Need gps/fishfinder recommendations please!

[84aquasport]

Re: Need gps/fishfinder recommendations please!

I'm also ready to purchase in the next day or so. I think I'm going with the Garmin441s-the 's' stands for sounder.It can be purchased with or without the transducer, I think. It has the charts built into it already,not sure if that includes lakes. Tried it out at west marine and it seemed good to me, -but I have not actually used it. You can find it for around $500, not sure if it comes with the transducer or not. The 441--no 's', can't be used as a sounder, is about $75 less.I'll be following this thread.

 

[tmitchell5188]

Re: Need gps/fishfinder recommendations please!

You need a chart recorder that you can plug in map chips. I have an eagle that will do that, ok. I'm in SE Michigan, and fish Lake Erie and Lake Michigan in my big boat (Lowrance GPS/Humminbird sonar), and I use my Eagle on my 14' amuminum.

You have to watch what you buy. Some of the Humminbords have GPS, but it's useless. A handheld is as good, if not better. They do make a chartplotter that will take the chips.

 

[tmitchell5188]

Re: Need gps/fishfinder recommendations please!

I meant chartplotter not recored. The chart ploters with the chips will show you contour lines and bouyes, plus shipping channels. Look at it as an electronic version of a lake chart. It makes a big difference out there.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Need gps/fishfinder recommendations please!

I meant chartplotter not recored. The chart ploters with the chips will show you contour lines and bouyes, plus shipping channels. Look at it as an electronic version of a lake chart. It makes a big difference out there.

I See, great information. Do you have a specific model that you would recommend around 500 that will do all of that?

 

[tmitchell5188]

Re: Need gps/fishfinder recommendations please!

The Eagle that I have was around $550 w/o the map chip. If you watch the sales at Bass Pro or Cabela's, you could do better. Right now Cabela's has a deal if you spend $500, they give you a $150 gift card. Not a bad deal.