GPS selection help

D

deshet

Junior Member
I am looking at buying a GPS unit for the V20.

I want a color unit.

I think I want a built in antenna.

I have been looking a the garmin 172C

and the lowrance LMS-334C.

I want to spend under $500. I like the idea of having a Fishfinder and a GPS unit together.

I just want to know if you guys can recommend any other GPS units.

I also want to know if getting a combo Fishfinder/GPS is a good idea.

I plan on buying the extra chart the add more detail for my area.

I live in VA, and mainly fish the Chesapeake Bay area.

Ebay seems to be the Cheapest place that I have found for the GPS units.


thanks
 
I think you could find a good buy (that meets your wish list) on EBAY over the winter. Also, keep a constant eye on Boaters World and West Marine (maybe others too) - they may have some super deals on discontinued models - that wont last long. I cant recommend a model or brand though - as I just bought my very first GPS/FF myself (Lowrance) a few months ago. Good luck.
 
I hava Garmin 182 I bought at boaters World. It's not color but works A-OK. Does get me thru the dark'o'night real nice....not to mention to fav fishing spots.
 
I have the Lowrance 3500C , it is a GPS only, I have the separate flush mounted non color fish finder/sounder. I have used the units with both on the same screen and did not care for them with my eyes. Having the 5.5" screen for each side by side helps me. Plus there is redundancy in that it is unlikely both units crap out. In my area I fish having a depth finder and a paper chart along with a compass I can get myself about anywhere. If the finder craps I know the depths by my GPS charts.
Everyone is different though and some guys like having the split screen and or toggling back and forth. I would suggest you go and look at a few at a dealer like West Marine or a boat show. I bought Lowrance and Garmin but from what I have seen lately the graphics and display quality on the Nav Man equipment would make me look again that is for sure.
 
I have a Garmin 162 Chart plotter B&W I love the thing! I will use till it breaks, then I would like to get a color that I can see in the sun light
 
I have been looking at the Navman on ebay what models do you guys have?

Do they have their own form of blue chart?

I am also kinda of confused.

Some people say chartplotter/sounder and some say
dual Frequency Transducer.

I just want someone to explain the difference and tell me what I need.
 
Chart plotter sounder is the combined unit on one screen, you toggle back and forth or have them both displayed with half the screen each.
The dual frequency refers to the transducer having the ability to work at the optimum frequency for the area you fish, depth wise. The unit will allow you to set it in menu for whichever you are fishing in.
 
I run a Navman 5500x chartplotter that uses C-Map chips. I also have the optional fuel transducer. For the money, the unit can't be beat.

Airslot
 
I only have an old GARMIN GPSMAP76 hand-held, it's black and white but works great. Another thing to consider is product support. You hope you never need it, but I can vouch for GARMIN being A+++ in the support department. And everybody I've known with GARMIN has had great support and response from them. LOWRANCE also makes some very nice equipment as well. My dad who was a commercial guy for awhile swor by Si-tex though(FLORIDA company). There a little pricey, but make some of the best equipment out there for repeatable accuracy.

http://www.si-tex.com/
 
"Sounder" comes from the fact that fish-finders work off SONAR (SOund Navigation And Ranging) which bounces sound waves off of objects in it's scope ;) ...
 
I just bought the Lowrance LMS - 334 and I love it. I had the Lowrance H20C hand held before but wanted a larger screen and sounder in one package. This fit the bill. I also had the Lowrance Natic path chip for the hand held and it works in the LMS 334 also.

Go to this web site http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/Products/LMS-334CiGPS.asp
and download the Product Emulator for the LMS 334 and play with it. Enable sonar and gps simulator and its just like your on your boat with it. You can travel and steer with the simulator, make waypoints, back track and every thing you can if it were mounted and on the water.

This is a great idea Lowrance has about letting you try out a product before buying. Did I already say I love mine.

Got mine from Gander Mountian in Salisbury Md for $549 plus tax. Full warrenty and is returnable as long as its not been mounted yet and no shipping.

Hope this helps.

Turbo
 
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