Combo GPS

[davesparks2001]

We have a 1993 Starcraft 191 19' Bowrider we just got last year. I'd like to put a fishfinder/gps unit on it. I'm still learning the ropes as this is our first boat so I'd love some input as to what units have the most bang for the buck. I don't have a lot of space in the cockpit so I thought a combo would be the way to go but if I'm wrong I'll listen to good advice. I know these things get pretty pricey and I'm prepared for about $600-700. Thanks, Dave

 

[jhebert]

Re: GPS receiver, chart plotter, display, cartography and SONAR

Re: GPS receiver, chart plotter, display, cartography and SONAR

The best value in a combination of a GPS receiver, a display, a chart plotter, the chart cartography, and a SONAR is really impossible to determine. I have been making a study of this for several years, and I never find any convergence toward a clear best-value winner. There are just too many variables.

In general, however, I would say the best value often lies in older models being closed-out. The life span of these products as current models has decreased to less than two years. It is quite possible to find a relatively new and unused just-out-of-date model at a substantially reduced price.

In buying older models, one concern for the GPS receiver is its ability to lock with the current WAAS PRN codes in use. WAAS PRN codes changed in July 2007, and some older GPS receivers cannot be updated to use the new PRN codes.

I reviewed three moderately prices combination devices just a year or two ago, and a couple are now no longer current models. The Raymarine A60, is being sold at ridiculously low prices. I believe I saw it offered for under $300.

Here are links to the reviews. Reading the reviews will acquaint you with the features generally found in these devices at this price level:

Raymarine A60
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/A60.html

Lowrance 500 Series
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/L500.html

Standard-Horizon CP300
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/CP300.html

 

[davesparks2001]

Re: Combo GPS

Well I stopped at Bass Pro Shop the other day and ended up leaving there with a Lowrance HDS5 with Lake Insights cartography preloaded. We are pleasure boaters that will occassionally fish so it looked to me like the lake insights would be enough detail and saved about $100 over getting the base model and adding a navionics card. This forum has been a great way to avoid blunders for a boating newbie such as myself so I wanted to list this on here. I haven't taken the new unit out of the box yet and will check back here before I lock myself into it. If anyone knows any reason not to go with this unit or something else in the $750 neighborhood that's significantly better I'm all ears. Thanks, Dave

 

[davesparks2001]

Re: Combo GPS

Well I don't see anyone talking me away from the Lowrance so I'll try to install it soon. Next question, it came with a transducer to mount at the transom and lists an alternate install for thru-hull but suggests a different transducer for that install. Which is best?