Fish Finders/ GPS

[MWBROWN]

I am new to boating and would like some tips on which fish finder/ gps units are good for the money. They are a bit expensive, so I want to make the correct choice. Is a combo unit a good idea, or should I buy seperate units.I have a 1984 Balyliner fish and ski, 85 hp, and I fish in the Mobile Bay,Wolf Bay area. <br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />My boat is 16 ft, so I cannot go out deep. Mobile and Wolfs Bay are salt water. I can go up some of the fresh water rivers. If I get over 200ft of water, it would be rare. I have my (eye) on the Garmin 240 for a fish finder. Don't know about the GPS.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

Welcome to the board.<br /><br />Probably get better responce if post in electronics. Good value for the money I would look at Eagle brand made at the same location as Lowrance. You might want to take a good look at Furuno, Garmin, Lowrance, and Eagle. If you take care of your unit will last a very long time. As an example my 1985 unit as good as new and has many features I like better than todays units.<br /><br />Fishing Saltwater you will want more power. Deep saltwater over about 300 feet will also want a 50Khz transducer. Power can be rated in Peak to Peak or RMS. 800 Watts RMS = 100 watts peak to peak. Divide Peak to Peak by 8 to get RMS watts.<br /><br />When buying a unit you will see statments like depth to 800 feet. This might be true in a crystal clear fresh water lake to see a rock bottom. However if you want to see fish built like a stelth fighter in salt water or a muddy river again divide by something like 8 and do not expect to see fish over 100 feet.<br /><br />Deep Saltwater (450 feet)then you need power 1000 Watts RMS or 8000 peak to peak. Also should have a 200/50 KHZ Dual frequency transducer. Also Deep water then you need a high resolution at least 480 vertical Pixels and some type of zoom or bottom expantion.<br /><br /><br />Anyway leave some info how deep you will fish and weather it salt water or Fresh water and you will get some info.

 

[JB]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

Moving to Electronics.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

The first thing to do is to see if the map companies have any coverage in the area where you plan to use your boat. Coverage for fresh water in my area is practically nonexistent therefore it's not worth the extra $ for a gps combo. Tell us how you plan to use it and what you want from it.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

I just purchased the Garmin 198C from W+M on clearance. So far im totaly satisfied. It came with charts of the US. It will cover the area you are talking about, and a whole lot more.<br /><br /> Look here.

 

[MWBROWN]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

This one is way out of my price range. Thank for the info from everyone so far.<br />The map companies do have my area.<br />My budget is around $400.00. Give or take a few bucks.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

It would be best to buy independent units.A very nice setup is the garmin 182 for about $450 and a simple fishfinder/depthsounder for roughly $100.<br />You can activate them both and go to some promising structure.Every time you get a hit,you mark the spot on your GPS and soon enough you will see a pattern develop on your GPS screen.Now you are in business.Because the 182 traces your route onscreen you will also see the ideal approach route develop.<br />enjoy.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

I just bought a Navman trackfish 6500, for under 400$.( e-bay).Colour screen dual freq sonar, and a decent built in world map(also takes c-map). A word of advice,buy the best you can afford you may not be happy with a budget model and find yourself looking to upgrade in a hurry. both Eagle and Garmin offer decent monochrome models, if you hunt around you should be able to find one well under 400$.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[MWBROWN]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

Thanks to every one for the feed back. A very active forum.<br /><br />I am looking at the Eagle 280df combo unit. I have found it for 399.00. It is more that I need, but one never knows where their boat will go.<br /><br />Is there any reason to keep the 20 year old flasher that came on the boat?<br /><br />I agree that if I go cheap, I will spend double money later. (my wife even said that). Gotta wonder what she wants. LOL<br /><br />I have also read the suggestions on trnasducer mounting that will really help.

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

I have a lowerance i finder, and a cheap eagle depth/fish finder. I mounted them via velcro to the bow under trolling motor,(in waterprof bag that was included) and it's great for me. I can also remove the ifinder for hiking when i go somewhere, and it came with a decent basemap that covers the whole state of maine. In fact.. I was boating up north and when i found a small tributary between ponds.. It actually showed my path..i couldn't believe it. I love my lowerance. total cost was 149 for the i finder, and 99 for the eagle.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

In a brief look, I found Eagle SeaFinder 480DF for $225.09 to your door. gpsdiscount.com

 

[MWBROWN]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

Thanks for all the suggestions. Seems they are all pretty good, and one can spend what they can afford.<br />I think I will go with the Eagle Seacharter 280df for now, as it advertises good for salt water. It seems the most bang for the buck. I will let y'all know how it works out.

 

[JB]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

I strongly recommend seperate units.<br /><br />A GPS, once you learn how to use it, is very handy for many non-boating situations, particularly the portables. I have used three different Garmin units in both truck and boat as well as hiking.<br /><br />An entry level Garmin hand-held GPS with a console mount and 12V power cord and a basic Eagle sonar unit can be had for under $400 and get you started using both.<br /><br />After you are experienced with both you can upgrade either or both when and as you need and want to.<br /><br />(236)

 

[MWBROWN]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

JB and the rest.<br />I am going to go with the Garmin GPS72 and the Eagle Seafinder 480DF. I can the the pair for the money I have to spend right now. <br />I agree of the suggestions by two people to get seperate units.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Mike

 

[Rock Hall]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

I was lloking for a combo unit and found the Garmin GPSMAP 182 for $299 at Boaters World. Has maps built in but you can also load maps to it. I think I got a great deal. I'm going to get a seperate fish finder in the $150 range. Dont know if they have any left, but it's in all their ads. It's a discontinued model. Mine has a seperate antenna.<br /><br />Mark

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Fish Finders/ GPS

It's a discontinued model.[/]<br /><br />New manufacture has been discontinued, but Garmin will continue field support. $299 is a great deal for the 182; almost worth buying another for the closet...