. For under a grand for the 660 with a ducer and under $900 without, it is what I will most likely go with. I do know that the 650/657/498 come in at much less and are a really good deal.

Thanks for the responses...I think I am leaning towards the NS 657. I need to learn more about antennas, I'm quite clueless, and need to know if I should even put that much emphasis on them.

Flynny, If you have an open boat(nothing above) the gps receiver, you can use an internal antenna. If you have anything overhead, t-top,hardtop, closed roof, you need to use an external antenna mounted outside.

Antennas are line of site to the satellite. On a cc, internal/external will not make a difference. If you have a hard top, it could block some reception but not all. That would be the main thing to think of when choosing internal/external.

Plus with external, that's just one more wire to run.

I take my unit out every time, and have had problems with bad connections. Just have to keep them clean.