Fish finder - GPS

[CntrySngr]

Hey all,<br /><br />With my new (used) boat I am anxious to get on the water and do some fishing. I have been debating on which is more important to get, a GPS or Fish Finder. I read earlier that combo's aren't necessarily the way to go since the screen can/is split.<br /><br />So, what are the oppinions of my new iboat's friends? Should I do the fish finder first, or the GPS. Keep in mind, if I do the GPS I want one I can download maps to.<br /><br />Any tips on brands/models, etc. would be appreciated!<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Steven

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fish finder - GPS

Both are important. If you are a offshore boater or boat in large bodies of water I would get the GPS first. Always nice to be able to tell someone where you are if you get in trouble. However depth finder can keep you from running agound. I agree if you can afford and have the room for two units get seperates units. If you do not have the room then get a unit with a screen big enough that when your split the screen bot are still usefull. I like Lowrance fish finders and GPS units for water under 200 feet. Lowrance displays are brighter and have brighter colors than garmin. Lowrance GPS units come with better free base maps than Garmin. However Garmin also very good just expect to have to buy the maps and unlock codes. I belive Garmin is the most popular as well.<br /><br />This post may get a better responce in the electronic area.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Fish finder - GPS

Agree with boatist.<br /><br />I use a combo unit with a large colour screen. (The black and white screens are useless in bright sunlight, which is what we have here all the year round - sorry fella's).<br /><br />I keep my gps maps running - no split screen, as I like to see detail while I'm poking round the creeks. <br /><br />But I need water depth all the time, so I superimpose the depth figures at the top of the screen. I also superimpose speed, and a couple of other bits of info. These figures do not split the screen, and don't obscure my boat position (which shows up all the time on the moving map) at all.<br /><br />Hope that helps. Plenty of other guys here with their own views I'm sure.

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Fish finder - GPS

CntrySngr,<br />If you have a generously sized helm two units would be fine but I personally like the combo units provided the screen is 7" or larger. A 5" split screen is just too small for me in split screen SONAR/GPS mode. I got my first color unit last fall and truly love it! Like Stillfishing said the color has B&W beat hands down, especially in the sun. I too have heard a lot of good about Garmin but use Lowrance.<br />For the type fishing I do GPS is almost as important to me as SONAR. My unit has a 10" screen so I almost constantly run it in split mode. You can test drive the Lowrance units by downloading their emulators from:<br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCSoftware/demos.asp

 

[stevens]

Re: Fish finder - GPS

I second JD and Stillfishing on this. I have the Lowrance LMS 330C combo unit, and it works like a breeze. The 5" screen is sufficient, but I wouldn't mind a larger one.<br /><br />I usually also run the full-screen gps map with the depth data and speed as a numerical overlay. Then you have the option of switching to split-screen or full-screen fishfinder once you are looking for the fish or are especially interested in the bottom terrain.<br /><br />You really can't rely on the built-in maps, they are too coarse to be useful, at least in my part of the world. However, the Navionics maps (that come on memory cards that you insert in a slot) are impressively detailed and useful.<br /><br />The product emulator for your PC, mentioned by JD, is really useful for trying before you buy, and for training.<br /><br />Finally, a combo unit saves space on your dashboard so it looks a little less like a video game arcade.<br /><br />Should I buy one today, I would probably get the current similar Lowrance combo unit, or a Navman Trackfish combo unit with the 6,4" screen.

 

[JB]

Re: Fish finder - GPS

Electronics topic