Fishfinder/GPS

[THunt]

Currently I have a Lowrance fish finder on my boat and looking to upgrade to one with GPS.  What do you guys suggest or have.  I like the Lowrance thats on there and am wonder if I stay with the same brand, can use the same cables?  Let me know what you think!!

Tyler

[lokidog]

I have a Lowrance global 5300 or something like that, the gps seems to take forever to lock on, even with an external antenna.  I have been much happier with Humminbird's customer service and quick response to questions.  Lowrance never responded to any of my contacts.   

[rasbo]

I have the lowrance gps and finder and love it,I went midrange price,like 550.oo not sure if it can use the same stuff or not,I could find catfish hiding behind rocks

[Rick]

I wouldn't run a Lowrance product on my boat if you gave it to me. Both units I've had were a POS and their customer service is terrible. I sat on hold for about 12 hours over the course of three days trying to get some help.

My current Garmin is much more user friendly as well. You ask anyone that owned both and 99% of the time the Garmin gets the nod for ease of use.

On a different note,I wouldn't own a FF/GPS combo either. If something goes TU,you lose everything.

My vote is for Garmin if you're on a budget and Furuno if you have money to spend.

[THunt]

Rick

OK I like that Idea just get a seperate unit for gps and then I could just keep the Fishfinder.  What model of Garmin should I look at?  Budget is max $600.  Also do you buy chips for the garmins for different locations?

Thanks Tyler

[cohoho]

GPS- Garmin
Fish Finder Lowrance HDS 5, seems to work fine for me.  Wish I had the HDS8 though, but for what I use it for it is good..

[lokidog]

Rick has a good point but also for the reasoning that if you get a dual use unit, unless the screen is the size of a small laptop, both your nav image and your FF.  I have had great luck with Garmin as well.  My old handheld gpsIII will lock on faster than my Lowrance while it is tucked behind the Lowrance on the dash.

[rasbo]

Rick has a good point but also for the reasoning that if you get a dual use unit, unless the screen is the size of a small laptop, both your nav image and your FF.  I have had great luck with Garmin as well.  My old handheld gpsIII will lock on faster than my Lowrance while it is tucked behind the Lowrance on the dash.

I still carry my backup gps handheld,woodman gave me that good idea...

[robodad]

I have the humminbird 958c and it is very user friendly and has got me on the fish pretty consistantly, I don't have any experience with the others as I never owned them but I can tell you that Humminbird customer service is top notch !!

[THunt]

Do they make a fixed mount GPS without the sonar?  All the ones I looking at seem to be both?

[lokidog]

Do they make a fixed mount GPS without the sonar?  All the ones I looking at seem to be both?

You don't have to use the FF feature but it will be there as a backup if you ever needed it.  You could mount the transducer on a board and just clamp it to the transom if ever needed in an emergency.

[THunt]

Ok did a little bit more research.  The Garmin 441s is in the right price range.  Might be a little small of a screen but all the reviews I have read seem to say good things.  Does anyone have this model?

[WCTaxidermy]

Ok did a little bit more research.  The Garmin 441s is in the right price range.  Might be a little small of a screen but all the reviews I have read seem to say good things.  Does anyone have this model?

thunt, I would recommend that if you feel the screen is a bit small for what you want, then it will be too small for what you want, so keep on doing some research until you find a unit that fits your needs.

If you buy a new Lowrance your old cable will not work.  I have a Lowrance HDS-5 and HDS-7 on my boat and have both linked up.  They have been bullet proof.  The HDS-5 has a a 5 inch screen and I run mine on split screen,  FF/GPS when I'm running the boat all the time.  The screen is plenty big enough and the clarity is awesome.

You can get the HDS models for a very good price now.  I think Cabelas is having a sale on them.  You can put chips in them that detail the lakes your fishing on in High Definition.  I have never had a problem with the customer service with Lowrance.  Was just on the phone with them on Monday getting the spec's on an ice-ducer. Had to wait 2 minutes to talk with a real person.  I think the customer service lacked in the past, but they are top notch now.

I have done a ton of research on them and if you have any questions at all feel free to pm me anytime.........John     

[fishngamereaper]

Lowrance HDS has performed flawless for me over the last two years. They are on sale right now becasue Lowrance is upgrading the HDS line. I run dual units on my boat but its not necessary, im just anal and spend alot of time off shore chasing halibut and tuna.

Have ran Furuno on other boats. Great units but pricey and not very user friendly.

If you buy a new Lowrance your going to want to upgrade your transducer anyway, so re wiring is going to be a must.

[Mossy]

Cabelas has the HDS-7 on sale right now, $400 off.  $599 after rebates....