GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

[Norboo]

Which brand do you use and which would you recommend?

Lowrance
Garmin
Raymarine

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

Hmmmmmm, my favorite is Humminbird but that's not on your list? In the past I have had Lowrance and Raymarine. both good units but i find Humminbird to be the best for ease of use.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

+1 for HB

TerryMSU

Hmmmmmm, my favorite is Humminbird but that's not on your list? In the past I have had Lowrance and Raymarine. both good units but i find Humminbird to be the best for ease of use.

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

Garmin and Bluecharts for GPS.
Furuno for sounder

I want one of these http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MhpyTnmdBI&feature=related

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

I run the Navionics Charts on my Lowrance and I also have Map Create 7.0 so I can burn my own maps. To tell you the truth, I went OCD on this earlier this year and found out that no matter what I did I couldn't get to the level of perfection that I wanted. It turned out that the Navionics got me closest and penciled up paper charts filled in enough of the voids for safe navigation and pretty reliable fishing prediction.

Edit - If you really get into it, you'll want to go here for your latest info: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

It turned out that the Navionics got me closest and penciled up paper charts filled in enough of the voids for safe navigation and pretty reliable fishing prediction.

How did you determine that Navoincs got you the closest? I can tell you they're missing a major (i.e commerical) navigational bouy in my neck of the woods.

 

[Norboo]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

Where can I go to play with GPS and Fishfinders? BestBuy? West Marine? any other places? I live in Northern VA.

Thank you

 

[NYBo]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

I went to Gander Mountain, then purchased at a certain online store that hosts a terrific boating forum...

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

How did you determine that Navoincs got you the closest? I can tell you they're missing a major (i.e commerical) navigational bouy in my neck of the woods.

If you pay the annual upgrade fee you get the most up to date charts. As with even the most expensive nav systems, you are not going to load it up once and forget it. Things change rapidly on the water and accuracy requirements are also dictated by the intended use.

I use the USCG Nav sights to get the latest info when I need it. If I'm going to a lake that I've never been to I send an email to Navionics and get the surface water elevation at the time the maps were produced. I then use my sonar and the maps contours to determine the current surface water elevation. That'll tell me where the shore line is and where any new obstacles are.

I have to admit, there was a time just a few months ago when i got completely anal and PO'd about the maps not being accurate and then a light bulb went on.

 

[ssobol]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

Which brand do you use and which would you recommend?

Lowrance
Garmin
Raymarine

I have used a Garmin (current) and a Lowrance (previous).

I think that the Garmin units are a bit easier to use, but don't have as many features as a similar Lowrance unit. I also think that between comparable units, the Lowrance units tend to have higher resolution screens than the Garmin ones.

Both units accept chart chips. With the Lowrance it is easier to get additional charts from the web or add you own maps.

Next one I get will probably be a Lowrance.

 

[dingbat]

Re: GPS/Fishing finder/Charts?

I use the USCG Nav sights to get the latest info when I need it. If I'm going to a lake that I've never been to I send an email to Navionics and get the surface water elevation at the time the maps were produced. I then use my sonar and the maps contours to determine the current surface water elevation. That'll tell me where the shore line is and where any new obstacles are.

I?m not sure about Navionics maps but on mine the water level at the time of survey is given on the map ?Info? page. The current elevation data is available via GPS. Key the offset into the system and wallah, you have a compensated map.

Sounds like you would have a tough time dealing with tidal water. The water level is constantly changing and obstacles come and go with the tides and storms. Even the best maps are for reference only, at best.