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  #1  
Old 03-06-2015, 09:34 AM
olbarneybasser olbarneybasser is offline
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Default Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

Just bought a new boat and will be setting her up over the next few weeks. Spent the last day or so on the internet looking at electronics. So many choices. You guys have any recommendations on a Fishfinder/GPS Combo unit? Trying to keep it under $400 if I can get a decent one within that price point.
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  #2  
Old 03-06-2015, 10:28 AM
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Capt. Debbie Capt. Debbie is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

UNless you do small screen with no name manufacturers that's a tall order.

I have a Garmin which is a great brand for GPS/plotters & such. That is in color and is a 5 inch screen(sounds large but not all that much) and is $600+. Another $50 adds the sounder. I have a separate Lowrance FF stand alone that is B&W and only $200. Another good brand.

Electronics have gone through the roof on most things.

look B&W and off brands. Display size devastates the price. See one in real life to appreciate the look and feel. You may not like the small display.

SOme of the smaller 4" displays are just too SMALL for me. Add a sounder to the plotter and you have the perverbial 10 pounds in a 5 pound bag on a tiny screen.

Hope that helps?
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  #3  
Old 03-06-2015, 06:01 PM
fishfetchr fishfetchr is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

Good luck with the new boat.
Keep in mind that with a combo unit , if you lose one, you may lose em both (ex: bad power cable).
Just something to think about.
Separate units will usually mean larger displays too.

Mario
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  #4  
Old 03-07-2015, 04:07 PM
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Gerry Zagorski Gerry Zagorski is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

You can get a 5 inch garmin combo unit for that price but if you try and put in split screen where it shows your depth finder and map at the same time, it's going to be way too small. You need at least a 7 inch and a 10 would be better but that is going to be over your budget.
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  #5  
Old 03-11-2015, 01:43 PM
backbay backbay is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

too bad you missed the killer sale cabelas had around christmass, i got a lowrance 7 HDI for around $400, i havent seen any deals close to that since, also, what size boat and where do you plan on taking it... might help others point you in a certain direction
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  #6  
Old 03-19-2015, 04:15 PM
yumasdad yumasdad is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

The new Humminbird HELIX units would be in your ballpark are nice stand alone units but have only a 5" screen. All of the HELIX models are stand alone so you cannot network & connect via Ethernet cables to trolling motor or other unit on boat.
The HELIX is ok if you are just getting the DI model but if you want SI then I would go for a larger 7" unit. The GARMIN new SI unit has the best looking screen & is really easy to use-much more user friendly than the HB OR LOWRANCE models.

BASED MY EXPERIENCES GARMINS ARE BETTER BUILT, LAST LONGER & ARE MORE USER FRIENDLY. Maybe not as many bells & whistles as the other but who really uses all of that anyway. I fish fresh so I use just to locate structure, bait & temp then turn off when I get where I am fishing.
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  #7  
Old 03-19-2015, 04:39 PM
Fishhead728 Fishhead728 is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

Setting up a new boat!!! don't be cheap set it up right the first time
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  #8  
Old 03-22-2015, 02:02 PM
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hammer4reel hammer4reel is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

if on that tight of a budget either wait until you can afford a bigger screen.
take a ride to cabelas, and look for NEW units being discounted on close outs. many times you can get them at an even lower price.
Just need to ask the salesman IF that price is the bottom line.

Only bad thing about that is EVERY electronics manufactures new units wont talk to older units. and if you want to add something at a later date you may have to make major changes.

Buying a current new model should allow you to upgrade for about 3 years
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  #9  
Old 03-23-2015, 10:27 AM
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Capt. Debbie Capt. Debbie is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

Most people have a budget. How and on what is up to the boater to apportion.

If you fish the same areas all the time, how critical is much of this stuff? Seriously? He aint running out to the Canyon looking for swords and squid school 500 -600 feet down after burning a 100 gallns of fuel.

Simple question. . . . are there fish here right now under my boat. Y/N? The rest of the bells abnd whistles and manufacturer reputations are fluff.

True cheap junk wastes money due to failure. Ironically mentioned is the Hummingbird brand. We had them on Sea Tow boats in the early 2000's and were the biggest POS's. Displays failed. Fill with rain water. Pure (kinda) cheap crap. WE standardized on Garmin. I'm sure Hummingbird improved since then. I will never buy one unless that's thebest I can afford. IT's a compromise- means vs. features.

Moral of the story.... you want something that works and lasts.





Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishhead728 View Post
Setting up a new boat!!! don't be cheap set it up right the first time
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Last edited by Capt. Debbie; 03-23-2015 at 10:29 AM.. Reason: typos
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  #10  
Old 03-23-2015, 02:48 PM
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MrAC1980 MrAC1980 is offline
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Default Re: Recommendations - Fishfinder/GPS

I run one of those Hummingbird combo units with the built in charts/GPS in color and it's been great. 867c? Something like that. If you're not getting into wreck fishing then any of them will be good, but if you need good detail then spend the money.
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