Combo Chartplotter/FF??

[BoatGuy]

Totally understood
My current unit is a 20 year old Lowrance LCX 18c combo unit
In a perfect world, I am trying to keep that in place and add the Garmin unit so I can have 2 machines working at the same time

If space is an issue, remove the Lowrance and just get a bigger machine. I have the Garmin 74 SV and wish I had gotten a bigger machine.

 

[BoatGuy]

BTW: If you do get the 74SV unit, Captain Doug Toback of CORAZON FISHING CHARTERS recommended a bottom chip that I have to agree was a good purchase. Get the latest version of the GARMIN 010-C0705-00 / Garmin VUS004R - New York - SD Card. I’m not sure if this is the latest version. Again, it would work even better on a bigger screen. Hopefully he will be at Ward Melville and you can ask him personally about it.

 

[Pangaroo]

I wish the fish finders today had knobs you can turn to increase/ decrease power and the depth. Like the Sitex paper recorders in the 1980's. I have the Humminbird 7 inch G3 Mega Image. It was made in Alabama.

 

[captmike28]

I wish the fish finders today had knobs you can turn to increase/ decrease power and the depth. Like the Sitex paper recorders in the 1980's. I have the Humminbird 7 inch G3 Mega Image. It was made in Alabama.

Although the trend in FF for many years was to go all "touch screen" most major manufacturers listened to the feedback from a lot of more experienced fisherman and started to offer combination key controls with touch capability. Both my 4-year-old Simrad NSS EVO3 unit its current counterpart have both touch screen and hardwired key functions. Same is true with offerings from Lowrance and Garmin.

I too prefer the hard keys in most situations for 2 main reasons. One is keeping my fish gurve covered fingers off that nice display. Second is that unless you are on a really large sportfisherman making inputs on a touch screen with any amount of boat motion is quite imprecise. Just look around Pangaroo and I'm sure you will find a unit the meets your needs.

 

[OVERBORED]

I wish the fish finders today had knobs you can turn to increase/ decrease power and the depth. Like the Sitex paper recorders in the 1980's. I have the Humminbird 7 inch G3 Mega Image. It was made in Alabama.

Im sure you can find an older Furuno or Sitex on Ebay.

 

[Roccus7]

too prefer the hard keys in most situations for 2 main reasons. One is keeping my fish gurve covered fingers off that nice display. Second is that unless you are on a really large sportfisherman making inputs on a touch screen with any amount of boat motion is quite imprecise. Just look around Pangaroo and I'm sure you will find a unit the meets your needs.

Absolutely true!! Real fishermen, at least those who catch fish, wouldn't touch a touch screen with a 10 ft pole...

Think about it. What does your cell phone screen look like after using it during a successful fishing trip, and how many times did you "miss" what you wanted to touch on it while you were underway???

 

[Leprechaun]

Real fishermen, at least those who catch fish, wouldn't touch a touch screen with a 10 ft pole...

Hah! I guess I'm a fake fisher then. I don't presently own any 10' poles, but if you think it'll help, I can go buy one.

At one time I was of the same opinion as you. Until I tried out my new-ish Garmin GPSMAP. Putting in waypoints and making software corrections is t*ts with a touch screen. I just keep a fish towel near the helm and all is good. Don't you wipe your hands to use your current instruments anyway? Yuuuck, who the hell doesn't? Geesh . . . just not the issue that many imagine it to be.

In fact, my next, somewhat larger Garmin GPSMAP will also be a touch screen. I love mine to death.

 

[Roccus7]

@Leprechaun, no doubt you’re a real fisherman that catches. For a point of reference, I’m anal about keeping my computer screen immaculate and even a single fingerprint will drive me nuts. A touchscreen only instrument would mean my screen cleaner monthly bill would skyrocket and fish rag laundry washes would go up by a factor of 100; the only time I wash them now is when they follow me back into the house.

Therefore I try to avoid even touch screen computers like the plague. On my 1 touchscreen computer, guess what was the 1st “feature” I immediately deactivated?

Bottom line, I will only consider future boat instrumentation that have buttons or combo button/ touchscreen. Current boat came with button controlled GARMINGPS MAP, and I am tickled pink with it. Here’s hoping I expire before before it does.

Who has time to clean their hands when diving for the MARK button???

 

[Leprechaun]

Umm, me. You’ve never sailed with me. I don’t tolerate any sort of crud in any way, shape or form on my boat. Just ask our mutual buddy that sails out of Greenport. He knows.

Buttons, no buttons, as long as it works for the Captain, all is good. As my Sicilian grandfather used to say, “salsiccia his own.”

 

[captmike28]

Umm, me. You’ve never sailed with me. I don’t tolerate any sort of crud in any way, shape or form on my boat. Just ask our mutual buddy that sails out of Greenport. He knows.

Buttons, no buttons, as long as it works for the Captain, all is good. As my Sicilian grandfather used to say, “salsiccia his own.”

No doubt the Leprechaun is one really clean vessel, despite the numerous scales that find its deck.

I get nervous if I accidentally hook myself and leave a drop of blood anywhere in sight!!!

 

[Chinacat]

I’m getting closer to a decision
For whatever reason I cheaped out and did not get a new “door” and have it installed in my shrink wrap this year. I have to buy one and install it so I can double check my measurements and space constraints and be sure to confirm the biggest unit I can fit so I can order it and be ready to install it as part of my spring prep

 

[Leprechaun]

When you do choose, take into account the Hz rating of the internal GPS receiver. Most are 5Hz, like the Garmin EchoMap units. The GPSMap units are 10Hz. This means they will acquire and lock onto the Satellites faster and hold the lock on weird-condition days - without needing the addition of an external antenna.