looking at getting a gps/chartplotter under $1000 ...info please
Submitted by hemi on Mon, 2011-06-20 21:02
since i just had my 30th i got a few vouchers at bcf and am keen to get a chartplotter /gps and as i know absouloutly nothing about them i was hoping someone could give me some info like:
good and sh*t brands
best one sub $1000
any hidden costs like cards ect
that would be sweet
cheers joe
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
I have a hds5m with gold
I have a hds5m with gold navionics. Was less than $1k. Detail & resolution is very good - easy to use & understand as well.
I'd highly recommend it.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
There ought to be some good
There ought to be some good info on the site for garmin, hummingbird, lowrance and raymarine.
I can't really help you with the hummingbird or garmin units, but in that segment you're looking at Lowrance HDS5 or the Raymarine A70. You need to buy a card for each of them and they're pretty spendy. I used to use the Raymarine A65 in my old boat, and really likeed it. Mine came from Challenge Marine, Ryan gave me the best deal in Perth at the time.
It is a bit more, but I'd probably rate the Raymarine A70 over the lowrance, it comes with softbuttons that lowrance doesn't give you until you hit the expense of the HDS-8.
Just remember that transducer placement is critical with any unit and its especially tricky with a cat.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
appears hemi is just after a
appears hemi is just after a plotter not combo
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
I've fished with Hemi, at the
I've fished with Hemi, at the time we did discuss getting a combo ;)
His boat came with a pretty mickey mouse sounder and pretty sure that most of the available combos would be an upgrade.
Combos, they're not actually evil despite a lot of negative views on the forum. Until such a point as Furuno makes a good cheap GPS to talk to their excellent sounders its not such a bad way to go. Combo now and maybe a standalone Furuno down the track when you have some more $$$.
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
abso flippin lutelycombo
abso flippin lutely
combo units def have their place and i'd certainly consider another if big enough.
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
where the transducer is now
where the transducer is now works a treat ....but i heard u cand have one mounted in the hull...is that right cause there is no flat part?
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
i can vouch for the lowrance
i can vouch for the lowrance as a chartplotter. i'm on my second with nav gold card.
they make great plotters imo , just try and get one that will link easily to your sounder.
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Sad to inform, but BCF have
Sad to inform, but BCF have the Lowrance HDS 5 GPS unit with Gold card included on sale for $845 in their current catalogue.
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
what do u mean sad to
what do u mean sad to inform??
now i am cunfuses
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Well the consensus seems to
Well the consensus seems to be that BCF is a bit of a "naughty " word here.
I have the the Lowrance elite 5m GPS.
Very happy with it.
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
ahhhhhhh gotcha sounds cheap
do u think the plotter sounder combo would be a wise upgrade for $100 or best to have 2 units
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
I went the separate sounder
I went the separate sounder plotter.
The screens are to small to have both going for a start when you are not so young anymore.
Unless it is something like a HDS10 size.
The sounder is a different cattle of fish as the $$ spend on a decent one is very worthwhile in the ability to sound out fish.
I have 2 sounders going at the same time, one (old cheaper monochrome lyingbird one) locked on bottom structure other good one to work with finding out what is there.
But,.. I am very much still in the learning stage, there are much more expirienced fishermen and women here who know a lot more!
tot
Posts: 1162
Date Joined: 31/01/10
raymarine
the a50d is cheap at whitworths atm
great unit , pre-loaded maps and easy to use .
Reverse cycle a/c supply and install - Ducted and wall splits
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
Chartplotter GPS 755cx
Chartplotter GPS 755cx Humminbird
is this one crappy?
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Chartplotter-GPS-755cx-Humminbird.aspx?pid=133635#Description
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
In my previous boat, I went
In my previous boat, I went through 2 gps antennas (for a 97 matrix). Not a fan of the humminbird plotters anymore. Probably an isolated case & improved with internal antennas now (not sure)
squidvicious1
Posts: 824
Date Joined: 22/07/10
hemi the new 'birds come with
hemi the new 'birds come with 50 channel recievers, I've got the 998si and love the accurcies on th GPS.....
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
Or does anyone have a second
Or does anyone have a second hand decent unit for sale
Lastchance
Posts: 1273
Date Joined: 02/02/09
How much room do you have on
How much room do you have on your dash?
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
A fair bit
A fair bit
AllBoatsChandlery
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 17/07/10
lowrance HDS
Value for money and performance of a top dollar unit , you cant go wrong with a HDS, HDS7 is a good buy and nice size screen. for under 2k with chart and dual tranny its a great package. but it all depends on how much you wanna spend and what you want from it.
"There's no business like boat business"
hemi
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 17/01/10
ok i am picking up this week
ok i am picking up this week a
Lowrance HDS-5F Combo - 83/200 with gold naviotics card for $999does that sound good??