I have always stood by Garmin for my smaller boat, But now I have a bigger boat and will once again start going off shore some.
I have pleanty of room for most anything, Which wasn't the case nwith the small boat.

So what do you guys think?? Should I stay with Garmin or move up to something like a Furno?

I have had mixed reviews in my short search, some say color is great in sun lights and that LCD is the way to go, Others say that color LCD suck and should stay away from them??

I know ask 100 people and get 100 different answers LOL

Trying to stay under $1000 so what do you guys like and dislike, and what are your thoughts on new LCD as far as color goes??

Thanks guys & gals!

I really like color LCD in the sun, at least on the models I get to regularly use. Much more then almost all grayscale.

This is a dedicated fishfinder, correct? Or does it need to be your GPS too?

I've always been a Garmin guy as well. If it ever betrays me my view will change, but I've always liked their stuff.

Yes this will be a Fish finder only, I don't like combo units.

Thanks Pete

I got a great deal on a discontinued Garmin color combo unit this year. Never had color before, will never be without from now on. Also don't like combos, but have a 16' boat, so figured save room.
Does't work that way.
With a 5" screen, you can't really run a split screen. Next year will get another color combo unit and run plotter on one and depthfinder on the other and have backup.
After using Furuno, Sitex, Hummingbird, and Garmin on my boat and on friends' boats, Garmin is the easiest to use by far. Talked to a friend about the Garmin radar and he says the radar is also easier to use than his old Furuno.
It's always fun getting to buy new stuff for your boat.

Go with a 600 watt rms color sounder. LCD or CRT, whatever you prefer but if you want to get good soundings in deeper water, a 600 watt maching will give you that. Chk out Si-Tex

IMHO It's all about the transducer. My buddy has a furuno667, and this year upgraded the transducer. the difference was 10 fold better.
But you've been fishing a while and I think having good spots if far more important than a good fishfinder.

thanks everyone, so far almost everyone said Furuno or Garmin, color is still in the air, but Ilike color so thats what I am looking for.

Stripadan, you did not say what model you got??

I had a Garmin 160 on my other boat, I could watch my line jigging off the back.

fishsmith, what did he get for the transducer?? Some one told me to look at the FVC620 or 585

thanks everyone, so far almost everyone said Furuno or Garmin, color is still in the air, but Ilike color so thats what I am looking for.

Stripadan, you did not say what model you got??

I had a Garmin 160 on my other boat, I could watch my line jigging off the back.

I got the 498. It retailed for 9 something last year without transducer. I got it in March for 450 with transducer. I couldn't pass it up.

Thanks Salty, but I want to go color

I have narrowed it down to these 4, what do you guys think??


Furuno fvc620,

Sitex CVS-833,

Raymarine DS600

Lowrance X510X

I have the Furuno 620 on my 21'CC for a year and a half now and have not regretted it one bit and would purchase it all over again. clear clean picture even in full sunlight. Many adjustments or you can let it run auto if you want. It holds bottom a WOT and thats with the Airmar trans mount transducer. Installation was easy did it myself. If you have anymore questions email me or PM and I'll answer them for you. Good prices can be had online with free shipping and no tax.

Kevin

I have the Furuno 620 on my 21'CC for a year and a half now and have not regretted it one bit and would purchase it all over again. clear clean picture even in full sunlight. Many adjustments or you can let it run auto if you want. It holds bottom a WOT and thats with the Airmar trans mount transducer. Installation was easy did it myself. If you have anymore questions email me or PM and I'll answer them for you. Good prices can be had online with free shipping and no tax.

Kevin

Any problems with the transducer? My buddy has a Raymarine C120 with the transom mount Airmar. New and factory installed July '06 on a 23' Pacific. He's had the bracket break twice (without hitting anything). Replacement's been covered by warranty but still sux to have to re-install. Last time we secured it with zip-ties while waiting for replacement. They've been working fine, but for the money it isn't right to have to do that.

I have a furuno with an upgraded transducer. I love it. If I were you go with a furuno digital one; 585 or the 620. Get a decent transducer and use it inthe non auto mode. Color is a must so you know what you are looking at. It is well worth the money. PM me with any questions.

I have the RAY ds600X /P 58 ducer and love it
LINK

I have a garmin 498 combo and the chart is grat but the ff is average. For next year I'd like to get a better ff. I'm considering furuno but like to research more.

What transducer do you have Matt? I hear guys saying they can tell the difference between marks of difeent types of fish, and also bait. What level transducer does this? 600w or 1000w.

Anyone have screenshots showing the difference?

Thanks, Jeff

I have the Furuno 620 on my 21'CC for a year and a half now and have not regretted it one bit and would purchase it all over again. clear clean picture even in full sunlight. Many adjustments or you can let it run auto if you want. It holds bottom a WOT and thats with the Airmar trans mount transducer. Installation was easy did it myself. If you have anymore questions email me or PM and I'll answer them for you. Good prices can be had online with free shipping and no tax.

Kevin

Kevin were did you get that transducer?? I don't see that as a option on there site, or is that what thy use??


I also have to figure out what I am going to use? I hate the idea of drilling for a thur hull, and if you shot thur then I can't use the water temp and stuff.

I am installing Trim Tabs this week (thur or Fri) and they might be in the way of a transom mount?

I purchased the transducer and unit from BOE Marine. I went with the transom mount just for the reason of water temp I figured the speed was more accurate off my GPS anyway something always seems to get stuck in the sensor opening on my Yamaha outboard. Also putting a big hole in the boat just dosen't seem right to me although I guess it is supposed to work better.

Stripadan I did have one problem with the unit kicking up at first but it was due to a stainless screw that was plugging the old hole. Once I took that out and plugged the hole, the right way with epoxy, then the problem went away.

Kevin,

Do you know your transducer model # and what watt power it is?

Thanks, Jeff

Kevin,

Do you know your transducer model # and what watt power it is?

Thanks, Jeff


Glad you asked that!! I forgot!!

I'm at work now I'll let you know when I get home tonight.

Joe-

I bought a brand new in box, Furuno 582L on eBay for $700, then I bought a 1KW in-hull Airmar transducer for the same money. It marks bait at 30 kts, holds bottom on the cruise and never touches salt water. There are some deals out there, especially if you have all winter to look!

Go with the Furuno or the Raymarine, Hate to say this but IMHO the Garmin sucks. If you fish deep water get a 1,000 watt unit. Get the transducer that the MFG recommends for the unit. Color is the only way to go!

Thanks all!!

Furuno is what I am getting and it is the 620, But it says it is a 600w machine but they have 1K ducers for options??

Ok I got it now, 1k will just work better.

How hard is it to put a thur hull?? anyone here done it them selfs?? Or is it better to be done by a pro??

Well, I love my Humminbird GPS/Finder combo..It has never let me down

Mako Joe and fish4striper the model is P66 and it has 600 watts of power. This is how it is listed for Furuno
FURUNO 525ST-PWD TM MULTI XDCR F/ 6000-600L-582L 16&1850 610

When you go to that site they give this as option, I belive it is the same as what you have.
FURUNO 525T-PWD TM W/ TEMP 50/200KHZ (10PIN)

Thanks!!

Thanks all!!

Furuno is what I am getting and it is the 620, But it says it is a 600w machine but they have 1K ducers for options??



The 620 is a 600 watt machine and won't work with the 1K transducer.
The 585 works with both 600 and 1K.

But does the 585 actually put out 1,000 watts? Just because it works with a 1,000 watt transducer doesn't mean its putting out 1,000 watts!

Yes 585 is a 1000W machine. But I belive all I will need is the 620, I am not in deep deeo water all that much and I havbe never been in more then 200ft

Thanks Kevin.

I understand the 1000w is for deep water but it must show bait and fish better also.

Hooper, Have you seen the difference between 600w and 1000w? If so ,how do they compare.

Makojoe the differance between that one and themodel number I gave you is mine has speed and temp while that model only has temp. I checked their website and they have the 525st and it is $116. Other than that they have the same specs.

Kevin

The more powerful unit will definately give you a clearer picture, even in shallow water. Sometimes the literature says its better for the deep water, but that's really not the major advantage. With the bigger set, you are better able to distinguish tuna from bluefish, and bass from blues. And you can definately pick up bait better with the bigger machine. Also, if you do any codfishing at all - the bigger machine makes fishing easier.
Sometimes I set our machine on dual display, and its surprising how sometimes I'll pick up bait balls on 53mgz, that barely show on 200 (that said, I most often use the 200).

Here is the best analogy I can think of -- we just replaced our Radar last week and when it came down to antennaes - we chose to upgrade from from the 24 mile to the 48 mile. - I'm never in a million years going to pick up a target at 48 miles (not even 24 for that matter), put the increased power gives a much clearer picture of everything inside the normal range that we monitor - I can now see every single lobster trap, and can get a much better read on the direction other boats are traveling.

Hope that helps a little.

Oh, upgrading the transdoucer can help if you don't want to spend the cake on the bigger unit. We've got the monster Airmar, and its a nice addition.

Makojoe the differance between that one and themodel number I gave you is mine has speed and temp while that model only has temp. I checked their website and they have the 525st and it is $116. Other than that they have the same specs.


Thats ok cause I have the GPS for speed, and I am not all that concerned about speed in the first place.


big jay The more powerful unit will definately give you a clearer picture, even in shallow water. Sometimes the literature says its better for the deep water, but that's really not the major advantage. With the bigger set, you are better able to distinguish tuna from bluefish, and bass from blues. And you can definately pick up bait better with the bigger machine. Also, if you do any codfishing at all - the bigger machine makes fishing easier.
Sometimes I set our machine on dual display, and its surprising how sometimes I'll pick up bait balls on 53mgz, that barely show on 200 (that said, I most often use the 200).

Here is the best analogy I can think of -- we just replaced our Radar last week and when it came down to antennaes - we chose to upgrade from from the 24 mile to the 48 mile. - I'm never in a million years going to pick up a target at 48 miles (not even 24 for that matter), put the increased power gives a much clearer picture of everything inside the normal range that we monitor - I can now see every single lobster trap, and can get a much better read on the direction other boats are traveling.

Hope that helps a little.

Oh, upgrading the transdoucer can help if you don't want to spend the cake on the bigger unit. We've got the monster Airmar, and its a nice addition.


Bigjay, Thanks for making my desicion that much harder!

Really all you guys have been a great help!! Thanks alot!!


Well my wallet is telling me what I need to buy so its going to be the 620, I just have to see which transducer I want?
The unit is $677 and the transom ducer is $90 so ltes say $800 I might be able to squeez another $100

But akk the other ducers are thur hull and I am a little scared to drill a hole in my boat?

I have the 1000w and it is awesome. If you want I can take some pics if I remember next time I'm out and show you the different marks and what they are.

have the 1000w and it is awesome. If you want I can take some pics if I remember next time I'm out and show you the different marks and what they are.


Do you have th 620 with a 1000K ducer??

If so I like to see it, Thanks

My Trim Tabs came today so I will be putting them on tomorrow.

keeperreaper can you send me those picts too when you get the chance?

To confuse everyone even more the 620 with 600KW trans picks up bottom fish at 350 feet east of the bank no problem.

Ok I ordered the 620 with the thur hull Airmar Tilted Element Transducer - Bronze - 12 Degree 600W total to the door $865 to the door

Should have tuesday

Thanks everyone, and I will let you guys know how it works out.

Any one have any advice to make putting a thur hull in??

see pm's.

Best of luck with it!

Any one have any advice to make putting a thur hull in??

Good Luck with the new unit. When puttin in the thru hull make sure it is clear of your trailers rollers or bunks.

Thanks Fish!!

It will be here Thursday or Friday!