GPS choice

[ciscokidd]

Okay, plan to buy a gps unit for boat, considering Lowrance Elite HD5, Garmin 546S and the most expensive of the 3 a Garmin 740S

Boat has depth finder gauge already, the Lowrance comes with Transducer and Coastal US and Canada maps, the other 2 do not include anything, Lowrance is the least expensive similar from what I can see to the 546S, cant be upgraded with radar/sonar. The Garmin is the next jump, save for it? I have never had a marine GPS, this is our first larger boat, will be used in a 25.5 ft boat in Pacific Northwest, some overnighting is planned, more as I go along, limited night boating unless caught late getting in somewhere

Thoughts appreciated.

Cheers

 

[pjitty]

Re: GPS choice

Had a Raymarine C70 nothing but problems, finally got rid of it an bought a Garmin 740s, I have the sonar transducer [shoot thru] and could not be happier. I know the Garmin has good reliability, not sure about the others. Best bet is due a Google search for problems with all of the units and see what comes up. Good Luck...

Joe D

 

[ssobol]

Re: GPS choice

Had a Raymarine C70 nothing but problems, finally got rid of it an bought a Garmin 740s, I have the sonar transducer [shoot thru] and could not be happier. I know the Garmin has good reliability, not sure about the others. Best bet is due a Google search for problems with all of the units and see what comes up. Good Luck...

Joe D

I have had a Lowrance unit, a Garmin unit, and a Humminbird unit with map cards in them. These all use different map formats. I prefer the Lowrance (Nauti-Path) maps to the others.

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS choice

Without a doubt the 740 is the way to go.
Once you get used to a large touch screen you'll need go back to a small display with the cumbersome pushbuttons again.

 

[Auger01]

Re: GPS choice

In my book the top three are: 1. Garmin 2. Garmin and 3. Garmin. In that order. :eyebrows:

 

[EMC 1810SS]

Re: GPS choice

I have the 740S and love it. I used my old Airmar Transducer that was hooked up to my Furuno sounder. Pop the extra 100 bucks for the S verson or you will need a sounder box......

 

[NYBo]

Re: GPS choice

I have had a Lowrance unit, a Garmin unit, and a Humminbird unit with map cards in them. These all use different map formats. I prefer the Lowrance (Nauti-Path) maps to the others.

I am able to use the same map card for my Lowrance XG and my Humminbird 385ci.