GPS suggestions...
 

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I've had the 182C for 6 years on my 21 footer (which I think has been replaced by the GPSMAP292) and haven't had any problems with it.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.

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

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.

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?

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

[IMG]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...#^&#^&/GPS.jpg[/IMG]

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/...-sounder-combo

here ya go.

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!