charts to be about 500m out on contuors and structures on there maps

 The Lowrance units get a pretty good rap on the GPS side of things. 

What I would like to know, is the elite 5 operating in just plotter mode, exactly the same as the elite 5m?. You can get the elite 5 for cheaper than the 5m, both come with navionics gold, both from the same shop, but the elite 5 has the sounder as well?

Its a plotter/fishfinder combo, but just use the plotter side? Around $750?

Hey joe, the HDS5m is a awsome lirttle unit running Navionics GOLD maps and the detail is superb. The Garmin your better of getting the 551s ver as even though it has sounder its priced abou $80 more than the stand alone ver. PM me for a price on either unit. The HDS has a 2 year warranty against 1 year for the elite and the HDS has a 3 year out of warranty back up service plan agins the elite of 1 year. The HDS also is NMEA2000 compatible and so is the Garmin gpsmap551s. Garmin also has a 2 year warranty, also has aus nz chart pre loaded. If your confused call in and see one of us here and we'll be more than happy to assist you, or even call us and we can give you the low down over the phone.

I have had both. The Garmin GPSMAP 551S was an excellent combo however you need a Bluechart G2 card to get the extras out of it including auto guidance which was really grouse. However, have just purchased the HDS5 and with the Navionics Gold card the screen and maps are second to none. Perfect clarity in night or day conditions. I got mine from BCF with a really good deal at  Osborne Park. Really looks the part having it installed in the dash too.

Loarance HDS5M 

 thanx guys for helping me decide,guess i will look at the lowrance range and garmin 551

 any specials coming up on gps units at the mandurah boatshow?

go for a garmin etrex handheld for about 130 bucks and spend the rest of your budget towards a good quality sounder.  only rely on the gps to put you right onto a spot...  let the sounder find the fish when you get there.  as far as charts go, i keep paper ones on board, with a hand bearing compass and navigate the old fashion way if needed, otherwise I rely on a bit a research (off the chart) beforehand and the nav markers.  save yourself the money I reckon and invest it in a good quality sounder.

Yes we will be running specials at the Show so come and see us in the Marquee with all 3 brands on display. Furuno, Lowrance and Garmin. And New Echo range, preety good little sounders by Garmin.

hds5, the sounder side of it is pretty good (im not gonna argue who makes a better sounder etc) but as a combo i feel its the best value and is upgradable in future with any software upgrades and also side imaging. i use the rewind function to look back at ground i went over even if it was an hr ago, i can go back and mark the spots, also with side imaging u can see all the bombies and ledges clearly up to 50m each side of the boat and u can mark each end of the ledge to get the drift perfect, proly too much info but u get the idea. im very impressed with my hds10 and its ability to help me fill my eski more often than not! i had a navman 8084 and the sounder was ok but i could never find the ground ive found with my hds lowrance thanks to the rewind funtion :) also with the side scan ive found some structure in 10mins which took 2hrs for my mate to find as he didnt have side scan.