Electronics - FF and GPS

[Blue_Runner]

It looks like I'm in the market for new electronics. I've ran the Garmin 172C GPS for a little over 15 years and really liked it. For FF I've been using a Garmin 250 DC. I chose to go with separate units in the event of failure of one or the other I'd still be able to use either or.

Recently both units are acting up and I'm thinking after that many years it is probably time to get something newer and hopefully better. I would like to keep with separate units for GPS and FF but not opposed to a combo unit. Cost is definitely a factor. I'd like to stay below $500 if possible. That alone pretty much limits me to a combo unit. Not opposed to moving away from Garmin either.

So I'd like to hear what people consider the latest and greatest in Garmin units and other brands. I admit i've not followed the technology for many years but still managed to pile up fish on my deck regardless, so there's that. .

Lets hear it, what do you recommend?

[Blue_Runner]

Looking hard at Lowrance Hook2-7x 7" Gps Splitshot Fishfinder W/Track Plotter Transom Mount Splitshot Transducer. $324 shipped. Looks like a nice unit - anybody got one?

[Blue_Runner]

Found out why Hook2-7x is so cheap - the "x" in the model mean no contour mapping. So obviously that is OUT. I feel sorry for anybody that bought one and realized later there's no countour mapping - ouch!

[Pipe_Dream]

My needs (and experience with these) are pretty basic. A few years ago I got a Garmin 54DV and I really like it.

[phatdaddy]

I picked up a garmin 94 sv in December at west marine for $600. It does a lot more that i know how to do. Got a couple of buddies with simrad go 7 s and they really like them.

[spareparts]

Simrad and Lowrance are the same company now, looks like Simrad is the higher end stuff. Hard to go wrong with garmin

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by spareparts

Simrad and Lowrance are the same company now, looks like Simrad is the higher end stuff. Hard to go wrong with garmin

Totally agree. Never had a bad unit from Garmin, either car or boat. NOT cheap though

[Blue_Runner]

what has me so perplexed is the maps. With my old unit I bough the bluechart card for Norfolk virginia down to charleston sc. Things have changed in the last 20 years. I am seeing units that don't have or accept mapping at all. And I'm seeing where the bluechart G3 card can cost almost 300 bucks! Ouch! I don't want to spend 500-600 only to have to spend another 3 hundo just to make it useable.

Phat - did you $600 purchase include maps or was that an add on? I need to get this thing ordered and installed before Memorial day weekend!

Also - talk to me about touch screen? Greasy, salty fingers doesn't seem like that would bode well. I'm always fussing at anybody who sticks their paws close to my screen LOL

[phatdaddy]

The unit came with topo maps already loaded, like the NOAA charts. They also had most on the public numbers already loaded also. Garmin offers upgrades for the maps, but I think that is the LIDAR iinfo similar to C-MOR maps. As of now, Garmin does not accept any other maps, the simrad/lowrance can.

I thought i paid 599, but checking back it was 699. It was a Black Friday sale. I replaced a Furuno Bottom machine/gps combo.

I was very skeptical of the touchscreen, but so far, no complaints. I like the convenience of tapping on a waypoint and editing or deleting it instantly without having to go through a couple of screens



here's a shot of the maps that are standard



mounted on the dash



shot of sunken sailboat with the side scan

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks man that really helps a lot!