GPS/Chartplotter Questions

[DuckHunterJon]

I was on a friends boat a few weeks ago, and he had a chart plotter that made me much more comfortable when piloting it. Has me thinking about getting one, but I have a few questions.

First - GPS vs Chartplotter. What is the difference? Does the GPS just show you where you are and a chartplotter show depth of water?

What would be a good entry level unit to buy? We are going to be getting a 20' fish and ski - it already has a Lowrance FF mounted at the helm. I would move that onto the front casting deck, and get something to replace it at the helm. I've never used a FF, so I don't know if I need a combo unit, unless the price was similar with and with out.

Lastly, do they come up used often? I have looked on CL and Ebay, and there doesn't seem to be many around.

Reccomendations?

Thanks.

 

[Lrider]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

Guess it depends on how much money you want to spend

I like the Garmin GPSMAP 76Cx for location and for depth I have a Hummingbird fish finder

I don't think a GPS system can tell you how deep the water is since it only reads the location of the unit. The chart plotter may have a depth finder too or it is relying on known charts. Personally I prefer to see what is under my boat since I fish around rocks and seaweed.

http://g.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/19805-3480/GPS-GPSMAP-76CX.html

There is another forum that chats a lot about such stuff below, you might check it out too

Electrics, Electronics and Trolling Motors

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

GPS is a general term for a device capable of displaying your position on some sort of a screen.

A "GPS" can range from a simple monochrome screen that shows your track and some positions you saved on it to a chart plotter which shows your position on a detailed map of some sort. Most nautical maps include spot sounding as well so yes, you get "some" indication of depth as well.

Here is shot of my Garmin 4208 chart plotter in use.

 

[Lrider]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

Sweet toy I would love to have it and all the attachments, however it costs more then my boat is worth

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

Thanks for the replies - confirms what I want, a chart plotter. I have GPS (on my phone) and the boat has depthfinder (dedicated and on fish finder) but what I really want to know is what is the depth of the water 20, 50, 100 feet in front of me. Any suggestions on entry level units (that Garmin 4208 will definitely break my budget). Any one have an opinion on a Garmin 172 or 172c (b&w or color)? These seem to be more in my price range. Or - should I hold off for a year and save up for one with all the bells and whistles? Thanks.

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

Don't worry about the bell and whistles. 95% of the users don't use 90% of the feature as it is.

Buy the biggest color screen you can afford. Your eyes will thank you for it.

 

[commander315]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

I had a Garmin 172 when i used to have a smaller boat. Theyre pretty nice. Maybe for your purposes u could go even a little smaller. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=148&pID=233# I had something like this on my bass boat back in the day (great products) oh btw.. amazon.com usually has some manufacturers refabed gps's, etc... Hope this helped

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

Just to clarify, it's a "Chartplotting GPS". It's a form of GPS reciever that has chartplotting capabilities.

I have a Garmin 172C and am satisfied with it. That model is not made anymore but there are similar ones.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

One thing to know when looking at chart ploters.
The depth reading are fine in oceans and waters that do not change depth other
than the tides but in lakes and rivers you will not see depth readings because the river and lakes change depth.
In the spring and early summer the lake may be be very deep but in late fall can be very shallow.
Better charts will have conture lines in a lot of lakes which is a line that shows the same depth all along the shore line.
In the spring that line around the shore may be 40 feet deep and in fall that conture line may be 40 feet high up on land.
Depth finder Fish finder will show the water depth under the boat but not ahead of the boat.
However if the lake your on shows conture lines and your over one and it 30 foot deep then you could follow it and stay in about 30 feet of water.
Best to learn your body of water, and check the charts. Then use the GPS Chartploter and Depth finder to confirm.

 

[5150abf]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

I have a Garmin 172c too and you can get maps for it that show depth, water rises and falls but it gives you a good idea of what your headed into.

It is color and has a fish finder too, I normally operate in the split screen mode which has half gps and half fish finder.

They are crazy accurate, when you swat on anchor it shows on the screen.

I got mine at work as discontinued but they make pretty much the same one now with a different number and they aren't cheap but if that is what you want that is what you have to get.

Ebay may have a couple used units for less than the $500-$600 of new ones.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

I have a lowrance 520c that I'm fairly happy with. If I were you I would always have a combination unit, or have both a sonar and a gps at the helm when driving. I've never boated anywhere that wouldn't get shallow enough from time to time to hit bottom. Having a sonar gives you a little more confidence when running at speed. It feels a little like overkill when you're buying it but once you get used to it and use it for a while you'll be glad you bought it. In retrospect I wish I had ponied up the extra at the time and gotten a unit with sidescan. I just didn't think I could swing it.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: GPS/Chartplotter Questions

Thanks to those that have commented. I have a pretty good idea of what I want, not time to find a deal! The only one I have seen locally on CL is a Garmin 172 black and white for $150. The price is right, but I see most of the reviews favor the color. Still, at a third of the price, I'm going to have to at least look at it. If that doesn't work out, I will probably go with out this summer and save up for an entry level new on next year. Probably

Thanks again.