GPS/fishfinder

B

BusRo

Cadet
Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
6
It's been awhile since I owned a boat. Now fishfinders offer so much. Anyone recommend a BRAND that is easy to read and follow? I believe I want the GPS included in it.Thanks for the help!!
 
I

imported_Curmudgeon

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 29, 2004
Messages
496
Re: GPS/fishfinder

.. recommend a BRAND that is easy to read and follow?<br /><br />Hands down ... Garmin!
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,216
Re: GPS/fishfinder

ExitCC, The most important part of a GPS is the size and resolution of the screen. Check out the number of pixels and the dimentions of the screen. Buy the largest number of pixels on the largest screen you can afford. If you get one adequate for a GPS Map display, it will be fine fo the FF part. since they will share the display, make sure you can minimize the FF display (maximize the GPS Display) while underway to the fishing grounds, and minimize the GPS display (Maximize the FF display) while fishing.<br /><br />Also, color FF are becomming cheaper. Check the number of pixels since they seem to have les of them in the color screens.
 
B

BusRo

Cadet
Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
6
Re: GPS/fishfinder

Chris, Thanks for the info! I'm still accepting suggestions.
 
Boatist

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: GPS/fishfinder

I like Lowrance better than Garmin but both are great units. Lowrance color units are brighter and much better out in the daylight. If you can afford it buy a color unit. I currently have a Lowrance Fish Finder and a Garmin GPS. The Lowrance Fish Finder is a 1984 unit and the Garmin GPS is 1995 unit.<br /><br />If your fishing deep salt water (over 250 feet) then no one beats Furuno.<br /><br />Reasons I like Lowrance unit better. First their color screens out in the daylight are brighter and eaiser to see. Lowrance base maps are much better than Garmin. Example even the cheapest Lowrance base maps has light and buoy data. It will not show every rock or a great coast line, and will not have depth contures, but with the buoy data you can find your way. Garmin uint I have also had the buoy and light data but today the base map for the same unit is much worse and they also removed all the bouy data. I feel they removed that data to sell more detailed maps. Hand held Lowrance units come with a 12 volt lighter plug, Garmin charges around $25 for a lighter plug.<br />One thing I do not like about both Lowrance and Eagle is they say their 200khz 20 degree transducer has a cone angle up to 60 degrees. While that is true it is very misleading. The standard for transducer cone angle is at the -3DB half power point. Lowrance is useing the -10 DB 1/10 power point. So their trying to make people think their units transducer is different and it is not.<br />Both brands you can buy extra cost detail maps that have all the buoy and light data plus water depth show rocks and detail shore lines. If there is a map made for your area and you want that detail then you can decide if it is worth it. For me the base map with light and buoy is all I need. <br /><br />Eagle is the same company at Lowrance and a lower cost. Depth finder may be exact unit with a little less power. When they first came out Lowrance was sold to marine dealers who would usually install them and give you some training. Unit sold to places like Wallmart have become Eagle but most stores do not install or give you any training. <br /><br />What you need depends greatly on how you will use your unit. Resoultion and lots of power a must for fishing deep water over 250 feet. Deep salt water then you need a 50 Khz transducer. Bass fishing in 15 to 40 of water power and resoultion do not make much difference. The 200khz transducer works better in shallow water unless your running down riggers and want to see your down Rigger ball. 200 Khz unit have a 20 degree as standard. so in 30 feet of water you will see a 10 circle under the transducer. 50Khz transducer have 45 degree standard cone angle so you can see down Rigger <br />balls and a 20 foot circle under the boat.<br /><br />Before you buy your unit go to a place that sells the units you are thinking about and compare the screens and also compare the data the base map has without any extra cost maps. Look at and area you know and see if it shows the light and buoys. Then when you decide on a unit check prices. Make sure you check the price here. Also if the store you checked out the units at does price matching and you treated you right buy from them.<br /><br />Lowrance has some good tutorials and also has many product emulators where you can download emulator and learn how the unit works on your PC. Only difference is you use mouse to hit buttons instead of fingers. Take your time picking a unit as they last a long time if you take care of the unit.<br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Tutorials/Sonar/sonar_tutorial_01.asp <br /> http://www. <br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/tutorials.asp <br /><br />lowrance.com/Software/PCSoftware/demos.asp<br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/ <br /><br /> http://www.garmin.com/marine/
 
P

phantoms

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 14, 2005
Messages
246
Re: GPS/fishfinder

Defenitly get the demo versions of some of the Lowrance models in the size/price range you want. Even if you don't buy a lowrance model, they'll give you a feel for what you can expect from some of the newer units, all from the comfort of your computer.
 
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