New Boat--Best GPS, Chart plotter, Depth finder combo - The Hull Truth

gary abernathy · 07-16-2003, 08:10 PM

New 28 foot boat. Looking to put a combo unit on board for GPS, Chart, and Depth Finder. Don't have a lot of room, but would like to have a least a 7 to 9 inch screen. Looking for suggestions. Ease of use is a consideration.

jaxsfish · 07-16-2003, 08:29 PM

its not cheap but after a year of hard use i just love my raymarine L760 and RL70c. Works flawlessly, easy to use, seems accurate, color is excellent in all conditions including bright sunlight- navigate by night or in fog without problems, ff excellent- can pick out bottom structure, fish, etc, clearly- even gives good readings in 4-5'. Everything is interchangable between the two screens. The chart/radar overlay feature works well in navigating between what the chart says and what is really out there. Cant think of a single thing i dont like about it.- well, maybe the cost. - now that i reread ur post, u dont mention radar- so w/o radar it is a much more afordable system- although on a 28, if u fish offshore or in bad weather, or at night- it is highly recommended.
Jack

606zpx · 07-16-2003, 09:30 PM

Aunt Chovy----Great name

1994 Stingray 606zpx with 5.7L

Capt Ahab · 07-16-2003, 10:14 PM

Second the current version of the L760Plus hsb2 HiBrite. If I was buying now, would go with the L770 & DSM250 sounder module.

Scout 202 SF Yamaha F200

fmTuna · 07-17-2003, 05:32 AM

Take a look at the Garmin 188C. Good color, bluechart maps, compact unit, variable size split screen..

Stay Tuna-ed!

Ed

CB Haws · 07-17-2003, 07:33 AM

The RayMarine Digital FF with the DSM250 wins the FF contest. None of the other manufactures are offering digital right now. I got the RayMarine Value Pack last spring. It is the only FF I have seen that actually works better in automatic mode. You do need radar. I got by many years without it; but now that I have radar I would not be without ever again. My chartplotter is part of the RayMarine package. C-Map chips. They may be the best right. I have a Navionics machine as back-up. Both Bathy. The C-Map shows more detail. The Navionics has way better tide info and a couple of other nice features.

ndorado · 07-17-2003, 08:21 AM

just got the simrad cp33 this unit is awesome.
you can get the fishfinder combo with it, but if something happens to either of the tweo and u have to remove the unit, you have no gps nor fishfinder. just my opinion.

Spooled · 07-17-2003, 12:36 PM

Furuno 1850

SEA-YA · 07-17-2003, 09:53 PM

My Furuno 1650f works fine except in direct sunlight.The new ones have an upgrade to the screen so you can see it.I'm going to upgrade mine this fall.

Hunting & Fishing American Traditions

captrod · 07-17-2003, 11:30 PM

furuno fcv1100 fishfinder. top of the line fishfinder.

Gil Morgan · 07-18-2003, 09:20 AM

Suggest you take a look at the entire Garmin line. They certainly have the widest line of units and their customer service is the best.

coldair · 08-20-2003, 06:38 PM

btt

J D Bora Bora · 08-21-2003, 11:28 AM

I have a 28' boat and not much room, too. I got the Garmin 182C plotter, and the Garmin 320 sounder. They are excellent; interfaced; good data sharing; good price; great tech support. The screens are not as big as you want, but other than that, I have no complaints at all.

ngirolamo · 08-21-2003, 01:21 PM

It appears that the Garmin line is the easiet to use for the novice boater,, the experianced navigator can use most top line units,,,Look at the Garmin 182 with the sounder option or the 188 mono,, if color is in your budget try the 188c...external antenna is a good idea as well.

nick g

snookman3 · 08-22-2003, 10:05 PM

i like the lowrance x-104c myself. Have used it in sunlight and it displays real well. color machine, with chartplotting, df transducer. all for about 2200 bucks with the necassary hardware and additional cd rom pkg.

Fever Mike · 08-24-2003, 06:33 AM

If you want to keep it all in 1 screen unit check out the Garmin 2006c or 2010c with the black box plug in GDS20. It's the best in this price range going.

Murf · 08-24-2003, 02:24 PM

I also have the Lowrance LCX 104C......had the 15, 19 & 16 and the 104 blows everything away.

It's attached to B256 thru hull transducer, I can troll and read bottom in over 2000 ft.

The redraw on the plotter is almost instantaneous, great color and polarized glasses have no effect on the picture quality.

You should consider this unit!

gerg · 08-24-2003, 07:51 PM

Just a heads up to you raymarine guys. Their are some great deals right now on L1250 Plus displays. You can get one brand new for about $1200. This is the 10.5" daylight LCD. It's an awsome display. I've fot a mono CRT radar display and picked one up as a new sonar and will use it for chartplotter/radar overlay.

Anyway, you can get the R80 display (10 inch crt) for about $1200, and an L1250 RC (with chartplotter) for about $1800. These 2 are both HSB2/plus units. A pretty good combo but not compact, maybe you could do the same with the 7" displays only cheaper....

Youde have to add a dms250 to get the digital, but that can come later. I think they are clearing inventory since the 770/1260's are out (with integral digitaql sonar).

** yeahah **

Cracker · 08-24-2003, 08:18 PM

As suggested look at the Garmin 2006C or the 2010C. I have used the 2010C numerous times with the black box. It is an awesome color fish finder and plotter combo. I would encourage you to go Garmin, as includingmy stuff I know at least 6 other fishermen that use their equipment and al are very happywith it..Good Luck