Sonar/GPS all-in-one or two seperate Units?

[TrenchFisherman]

I was looking at the GPS/Sonar units and they are very nice but i was wondering in your guys opinions if its better to get them as seperate units? The only problem i see with an all in one is that if it breaks you are out both GPS and sonar. Thanks!

 

[JB]

Re: Sonar/GPS all-in-one or two seperate Units?

I think seperate units. <br /><br />1. If a combo unit croaks you have neither.<br /><br />2. Once you use a GPS in your vehicle, even without vehicle nav aids, you will want to use it there. Even my first GPS (hand held Garmin GPS38) was a big comfort when traveling. I now use a Garmin GPS276C in both my boat and vehicle, and for hiking.<br /><br />3. The best GPS is not always a good sonar and vice versa. Pick each according to your wants and expected use for that device.

 

[erikrs301]

Re: Sonar/GPS all-in-one or two seperate Units?

Kicking around the same question myself. I need a sonar unit for the new boat and I already have a handheld Garmin. After seeing a nice Lowerance combo in use on the charter, I like that route.<br /><br />Looking at a Lowerance LMS 334c and I'll probably carry the handheld Garmin as a backup...I'm still having a hard time justifying the extra money for a combo when I already have a GPS.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Sonar/GPS all-in-one or two seperate Units?

I just upgraded from a matrix 17 ff,and a garmin gpsmap 76 to an all in one navman trackfish 6500, color.The reason I did so where space on helm for my equiptment, had a very hard time reading the gps because of the small screen, and monochrome , it was nearly impossible in the dark underway. I had no problems with the fishfinder. Early results with the navman are excellent! If I had more room I might have gone with seperate units.I did some research, and sold my garmin handheld on e-bay for 170$, bought the navman for 450$ (e-bay). What ever you decide to do spend the extra to get a color screen, and if your going to instal maps do some research into the cost and quality of the maps you need to buy.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[bandsaw48]

Re: Sonar/GPS all-in-one or two seperate Units?

I'm of like mind with erikrs301, I bought a new Lowrance 337c-df and use my old Garmin handheld as a backup. I think there is consirderable savings with the single unit, maybe with the difference you buy the extended warranty?<br /><br />Greg

 

[Boatist]

Re: Sonar/GPS all-in-one or two seperate Units?

If you have the room and the budget then I like seperate units. Even if you buy a smaller size screen it will be bigger than and next larger size combo in split screen. Also if underway and you wish make a change on either the GPS or Sonar it is eaiser to do. You do not have to select sonar controls the then make your change, or select GPS and then make your change.<br /><br />As a example you want to go to a 4 time zoom on the depth finder or Zoom in on the GPS to see all the channel buoys. Most units would use the Zoom In or Plus key to do both but first have to go to the right mode then make the change. To do all this you need to take you eyes off the seas or the boat traffic for quite a while. Changing GPS routes or transducer frequency, sensitivy you will find takes a lot longer on a combow unit.<br /><br />Of course a combow unit is cheaper and take less space than A GPS unit and Sonar unit.