advice on gps/ fishfinder- which to get?

[sailors hornpipe]

i want a gps fish finder for my first boat 1992 180 nitro 150 hp fs/ just need a fish finder that will work in local fresh water lakes for leisure fishing and a built in gps so as a newbie i dont get lost and can find my way to points on the lake like restaurants and gas and restrooms and of course my way back to launch point - ive been out once with an experienced friend and quickly found that i could become a little disoriented even when looking at landmarks- i have gps for my car but do not know if the marine gps works and looks the same ie: if they tell you exactly where to go to get to a certain restaurant or gas station - i also dont want to break my wallet! it seems that the gps/fishfinder units start at around $220.00 and that is for gray scale - which begins another question - every one (mostly salesmen) keep telling me that grayscale screens are outdated and hard to read in sunlight - but they are affordable for my budget- so who uses a grayscale and how do you like them? thanks for the input guys!

 

[Lrider]

Re: advice on gps/ fishfinder- which to get?

Get one of each

of course this is my opinion

I don't like combo anything if one dies you throw the other away

I think on the gps/ff combo if one dies you won't be able to use the other

Garmin has great marine gps that float (I dorp things)

I love hummingbird ff

you can get both withing your price range

 

[KStoon]

Re: advice on gps/ fishfinder- which to get?

That's a good question! I'll be watching for the replies. The lakes I cruise are not so big I get lost but boy on a bigger body of water it would be nice to know where you're going or where you came from! I've notice large price differences also. I can't see or swing a $1,000 addition if there are better choices. I was considering a handheld for multi use but a fish finder would be nice though. Good luck!

 

[saumon]

Re: advice on gps/ fishfinder- which to get?

Get one of each

Ditto.

I hate having a split screen. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 172C with Bluecharts for GPS and, beside, an entry level black and white Eagle FishEasyII as a fishfinder.

 

[Lrider]

Re: advice on gps/ fishfinder- which to get?

Ditto.

I hate having a split screen. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 172C with Bluecharts for GPS and, beside, an entry level black and white Eagle FishEasyII as a fishfinder.

That is a Nice Combo

 

[abarron]

Re: advice on gps/ fishfinder- which to get?

I just bought a Hummingbird 385CI GPS/CHARTPLOTTER with temp and color with 20 and 60 degree sonar,Birds Eye View That looks down on your boat,and surroundings.It Doe's have split screen,but you don't have to use it.It around 400.00 and you can purchase more maps, I got the Easteren Lake maps because i live in Kentucky. Over all i am pleased with it for the price.Most GPS/CHARTPLOTTERS are well into 800.00 to 2500.00

 

[5150abf]

Re: advice on gps/ fishfinder- which to get?

I got a Garmin 172c finder/gps and love it, it has way to many features to list but split screen is cool and you can pick 3 info items to display at the top of the screen, I have speed, time and voltage on the split screen,btu you can choose any of probably 20 things, it is really cool.

They are a little pricey, the 172 was discontinued but the replacement,a 400 or 420 I think is the same thing with a different number, maybe find one on ebay if you don't want to pony up the $400-$500.

I got mine through work as discontinued for $50, one of the advantages of working for a boat company.

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: advice on gps/ fishfinder- which to get?

i have a lot of experience with gps/fishfinders and i like garmin. they seem to be the most bang for the buck and have very few problems. garmin's machines are easy to use and the easiest to see in daylight.

i have a 440s on my boat and love it. the color screen is so clear and the gps maps are very detailed. its around $500, but in my opinion its worth it. being that i am offshore fishing a lot, i need a good gps.