Fishfinder/GPS

[kcullip2006]

Can anyone recommend a good one that's not too expensive?  Never bought one before.  Thanks.

[genecrabman]

In all electronics you get what you pay for..Most the time cheap ain't too good.I'd also think about getting separate units, that way if 1 of them breaks down you won't lose both of em,while it's in shop..Furuno makes good stuff and so does Garmin..I use a Furuno chartplotter model # 1650 and a Garmin depth finder model# 250C they both do a good job and are really waterproof..

[Crabbyd]

I have the Garmin 440S.  I have had it a couple of years.  Love it so far

[jack1747]

Definitely 2 separate unit is the way to go unless space in a issue.  Ditto on the Garman or Furuno... Go with color units.  They are a million times better then B/W in day light.  However, don't give up your sounding cord, compass and charts.  When the battery dies so does the electronics.... 

[tattoo]

Check our E_BAY there are lots of them there. 

[Seaweed]

Garmin 498C.  Discontinued model, but I really like it.

From what I can tell, Garmin is better for chartplotting, whereas Lowrance leads the way in depthfinding and fishfinding capabilities.

[ACFISHERIES]

Unfortunately Sitex went belly-up. Have an old Sitex CVS 106 color sounder(120kHz), great bottom machine. Furuno DGPS 35 is a great small plotter($500-600 new). If space isn't an issue Raymarine E series are also good. I have an E80 just as a plotter, but with the right accessories can be used as a radar and a sounder, would love to have radar overlay on the plotter screen. Never had a Garmin.

[Seanile]

I got lucky a few years back and picked up a discontinued Lowrance LCX 18-C for 50% off list.

Never regretted buying the Lowrance.

[kcullip2006]

Thanks guys, I continue to search Ebay and Craigslist, but so much stuff on there is missing this or that...And I'm all thumbs enough already when it comes to electronics without those issues.  May just end up getting an inexpensive one at Bass Pro or WallyWorld for a buck and a half.  I really like that 440s CrabbyD and Rockfish have.  Just can't shell out 4 or 500 bucks right now.  Thanks again for the suggestions and opinions though.  I learned a little something from almost every post on here. 

[CrabmanC27C]

 Garmin

[krackycrab]

just curious, what is the purpose of a GPS on a small craft that goes a few miles from shore?

[jack1747]

just curious, what is the purpose of a GPS on a small craft that goes a few miles from shore?

Define a few miles?    Like out of sight of land?

I use mine to find my crab pots when I am close to home and to mark fishing spots.  Some of the uses are, fog, night, seaside and the dreaded thunder storms.  Line of site to the horizon is about 10 miles from my helm.  Down here, the Bay is 45 miles across and from a distance the shore line looks all the same. Same thing on the seaside.  The beach looks all the same.  The best use of my GPSs is fuel savings.  If I am miles from home I can just punch in the navigation coordinates and the GPS will highlite the straight as the crow fly course to that way point.  This allows you to run right to the way point without constant course corrections.  Yes I can do that with compass and charts.  That is what the GPS automates for you. When I take fishing parties out I always ask, at the end of the day, "Who knows which way is home?".  It's probably 1 in a 100 that somebody will know (guess) the right direction.

[kcullip2006]

just curious, what is the purpose of a GPS on a small craft that goes a few miles from shore?

Driving at night or in fog without one is pretty hairy.  The biggest advantage for crabbers is being able to see the ledges and contours of the bottom for setting traps. 

[captaincrab55]

just curious, what is the purpose of a GPS on a small craft that goes a few miles from shore?

   Let reverse the question....    Why would one go a few miles from shore without a GPS??

In the event of an emergency, a GPS can provide you with a very accurate location that can be relayed to emergency responders...

[anchor]

as far as the question asked. why would anyone count on a gps for running at night or in the fog, that is what radar is for. in my honest opinion a gps is a crutch everyone relies way to heavily on. yes i have a gps and yes i run radar, a chartplotter and bottom sounder. the real question should be if land was not in sight would you find your way back to your inlet or boat ramp if your gps took a [curd] using  a map and compass. not look to start an arguement but i was just looking on another site i frequent and saw a 30-40' sportfisher wased up on dewey beach delaware cause the captain lost all electronics and ran it aground( total loss). i remember running to the baltimore tuna fishing in the mid 90's and lightning struck my outtrigger killed all my electronics, i about [shiz] my pants running home in the dark with no radar or gps what should have been a 4 hr ride turned in 9hrs of [Sam Hill]. in my honest opinion one piece of equipment i wont go without is a compass, they hardly ever fail.

[krackycrab]

   Let reverse the question....    Why would one go a few miles from shore without a GPS??

In the event of an emergency, a GPS can provide you with a very accurate location that can be relayed to emergency responders...

can a distress signal be sent like onstar or would you need a radio or epirb. I had a basic gps 10yrs ago and was disappointed took it back for a refund, but i am sure they have improved, basically a slow electronic compass that marks somewhat accurate waypoints. I liked the concept of leaving virtual bread crumbs so you can retrace your path, but i do think you could be lulled into a false sense of security. I dont usually go more than 5 miles offshore in my 16' boat. Thanks for the responses wasnt sure this is something i need, along with a compass, clock, sextant, sonar, radar,epirb,vhf,wifi....more fuel capacity. currently i have a cheapo depth finder that displays depth,surface temp and volts, and have felt somewhat limited when it has gone out.

[jack1747]

as far as the question asked. why would anyone count on a gps for running at night or in the fog, that is what radar is for. in my honest opinion a gps is a crutch everyone relies way to heavily on. yes i have a gps and yes i run radar, a chartplotter and bottom sounder. the real question should be if land was not in sight would you find your way back to your inlet or boat ramp if your gps took a [curd] using  a map and compass. not look to start an arguement but i was just looking on another site i frequent and saw a 30-40' sportfisher wased up on dewey beach delaware cause the captain lost all electronics and ran it aground( total loss). i remember running to the baltimore tuna fishing in the mid 90's and lightning struck my outtrigger killed all my electronics, i about [shiz] my pants running home in the dark with no radar or gps what should have been a 4 hr ride turned in 9hrs of [Sam Hill]. in my honest opinion one piece of equipment i wont go without is a compass, they hardly ever fail.

I agree 1000%...   If you can not navigate without the GPS, stay home.  But they do make things easier. 

[ACFISHERIES]

I log around 1400 hrs in a 6 month period crabbing. I run 2 gps plotters and a radar, but I always have an updated chart and a good compass. Imho a gps/plotter saves time and money and they are not that slow anymore. In heavy nighttime fog I use both my plotline and radar to negotiate my way out the river and the marked channel.

[penelope ann]

other's have said it,i will too...garmin,garmin makes a reasonably priced gps

[Captain C]

can a distress signal be sent like onstar or would you need a radio or epirb. I had a basic gps 10yrs ago and was disappointed took it back for a refund, but i am sure they have improved, basically a slow electronic compass that marks somewhat accurate waypoints. I liked the concept of leaving virtual bread crumbs so you can retrace your path, but i do think you could be lulled into a false sense of security. I dont usually go more than 5 miles offshore in my 16' boat. Thanks for the responses wasnt sure this is something i need, along with a compass, clock, sextant, sonar, radar,epirb,vhf,wifi....more fuel capacity. currently i have a cheapo depth finder that displays depth,surface temp and volts, and have felt somewhat limited when it has gone out.

A sextant is useless for anyone navigating a skiff.