What graph/gps would be right for me?

[UNRULEE]

I'm looking to uprade to a better fishfinder for my boat this spring. I currently have a Humminbird Wide 128, and it's extremely basic. I was looking for a full color, gps combo in the $500-700 range. Not sure on what brand to consider but it looks like the Humminbirds are the most user friendly.

Any advise on what to look for or avoid in this price range.


Also, at this point I'm pondering moving the Wide 128 to the front of the boat for fishing purposes once I install the new graph in its place. What do I have to watch to make sure that the two don't interfere with each other?

 

[John_S]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

There are allot of choices in that price range. What type of fishing and what size and depth water do you fish on?

 

[jhebert]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

What ...gps would be right for me?

I would use the US Air Force NAVSTAR GPS. It is the only global positioning system in operation at the moment, and just about any GPS receiver can work with it. There are some other global positioning systems on the drawing board or partially deployed, but the NAVSTAR GPS is most applicable for use in North America.

 

[John_S]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

Also, at this point I'm pondering moving the Wide 128 to the front of the boat for fishing purposes once I install the new graph in its place. What do I have to watch to make sure that the two don't interfere with each other?

There will not be a guarrentees on interferance. I am not sure what frequency the W128 uses, but believe it is 200KHz which is basicly the industry standard for FW. Once the water depth is deep enough that you have cone overlap, you may see noise on either of your two screens. The new unit you purchase may have circuitry that helps reduce or ignore this.

The W128 may even pick-up noise by moving it to the trolling motor. Older units were not shielded well in the transducer and/or cable. Also, digital control trolling motors (if that is what you have)tend to emit more noise.

 

[UNRULEE]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

Thanks for the responses thus far.....................................


I typically fish for walleye in no more than 50ft of water, and on the bow is a Minnkota Powerdrive V2.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

I am looking at getting a new fishfinder myself, and I am considering the Humminbird 597Ci HD DI. I found a lot of good info on www.bbcboards.net. If you end up going for the 597Ci HD DI, I should tell you that they seem to be hard to find due to the fact that they are so popular (at least in the DI version). I am not sure if iboats has them in stock or not. You can find them in stock, but you will probably end up paying list price ($650 US). As a loyal iboats person, I would encourage you to see what they can do to match whatever price you find.

TerryMSU

 

[John_S]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

Thanks for the responses thus far.....................................
I typically fish for walleye in no more than 50ft of water, and on the bow is a Minnkota Powerdrive V2.

As far as your W128 and the power drive, you are just going to have to test it. If you haven't had interferance at the console, that is a good start, but the transducer has to be very close to the motor, along with the cable routed to know for sure.

If you fish medium to big water, make sure you have the ability to add or change maps. For HB models, make sure it has a SD slot, and it will be able to use Navionics fishing and nav maps, or Lakemaster maps. An SD slot on a HB also means you can save snapshots, recodings, and easier to upgrade firmware.

Most units have more than enough GPS capabilities for general fishing. If you troll allot there are other features that can be of use, such as trolling grids, etc.

I don't walleye fish as much as I used to. The walleyes in the waters I do fish, hold very tight to the bottom. A large cone angle can miss them on irregular bottoms. A narrow cone needs to be right over top of them. Suspended fish are easier to detect and a wide beam can be more important.

DI will give you more detail on structure and bottom contour than plain 2D. It is not easier to find fish, though. On HB units you have a split screen option to see both.

Terry provided a good choice within your price range. If you are sure DI is of little or no value, you can get the non-DI model for $80 less. Also, last years 788 series still pops up on major retailers for around $500.

 

[UNRULEE]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

Great info.

I'm not sure if I'm sold on the DI yet.

Here's another qustion how hard would it be to make the new graph movable from the driver location to the front of the boat? is it even possible?

 

[John_S]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

Great info.

I'm not sure if I'm sold on the DI yet.

Here's another qustion how hard would it be to make the new graph movable from the driver location to the front of the boat? is it even possible?

If you don't get a DI unit, there is a trolling motor kit from HB that includes transducer, station, and power cord. The DI need a specific DI transducer.

If you wanted to use your current parts, it would require a station connector block ($7), transducer adapter cable ($25). The W128 would not work in the station though. Also, the new unit would not have temp when at the bow.

I can't think of a way so you could use the W128 at the bow or the new unit. The problem is the W128 uses a 2 pin connector and all the newer units use the "house" shaped connector that can have upto 7 pins. The newer units have a comm connector in place of the 2 pin transducer cable.

I have done that in the past. It works, but the release lever on the HB takes a bit of force to pull the head unit off. I was always thinking I would bobble the new unit across the deck or overboard.

 

[NYBo]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

I would use the US Air Force NAVSTAR GPS. It is the only global positioning system in operation at the moment, and just about any GPS receiver can work with it. There are some other global positioning systems on the drawing board or partially deployed, but the NAVSTAR GPS is most applicable for use in North America.

Wiseguy!

 

[UNRULEE]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

The W128 would not work in the station though. Also, the new unit would not have temp when at the bow.

That's fine, if I could get the new one to work in both locations I wouldn't use the 128 anymore......for anything.

I can't think of a way so you could use the W128 at the bow or the new unit. The problem is the W128 uses a 2 pin connector and all the newer units use the "house" shaped connector that can have upto 7 pins. The newer units have a comm connector in place of the 2 pin transducer cable.

As stated, that's fine. My goal would be able to transfer the new unit from the front and drivers area. If that works there's no need to even keep that old junk (128).

Wiseguy!

That's what I was thinking, not in those exact words, but still..................

 

[John_S]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

If you went with a HB 597ci HD combo ($569 list), you would want the DBK2 kit ($94 list), which includes trolling motor transducer, tilt/swivel station, and power cable. I have seen the 597 on sale at BPS for about $100 less, and online for close to $500. I've seen the DBK2 online for $60ish. You would also be able to ebay your W128. Good luck, and let us know what your final decision is.

 

[UNRULEE]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

If you don't get a DI unit, there is a trolling motor kit from HB that includes transducer, station, and power cord. The DI need a specific DI transducer.

Sooo, just the DI wouldn't work or the entire graph?

That should make up my mind as to wether I get a Di unit or the one without.

 

[John_S]

Re: What graph/gps would be right for me?

Sooo, just the DI wouldn't work or the entire graph?

That should make up my mind as to wether I get a Di unit or the one without.

I suspect the DI wouldn't work, put the 200kHz would. Call HB tech support before buying to make sure. If you want DI on the trolling motor you will have to buy the individual parts. I see only one DI transducer listed, but a bit pricey at $150.