DEPTHFINDER / GPS RECOMMENDATIONS...

[bow_vol]

What would you guys recommend for a good moderately priced depthfinder / GPS (under $600)?

Would you recommend an internal or external antenna ?

 

[crawdad048]

You can get a Lowrance 520-C off the internet for ~$600. It is about $650 a Chattanooga fish-n-fun. It is a pretty nice combo unit.

 

[nwright]

Internal antenna unit is easier to install. Take a look at Lowrance-Eagle

http://www.mysimon.com/9015-11654_8-35986862.html

 

[Guest]

Humminbird 777c2 with external antenae. 5 minutes longer to install 10 times easier to learn to use.

Cheez

 

[dtw2]

One that doesn't lie about where you are, if there is fish around, and also how deep it is. that would be the best one for the money.emoPoke emoTongue emoBigsmile emoUpsmile

 

[venom295pe]

Take a look at the Eagle Fish Elite 480 it is priced at 349$ at sportsman warehouse. I bought one a love it so far. It is a combo also.

 

[venom295pe]

Take a look at the Eagle Fish Elite 480 it is priced at 349$ at sportsman warehouse. I bought one and love it so far. It is a combo also.

 

[m17glock]

i have a humminbird 580 that i love. i did a lot of research before i bought one and bang for buck this is
pretty good. it was also the cheapest i could find that is navionics upgradable ebuyersworld still has it on sale for
$340 free shipping i orderd it on a monday and had it buy wen.
http://www.ebuyersworld.com/Humminbird-580-Combo-p/humminbird-580combo.htm

it is is an external ant

 

[m17glock]

oops

 

[beetlespin]

The best unit on the market near your price range is the Humminbird 787c2. Lowrance is a sorry brand. I have a 520c on my boat because it came with it and it is ok but the gps is always off. The 787c2 is much easier to use. Definetely get the external antenna.

 

[nwright]

Not wishing to get into a debate as to which brand is best but I have owned Lowrance ( eleven different models), Eagle, Garmin and Magellan . I have not used a Hummingbird. All were equal as far as accuracy is concerned. I have found that often the accuracy of a GPS, when navigating to a waypoint, is directly proportional to the experience of the user. The least accurate way to go to a waypoint is by using the map screen.

As for internal antenna versus external there is no difference concerning accuracy. All hand held units have internal antennas and are very accurate. Garmin has always had internal antennas for marine use and they work fine. Installing one with an internal antenna is much easier. The only disadvantage to using a Lowrance/Eagle unit with an internal antenna is you can’t network multiple units if they have internal antennas.

What is the best GPS? I don’t know, but I do know that the vast majority of professional fishermen use Lowrance. I have found them to be more user friendly than any other I have used. I don’t think you will regret buying one whether it is a Hummingbird, Garmin, Magellan or Lowrance. Keep in mind that to get the most out of your unit you will have to purchase mapping software to go with it. You can get the Fishing HotSpots Elite Pro(for Lowrance/Eagle) from Provantage for around $56. Most mapping software will run you a minimum of $100.

Good luck with the brand you choose.

 

[2jigs]

And I'll add you do want that. 

 

[gottofish]

This unit might be worth looking at. The Lowrance LMS-480 from bass pro , now 499$ . I just bought one but have not used, it seemed to be high in ratings but only draw back unit is Black & White, otherwise has many features found in units priced in the 600$ range. Thats my 2 cents worth.

 

[Liveliner]

I totally agree with what nwright said. They are all good as far as getting you to a point. It is, as he said, as good as the user's knowledge. Some units are more user friendly than others, however if you read your instructions and understand your unit, you will do good.

I personally prefer Garmin. My unit is the Garmin 198c at $1.5K and comes loaded with all "Blue Charts" of the entire USA. Since I use my boat on the coasts in saltwater I need that stuff. Garmin has a new series of GPS/sounders out that will give to you what you want right out of the box. A great unit to start looking at is the 430s and up to the 535s. > https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=150&pID=8054 < You do not need "Blue charts" in TN. You can purchase a unit preloaded or you can purchase a "Fishing Hot Spots East" card and just plug it in and get tons of info for this area.

I like to buy the unloaded unit and buy the map software extra. That way, if I should change my unit, I can still have access to the mapping software that I can load into the new unit.

 

[hl&s]

I just read a comparison of Garmin,Hummingbird,Lowrance, and Eagle units in the 6 -7 hundred dollar price range. The read is in the June 2007 F&S magazine. Garmin got the best pick based on it's highly detailed BlueChart g2 cartography map, best visibility in bright sunlight, and shallow water performance. The down side was the pixel count which was lowest of all units. Hummingbird was 2nd, Lowrance 3rd and Eagle 4th. Each unit has it's strong and weak points. A magazine pick does not necessarily mean the unit is the best one for your personal use. Viewing the units on display and comparing their features may help in deciding which one is best for you.

 

[bow_vol]

I did alot of research and ended up going over budget and getting the Humminbird 797 C2 Side Imaging unit. I put it on this evening and went to try it out. I ended up not even fishing - just cruised around looking at the Side Imaging screen. The detail is unbelievable - it actually shows the bottom in amazing detail out to about 150 feet on either side of the boat. You can actually see individual stumps, brush piles, and rocks on the bottom. I'll have to post some pics if I can remember to take my memory card.

 

[Guest]

Wow bow vol you didn't just go over budget you blew it completely away. What you got is the best available for any price. None of the others have anything like side imaging. That is the next unit I will buy. Let us know how it does.
I'm jealous!

emoThumbsup emoThumbsup

Cheez

 

[1309tam]

Lowrance 520 C is one of the best. If you are not mounting it in a dash or bow than you can us the internal one. (LMS-522C)It need s air to help it not get hot. Boats and Motors of Dalton is a Lowrance Dealer and Sells the LMS-520C for 649.00
Thanks

 

[flip1up]

bow vol, please do post some pictures of what that unit it showing. I was wondering if they really were very clear. Sounds like a great unit. emoThumbsup