choosing the right electronics

[apollothesun]

the days are counting down again to be out in the sunny sky with the glimmer of the water shining on the sunglasses.
i picked up this hobby late last year and now roving and shopping for what i need is some electronics to help me on my way to great times on the water.

what i have right now is a lowrance fish finder with depth tranducer which is an older version. it works but i feel i need more help in getting the fish to hook.

my delimma is going to invest in a better fish finder or a marine gps. the marine gps would help me get to the spots with better accuracy and tracking.
i have a family cruizer 98 bayliner capri so im not gonna be going out far to the ocean but very tempted to do so once i get more comfortable with the boat.

i also thought about radar and more advanced but im on a serious budget right now.

ive been looking at the handheld garmins like the 62st. you can load maps and lakes.
any suggestions or insights that youve encountered that can help me in the direction i need to take.
thanks for your time and input.

 

[dan t.]

Re: choosing the right electronics

Do both, get a combo chart plotter/gps and fish finder.

 

[5150abf]

Re: choosing the right electronics

I have a Garmin 178c that I just love, color gps and fish finder, ti si just great.

You can split the screen so half is gps and half is finder and there are a ton of options for what info you have displayed.

On the split screen mode I have voltage-time-speed but you can choose any of 8-10 different things.

You could probably get one on Ebay, it is a previous generation of the currant on, for a decent price, new is @$450.

If you get a handheld and a new finder you will be right up against that anyhow.

It will not catch you fish though for that you need to read, I really suggest you start getting In Fisherman magazine, it si a really good source for fishing tactics and knowledge.

 

[apollothesun]

Re: choosing the right electronics

hey guys, thanks for chiming in.

hello, dan t. well, i already got a fish finder, kinda spreading my wealth for new gadgets. ive been pricing those around and can be in the $600 and up range with gps, chartplotting and fishfinder. whats all the hoopla about chartplotting? if you have gps why would you need a chartplotter? which model did you go with and the reason you purchased it?

5150abf good morning, i was looking at that particular model on that garmin and have been shopping on ebay for something used. i like that feature too about the split screen feature on that garmin model. thanks for your insight, i like the prices on those type of models better. im leaning towards dont need the expensive to get what you want but am a true believer of you get what you paid for. thanks for the heads up on the magazine. i will look it up when i get to outdoor emporium tonight. ive already attained books about fishing for references.

more info on the area where i be fishing. i live in seattle and have an opportunity to fish lakes and saltwater. my generalization would be saltwater for fishing and family time on the lakes.
the reason i've been going towards handhelds is because of its size and relatively bringing on camping trips. i can also use it in my vehicle but im sure the models thats geared towards a boating would be ideal. lets hear what you have...

 

[apollothesun]

Re: choosing the right electronics

opps double post