As a novice, I have realized that I could really use an instrument that would offer the info on:
1.depth
2.boat speed
3.position
I don't need any fancy features, except a GPS alarm, which would be a great cure for those nights spent checking the anchor instead of sleeping...
Is there anything close to a consensus on what model is the best value for money?
I have a Lowrance M68C combination gps sonar. I'm basically happy with it, however: It doesn't have a slot to download bluenav charts so someday I'll have to upgrade. For the price approx. $400, it was the best value at the time. It's compact, and I added a paddlewheel so I can get both gps speed and true water speed, thus calculating currents. It also gives a constant upgrade of voltage and temp. Pretty handy. i always have it, and have even adopted it for my car now. Don't know why the transducer says I'm in 4' of water when I'm on the interstate though?
The Garmin 440 has a rather small screen similar to my garmin hand held GPSMAP76cs. Since I am allowed a second unit for my bluecharts I will be shopping for something with a larger display to mount on the pedestal that includes the depth sounder/sonar. My current Eagle Fishfinder 240 is malfunctioning and no longer reliable so I plan to go the all in one route. I really want a bigger screen that can load my existing bluecharts but under $1000 if possible, any suggestions?
Have a look at the Hummingbird Matrix 12 (About $140-). Add a GPS receiver (under $100-) and you have GPS capability. It is not a chart plotter but it will give you all that you asked for, plus water temp, log, elapsed time, average speed, compass, waypoints, etc. I have just done the same exercise with the same goal and this set up is the cheapest GPS and Sonar setup i could find. Not bad for under $240-. I have purchased both- just need a boat now to put them in- should be here in a few weeks.
I have a Humminbird 383c. It has GPS, preloaded maps for the USA, sonar, depth/fish finder, bottom condition and water temperature. It has a selection of screens to choose from and keeps a lot of stats. It also has an anchor alarm which is comforting. I wanted a small but legible screen and am happy with this unit. Finding room for instruments is a challenge and the narrow profile is nice. Selling for $400 at West Marine today.
Terry wrote:The Garmin 440 has a rather small screen similar to my garmin hand held GPSMAP76cs. Since I am allowed a second unit for my bluecharts I will be shopping for something with a larger display to mount on the pedestal that includes the depth sounder/sonar. My current Eagle Fishfinder 240 is malfunctioning and no longer reliable so I plan to go the all in one route. I really want a bigger screen that can load my existing bluecharts but under $1000 if possible, any suggestions?
they have the 550s as well.. I got the 440s because it fit perfectly on the Ms pod. Screen is super sharp, and has all the charts pre-loaded. Outstanding unit. The 440s includes depth, temp, speed (with transducer) at a bargain price.
I swear by my Garmin GPSMap498 which not only has comprehensive plotter/sounder capabilities, but also shows tide/current data, it controls my Raymarine autopilot, displays Navtex weather info and offers AIS target overlays.
Although I also use a chartplotter on my laptop (which obviously has a much larger screen, vector maps and weather-routing functionality), it's the Garmin I rely on, as the Bluechart G2 chart cartridges are just fantastic.
The unit is discontinued now but still readily available -
What about EarthNC? http://earthnc.com/
It has all the maps for $49.95. I am not sure it is ready for navigation yet, but it is amazing. It interposes Nautical charts on top of Google Earth.
magnetic wrote:I swear by my Garmin GPSMap498 which not only has comprehensive plotter/sounder capabilities, but also shows tide/current data, it controls my Raymarine autopilot, displays Navtex weather info and offers AIS target overlays.
Although I also use a chartplotter on my laptop (which obviously has a much larger screen, vector maps and weather-routing functionality), it's the Garmin I rely on, as the Bluechart G2 chart cartridges are just fantastic.
The unit is discontinued now but still readily available -
Magnetic -
Now that sounds like a nice unit. I checked the site you provided, but could not find the date it was discontinued so I am not sure how outdated it is. The last software update was Aug/06 and last USB update was Mar/07, do you know which unit is the upgrade to it? My GPSMAP 76cs is also siscontinued and replaced with 76cx basically the same unit but with better memory features.
Perhaps with a bit of shopping I can find the 498 on clearance sale. I folded up a piece of paper 3" X 4" (5"diag) to see how big the screen would be and figure maybe it will do even though I'd like 7"diag. I like that it has AIS tracking feature and that it will also accept my current bluecharts and the 3d ones if I should get them.
On edit:
I went to Garmins' site - tried to find a comparable unit that might be the upgrade but to no avail. One thing I did notice was that all the new units have no internal memory for loading maps, they use SD cards. I think the older units like my 76cs and the 498 are preferable for me considering memeory requirements.
The Standard Horizon CPV350 was my choice. It is unique in that it has a GPS Chartplotter, DSC Marine VHF, and optional Sonar/Fishfinder all in one compact box that fits conveniently at your fingertips on top of the steering pedestal.
A bright 7 inch sunlight viewable screen with 800 X 480 resolution, and other features such as a Loud Hailer with Listen Back and 4 fog signals, bells whistles, horns and sirens built in.
This unit is available at online marine electronics dealers for a little over $900 dollars.
Did the gov't just switch out one of the satellites--#8 comes to mind--if so, wouldn't the previous GPS units have to be upgraded to fix on the current satellite system?
