Offshore Gps/fish Finder Advice

[LX Kid]

I bought an older '82 GW last week and am restoreing it. (See Boat Restoration Forum) I'm about 7-10 days of launching and am wondering about GPS/Fish Finder combos. I have no experience with them and am wanting to buy something used. (Money running out!) Anyone have any suggestions for a unit that will not cost an "arm and leg" and will give me good service? I have always gone by the premice "You pay less, you get less!!!) Maybe I should just follow the gulls and forget about it!! LoL Thanks, Ron

 

[JB]

Re: Offshore Gps/fish Finder Advice

For offshore I think Furuno gets the nod, but I would not buy a combo unit. I always use seperate units for the security.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: Offshore Gps/fish Finder Advice

I also was wondering about combo versus individual electronics. Are they prone to failure or are most brands highly reliable. Trying to cut down on the space they use. Thanks, Ron

 

[JB]

Re: Offshore Gps/fish Finder Advice

For a person not a trained navigator going offshore a working GPS may be the difference between life and death. I don't want a unit that might be killed by the death of a sonar.

Also, though I am a trained navigator and can get home with a compass and a chart, these days I would carry a backup GPS in my pocket.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: Offshore Gps/fish Finder Advice

Sounds like some "really good advice" for a novice boater like myself. Thanks, Ron

 

[dingbat]

Re: Offshore Gps/fish Finder Advice

What's your budget?

A multi-function display would combine the best of both worlds into one unit. There are some great deals on the Garmin 3210 bundles floating around right now.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: Offshore Gps/fish Finder Advice

Budget? My budget went out the window as soon as I bought my boat restoration project!!! That being said I think my credit card will take another $400 - $600, as long as I get to the mail box before my wife does!!! LoL Ron