Fishfinder/GPS question?????

Stinky_Hooker · #1 05-08-2006, 10:38 AM

I am looking into (Eventualy) replacing my FF and GPS on my 18. I currently have and older but adequate Eagle FF and a handheld GPS. I am debating on getting a dual unit or separate ones. I am also not sure on color or not. You definitely save money on the dual purpose units, but I am worried I wont like having them split on one small screen. Anyone have a dual unit and like it ok? Is the screen really big enough so it doesnt matter? I am looking at the Eagle Seacharter 480DF. I like Eagle as they are made by Lowrance and I also like the Lowrance NauticalPath software. it seems to be the best bang for your buck...and plug and play to boot.

I dont have color on either one of my units now so I really want color, but boy they are proud of it. ::)

One thought I did have....if you are looking at the GPS and FF trying to locate an offshore wreck or something it seems it MAY be easier on one unit.....rather than glancing back and forth like I do now. Maybe this is one advantage of a dual??

macojoe · #2 05-08-2006, 10:53 AM

The problem is if something is not working you lose both!

I have seprate Garmins, and they are side by side so looking at 2 different ones is not a issue.

As for color I don't have it, I think it is fine with out, but I would love to own a color that you can see in the sun!!

Sometimes when the sun is out full its tuff to see that screen!! I have had to cup my hands over it to see, and that sucks!

I love Garmin and I won't by anything else.

I was not happy with Humingbird, or the small eagle. I did buy a Egale looked just like the Lowarnce my buddy had, and he loves it!!
But I hated the Eagle, showed fish were there was none, and no fish when we were on top of a school of Mackeral???

So I say pick your brand, get two sperate units, and go color if you can.

Stinky_Hooker · #3 05-08-2006, 11:42 AM

Thanks MJ. 8)

reelapeelin · #4 05-08-2006, 01:11 PM

Stink, I'm lookin' at a Lowrance LMS 332C for 650 bucks and there's a 337C that's got more power for 700...pixel count on both are 480 x 480 which is pretty good and certainly good enough for my needs...you can split the screen if you want , but w/ the touch of a button it goes from sonar to nav and I can't really do but one at a time anyway... ;D...

Stinky_Hooker · #5 05-08-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

and I can't really do but one at a time anyway... ;D...

Exactly what i told my wife when we got married. :D

msbhammer · #6 05-09-2006, 02:00 AM

Stink,
So what happened with your V-20. Did it sell yet or maybe you decided to keep it and save it ??

TheTinMan · #7 05-09-2006, 09:20 AM

I've got a Garmin 165 monochrome combo... I don't use it in split screen, just page back and forth. IMO a 5" screen is too small for split screen. I like it, came with the boat. The refresh rate on the chart plotter is kind of slow. Fish finder gives a nice picture. Sure I'd like 2 seperate larger screens, but for the price you can't beat the combo units....unless it breaks!

Stinky_Hooker · #8 05-09-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msbhammer

Stink,
So what happened with your V-20. Did it sell yet or maybe you decided to keep it and save it ??

I still got it...trying to sell it. i dont have room for both.

#9 05-09-2006, 10:48 PM

i got the lowrance 337 last year and i love it. the split screen is fine by me. thats how i run when navigating, with the sonar side skinny. full screen sonar when trolling. i believe the color display makes a big difference when hunting fish. i can easily tell at a glance what type of bottom (mud, sand, grass,etc...) im over. as far as reading it in the sun, i have know problem. i am a grouchy old man and complain about most everything i buy. not my lowrance though. love it!

Stinky_Hooker · #10 05-09-2006, 11:19 PM

thanks racerx!!