Electronics for inshore use only

[nswtex]

Hi there, been reading a lot of good stuff here on iboats and would like to petition the brain trust.

I have a 1982 Glastron 16ft bowrider for use as a little pleasure runabout on the local lakes. I would also like to wet a line from time to time so fishing will be its dual purpose.

The boat currently has an older Hummingbird fish and depth finder on it that I would like to upgrade. I like electronic toys and would like to know if there are any suggestions towards a nice fish/depth finder that would be fun to play with. Also what other devices would be fun to have on the boat that would not be wasted on inshore use.

Spring is rocketing towards us here in North Texas!

 

[Backlash]

Re: Electronics for inshore use only

Since you'll be doing a little fishing, I'd suggest a GPS...great for marking those "secret" holes you find fish in. They make combo fish finder/gps chart plotters in various price ranges.
Backlash

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Electronics for inshore use only

For the not so serious fisherperson on not so large bodies of water I would rather see you spend money on a locator that lists in the $150 range (such as the Eagle Fishmark series). Then if you feel you really need a GPS, buy one that you can use in your car, hiking, biking, geocaching, as well as fishing etc. If you buy one of the spendy gps/locator combos, I guarantee you will spend more time mucking with the gps than fishing -- but if that's what you wish to play with go ahead. However, if either the gps or the locator takes a dump you likely have two devices that don't work and need to be replaced. You will have also determined in that you didn't use the gps much so the new locator would be just that. So you see -- I saved you a bunch of money.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Electronics for inshore use only

I would spend the 4 to 5 hundred and get a hummingbird with gps and the availability of having a chip from navonics. They are the best by far. I know I will be getting flack from the lowrance people here, but lowrance has had major software issues the last 3 years or so. The lake link forum for fishing really trashes them for it. But they still have their supporters. I have had no problem with my hummingbird and it is great for marking hot spots so I can return to kill them again at any day. Try S.C. Johnson wax's company stor for a refurbished one, or a last year model. It is located downtown Racine WI. I bought a side imaging one that was $1200.00 last January for $599.00. It was new but last years model. Substantial savings.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Electronics for inshore use only

You can get an eagle cuda 350 gps fishfinder for under $200 if you shop around. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles like upgradable maps, but it does do basic gps functionality and gives you some nice things that non gps models usually don't have standard (speed and water temp)

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Electronics for inshore use only

....I know I will be getting flack from the lowrance people here, but lowrance has had major software issues the last 3 years or so......

I have been reading this but neither my Fishmark 480 nor anyone I know who have an Eagle/Lowrance unit have experienced this.

Heresay, oft repeated, is mistaken for truth when a group of the underinformed wish not to be exposed as such.

Ask a Humminbird aficionado about the HB 500 series. Heh. Software issues!

Software issues are universal since MS made it industry standard to introduce and sell flawed product and then repair it along the way.