Combo Chartplotter/FF??

Chinacat

Chinacat

Well-Known Angler
Looking for advice on a good combo unit to be mounted on a 17' Boston Whaler Montauk- my father's boat.
He stays primarily in the bay so not looking for a high end unit.
Just want something basic to be able to track drift lines while fishing, show depth good, and be able to help find his way back to the dock on a foggy day. Its an open boat with no T-Top or bimini so it needs to be something that is visible in sunlight.
My unit on my boat is a Lowrance from 2003 so I'm behind in the latest technology.
Thanks.
 
Please stop!!!!!!!!
I can search the internet and find all the same crap
I'm looking for hands on info from people that have boats and actually use equipment.
I really appreciate you trashing my thread dude
 
It all comes down to budget, as I'm sure you already know. I have a echoMap. 70s Garmin on my 18 Roballo and I fish the sound. I love it. I'm pretty sure Garmin has some nice units at good prices. And the new high def chips that can be bought in the aftermarket are incredible.

It may be too much for your application but I'm sure it will do the job.
 
george said:
It all comes down to budget, as I'm sure you already know. I have a echoMap. 70s Garmin on my 18 Roballo and I fish the sound. I love it. I'm pretty sure Garmin has some nice units at good prices. And the new high def chips that can be bought in the aftermarket are incredible.

It may be too much for your application but I'm sure it will do the job.
Click to expand...
Thanks George.
Yep, budget and how many bells and whistles are needed is a big consideration and once we zone in on a brand, will focus on a specific model.
I guess I'm really looking to find out if anybody has any big issues with viewing a particular brand in direct bright sun.
How is your Garmin in those conditions?
 
Chinacat said:
Thanks George.
Yep, budget and how many bells and whistles are needed is a big consideration and once we zone in on a brand, will focus on a specific model.
I guess I'm really looking to find out if anybody has any big issues with viewing a particular brand in direct bright sun.
How is your Garmin in those conditions?
Click to expand...
I have a t top but there have been plenty of times the sun has been shining on it directly and I see it just fine. That's providing I have my reading glasses on ?
 
It's an LCD screen. That's what all of the new models are designed for.

The most important thing he's looking for is proper beacon reception
to put him over a small piece.

Wide Area Augmentation System



 
I have Garmin Striker 4 on my kayak (suction cup mount but there are regular mounts for boats) It works well and has held up over the last 3-4 years I've owned it. Battery life is good, probably 12 hrs at least. it has dual frequency for deep water, its easy to use, has a thermometer and GPS. It tracks drift lines, has a waypoint and navigation feature. My unit doesn't have a chartplotter, but the "plus" version does. I think you could get everything you need set up for around $200.
It functions well in the sun, if you just play with the brightness
 
I have the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 64cv, I cant express how much I like this unit. It does everything you would need from bay fishing to ocean. Im pretty sure they come in different sizes so there should be one to fit your Whaler. Good luck!
 
We have a similar situation. I have 17 foot Proline with a 2002 Garmin 188C.

I purchased the Garmin Echomap 74SV+transducer. I was on Captain John Paduano boat. The man could look at the unit and say "There is a Striper under the boat. Lets get him." The resolution on the scans it what makes the unit worth the money. Maps....I got around fine with the old maps.

This unit has side scan. I don't use it much. Unlike the sounder, I find it harder to read.

One thing I'll mention. I purchased the 74SV. If I had to do it again, I might spring for the 94. I think it would be more useful in split mode. It was $200 more.
 
Chinacat said:
So are you saying you worked for lowrance?
Click to expand...

They have a great sales pitch. when everyone started to make the change.

Loran-C was a hyperbolic radio navigation system that allowed a receiver
to determine its position by listening to low frequency radio signals transmitted
by fixed land-based radio beacons.
 
If you are on Long Island, you may want to consider using Captain Jeff. He was great for installation on my Garmin Echomap 74SV+transducer. You may want to consider asking him installing about your electronics (when you decide).
 

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Thank you one and all for all the helpful information
It is much appreciated
Have plenty of time over the winter to continue researching and be ready to move forward in the spring
 
For what it’s worth, West Marine will have some Black Friday sales on the Garmin Echo units. I’ve always found Garmin to be most user friendly (but totally get everyone has their favorites). I run a Humminbird too and love the sounder on that unit....
 
The unsinkable legend. :)

One more thing that I find to be very important.
Whatever boat make or model that you have.
If you contact the dealer, they'll let you know
what marine electronics manufacturer that they
are exclusively dealing with. Food for thought.
 
Any of the Simrad units, they're all excellent units. The GO series is the entry level. Its a little slower than the EVO 2 or EVO 3 but still a very good unit. I've used all 3 and can highly recommend them. My personal units are a 7" EVO 2 that I have set up as a portable and a 9"EVO 3 flush in the console. No if the sun hit it directly you can see the screen, a sun screen helps or just turn the boat.
 
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