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Hi there guys (and gals)... I need some help from some people that are more up-to-date than I. I'm old school... on my current boat I have a Furuno color machine, Garmin GPS/Plotter and an Icom VHF. I just bought a new boat and it has a great place to flush-mount a single unit. I've heard about the NAVNET system for years, but I know there are also others like Garmin, Raymarine, etc. out there as well. The thought of dropping $5K+ on a system with radar is a tough pill to swallow. Anyone with experience with the all-in-1 systems out there now, please feel free to throw in and tell me your thoughts, experience, etc. I want to get a GPS, Radar and quality color fish finder... just not sure if I should go all-in-one or separate units. Thank you!!!! -Jim
I'm not sure what the Lowrance on it is, picking it up on Friday. I guess it is a gps/plotter/depthfinder. I've never been a Lowrance guy, but heard they have come a long way.
You might want to consider Garmin. You can get the 4212 bundled with a GSD 22 digital depth sounder and a GDXL 30A XM receiver (weather) for under $3k. You can get a Garmin radar for starting less than a grand. This would keep your cost for the major components at around $4k or so.
That dash looks more than big enough for 2 - 12" screens - probably more than you need, but really nice to have. From a value perspective Garmin 4200's (4208, 4210 & especially the 4212) are tough to beat. I would go with the 4212 bundle and if you can afford it the 24" HD ($1,700 v. $900 for the 18") radar with the best transducer (B164 or SS270 wide beam are as good as it gets for $650 & $1,400 respectively) you can fit.
I agree with Team Ruby and LI32. The Garmin 4212 bundle gets my vote. However, my choice for the radar would be the 18" model. Bigger, (more power) is better as far as performance, but I think the 24" would be too big on that hardtop. Just my opinion.
If you are removing that Lowrance I may be interested! Send me a message here or at Richbryan33@yahoo.com once you figure out what you have. I am in NJ.
I still have the avets I bought from you long ago.
Spectacular information guys... I really appreciate it. The Lowrance is an LSM-337... a unit I know absolutely nothing about . If I pull it out, I'll certainly give you first shot Rich! Glad your liking those Avets, they are simply rock solid. They have made a few changes/improvements as time has gone on, but nothing drastic. I was the 1st east coast dealer for them and ever since I've had basically nothing but great experience with them. The few problems I encountered, Avet made right immediately.
I'm really fond of Garmin, I've had a lot of their GPS's over the years, always recommended them to others and those people have really liked them also. I had one of their depthfinders, can't remember the model, but a good little color machine. I had a lot of transducer problems with it and after talking to some others, they experienced similar problems. BUT... that's going back to when Garmin first came out with the color machines, I'm sure they have worked on their issues.
That's what I love about THT... you get straight, honest help. If you guys say Garmin is the way to go, I will go that way if I make a change. First thing'sFirst thing's first though, I'll give that Lowrance a fair shake over the next month or so and see if it's up to what I need. If it is, it's just a matter of adding a little radar and it will be set.
ou guys are awesome... thank you! -Jim
Whatever you buy, don't do it until you've ACTUALLY used it. If your a former Furuno user, I would stick with that. It is phenominal equipment! Nvanet 3 or even the 2. Very high quality.
Garmin is nice. Not my favorite.
Raymarine is nice too. I feel their systems are a good in-between Furuno and Garmin. Excellent reputation too.
C120 or E120
Sirius WX
2KW Radar Dome
DSM300
B164 Xducer
Raystar 125 GPS
Again, don't go anything untill you've used it first. Try them all!
I also have a 337c df in my new to me boat. I am a Garmin guy and know nothing else. I have monkeyed around with the 337 and its ok. because its NMEA 2000 compatible I have been eyeing a new 520 or maybe a LCX 27c unit to network with what I have. With a second Lowrance display they can share the same GPS antenna I already have and split usage of the transducer that is already on the boat. This will let me run a full screen plotter and FF at the same time, 2 plotters at once and change the displays to what I want on each. They both cant display sonar at the same time but I dont know why I would need that. I also have the option to add radar to the network when I want.
Need some help with a system 
