Best fishfinder/Gps

walkersteelhead · 01-28-2005, 08:22 PM

Starting to research fishfinders with gps. Just wondering what peoples opinions where of certain ones. Also for what reasons.

walkersteelhead · 01-29-2005, 05:23 PM

No opinions

Lure Dragger · 01-29-2005, 05:39 PM

I just bought one to hook up with my TR-1. I did a lot of looking around and talking to people about all the different ones. I ended up buying a Lowrance LMS 337c df. From what I was told it is the best one you can buy for the money.

01-29-2005, 05:46 PM

Garmin

Tacklebuster · 01-29-2005, 05:46 PM

For the money, the Lowrance lms-480 is hard to beat. I think I paid around 500 bucks for the unit and I love it.

seeker · 01-29-2005, 06:33 PM

Quote:

For the money, the Lowrance lms-480 is hard to beat. I think I paid around 500 bucks for the unit and I love it.

Saw the 480 on sale at the big place 82nd and Johnson Creek (not sure if a sponsor or not)a couple of weeks ago. Their price was $475.

I just got one of the new lms 332c's.....color is very nice!!!!!

Fish mojo · 01-29-2005, 07:10 PM

Where did you buy the 332? That's #1 on my list to check out this year.

Gun Rod Bow · 01-29-2005, 07:19 PM

Application and budget are the biggest factors. Lowrance is hard to beat.

I wanted GPS, plotter and big color screen. Also use it in the salt.

I love my 18C

troybuz · 01-29-2005, 07:24 PM

The word BEST opens the door here. Look at the Furuno and Raymarine networked units...they are big bucks compared to Lowrance and Garmin. Don't know for sure if they better (some tests have shown they are).
I hear the Garmin is easier to operate that the Lowrance...but boy, I like that Lowrance 19C.

EULACHON · 01-29-2005, 08:03 PM

I have a Garmin trackplotter and a Raymarine fishfinder. I know a lot of guys like one unit but I like stand alones in case one item pukes you are not left with no gear.

Just an opinion

Paul

Catching Nemo · 01-29-2005, 08:21 PM

When I did my research on the various fishing/boating forums and review sites - it came down to Furuno and Garmin. All the brands got high praise from their owners but what clinched it for me was the fact that those 2 had the fewest end user complaints and/or posts asking for help. People seemed to have the most problems with Lowrance and Hummingbird rather than Furuno, Raymarine, and Garmin.

I went with a Garmin 188 and have been very happy. The only regret I have is that I didn't go with a color display.

Birddawg · 01-30-2005, 12:23 AM

I just sent my Hummingbird back to the factory. It quit regonizing that it had GPS capibilities, go figure. Prior to this problem it worked great and I was real happy with it. Hummingbird had no problem taking it back under warranty but won't know results until I get it back.

seeker · 01-30-2005, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Where did you buy the 332? That's #1 on my list to check out this year.

I ended up getting it at Fisherman's in Delta Park. I could have saved about $25 over the net, but I decided to stay local. They have both the 332 and last years 330 set up right next to each other and the 480x480 screen on the 332 is a very noticeable improvement. Mainly because it is so clear and crisp.

Gundog · 01-30-2005, 07:10 AM

I am also doing this research I will add what I have found out so far I am taking my time because I ordered a boat and it won't be done until April. I went to talk with Rogers Marine they have a big selection and seem to have knowledgeable staff. My helm is not real big so I don't think I can fit 3 units in there. I am going to put in radar, GPS & FF. The salesman said he though I would be better to go with a combo GPS & FF then a stand alone radar. His reason was when I needed to do some touchy navigating I would want both radar and GPS at full screen. Now I must qualify something this advice is due to space and money I have to spend. If money was not an object a lot of other options would be available. I am trying to not spend more than $2500 on all and I want color screens on the GPS and FF. I should also add I am trying to keep at least a 5-6� screen on the units bigger if combo. The salesman recommended a Raymarine set for GPS & FF but they are separate units models ds600x FF & 435 GPS. (I am off a little on the models numbers are right but letters may be off). I posted a question about Raymarine quality on the Salty Dog board and got some not satisfied customers with Raymarine that scares me they had not commented on these particular models but complained about service. I have had a Lowrance unit and was not happy with it or the service I got when I had a problem. I have had a Garmin hand held GPS and it was great until the memory battery went bad and I lost all my way points. I should have had the points written down I don't blame the unit it was about 8 years old. I have heard good things about Furuno but I am not sure I can find the right units for the price I am looking to spend. I have just started looking at a new brand JRC They have a combo unit that has radar & GPS for $1500 on the net. The model on the JRC is 1800 I think. I would not mind going this way if the radar will overlay the GPS but if not I don�t want to split a 6� screen for radar and GPS. Then I could pick up a nice Furuno FF. Anyone have any comments on JRC (Japan Radio Company)? Any way these are my thoughts so far.
Mike

01-30-2005, 08:06 AM

FN,
Color is nice but not really needed. I have a Raytheon V700 amber sonar and it does everything a color machine can. You just have to learn to read the shades.

EULACHON · 01-30-2005, 08:07 AM

The only thing I try to keep in mind is that if you are in the muck and lose ALL your radio gear IE fishfinder and GPS you could be in a world of hurt. If you have at least ONE piece of redundent equipment (learned this flying) then if the only item you have for navigation dies you are kinda stuck.

I have gps stand alone and a handheld I carry in my tackle box. So if I lose the GPS I have an extra If I lose the fishfinder I lose depth but not GPS.

I would love radar also but one step at a time.

I would second ROGERS on Marine drive very nice guys.

Paul

sunshinefisherman · 01-30-2005, 08:16 PM

Lowrance 18-C

This one I just put in my own boat. I think it is a pretty good value. I also bought the Navionics west coast map whick I think is overpriced ($199) but is very useful and I'm pretty happy with it.
The Lowrance software is very intuitive and easy to learn. Last week I put in in the gorge in thick fog. I marked my multi-leg route on the map using the unit's cursor and then told it to navigate. It led me right to my spot. The external antenna really helps too. My handheld Garmin that I use for hunting is not nearly as sensitive.
Fisherman's Marine at Delta Park had these on sale for $999 a couple of weeks ago. I don't know how long the sale is on.