Otter's Gadgets

[Wedger]

Well chaps we have to make a few decisions in the short term so a few tips if you can from the wise ones.

We will need DSC radio, sounder, GPS plotter. We have a modest budget so treat us gently. I've looked over the 'net' chandlers and seen the huge range of prices and capability so I could do with a tip or two from the experienced.

Any recommendations for mi new darlin'?

[Bob F]

Give us your total budget first, and then I can give you a few options.

 

Do you want a colour plotter or b&w?

 

Do you want a colour FF or B&W?

 

What size screens do you want? I suggest 5" minimum.

 

Do you want to play with the charts back at home on your computer?

 

Do you want to load way points back at home on your computer?

 

cheers

 

BF

 

[Newboy]

All I can say is if you know anyone going to the US, ask them to get them for you, plotter, ff, c-map/blue chart are all alot cheaper across the pond, a little bit cheaper once tax and duty is paid, but I've heard you can get quite a bit back without paying any tax.

[Wedger]

Right then.

I'll chat with Jim and settle on a budget. Not sure how much advantage colour would be? Perhaps going for a larger screen and/or higher spec would see better value.

[Paul D]

If you have a choice between b&w larger screen and colour with slightly smaller screen I would say go for the colour.

I imported a Garmin GPS sounder from the States ( saving a pretty penny or two as well ) and my BIG regret was not getting the colour version - much more readable in sunlight.

 

Also, a separate fishfinder to GPS gives more flexibility but I have both on the same unit - saves cost but means less room for the display.

 

Finally, get one with an external antenna - I got one with an internal antenna and picks up satellitses OK but the signals would be better with an external antennae and the extra cost is small (

[Bob F]

As Paul says, the new daylight viewable colour displays are much easier to see than the B&W. Do for colour for both the FF and Plotter if you can afford it.

 

BF

 

[Coddy]

Hi

 

Check out what others say about equipment here Fishing Boats and Equipment

 

Regards

 

Coddy

[Adam F]

Trev,

 

Good advice from the guys above - from a personal view and also from seeing the MI21 at the Southampton show last year - I would look at the large multi screens.

 

Ok, so they cost more per unit but they use less space and do all your requirements in one go. The one at the Soton show had a large Raymarine jobbie.

 

PS: Are you intending to trailer the new boat? If so I think the trailer is illegal as the boat is way, way over 750kgs - the legal limit for an un-breaked trailer....

[duncan]

what makes you think it's unbraked? Never seen a twin axel unbraked production trailer yet.

[Wedger]

Excellent advice from one and all. Many thanks

 

Appreciate your input Adam, and your interest in the MI 21.

If you do go for a new or newish Pirate, of course you will have the modified hull.

Correct me if I'm wrong but............... marginally more efficient lines, bit more stable and MORE SPEED POTENTIAL!!

Positive safety thought Adam............. but she is braked

[Newboy]

I can see a handbrake handle, so I'd say that's a braked trailer.

 

I see you have strapped it down with 2 straps but both at the front of the boat, is it secure?

[Wedger]

Hey chaps.

Strapping is one thing and brakes are another............

I towed the darlin' from Harwich, 200mls +, on an unknown trailer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The arrival photo would show 2 straps on the back and 2 at the front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was not pilchard enough (thankfully) to have the new aquisition overtake me on the M25! .......... BELT & BRACES! keeps your pants clean

The secondary straps are there, in part, 'cos the winch head is,

1) iffy, and

2), no winch or clasp.

 

Maybe I just like tying things down and bonding bits to bobs. but hey............ everyones different

[great white]

Hi

 

I replaced some of my electronics 18 months ago

 

I was shopping for a combined set, garmin colour

 

But after viewing them all at the London show decided that the screen was quite small, and when used split for two modes and navigation info, usable screen sizes were to small.

 

Had I the budget to opt for a 10" screen I may have gone for a combined unit

 

For less money I chose the Lowrance Global Map 5000c a 6" screen and a Lowrance 105Df colour fish finder. they have been fitted for 18 months and I am happy with my choice.

Perfect visability from the brightest day to full dark

plenty of power and definition in the FF

ability to store info on a user card and edit at home

operation is easy once you get used to it.

 

Two sets means that I should never really lose both on a fishing trip for an internal problem, therefore I could still find somwhere to fish. A combined unit goes down and you could be going home early

 

I am glad I went to colour, its much easier to pick out the info you are looking for on both sets.

 

Going to the next sets in the lowrance range increases the screen size slightly and doubles the definition and price so its all about budget really.

 

If you would like to see the set up, arrange a good time and I will take them to the boat so you can have a look. I think you can see some detail in the photo

 

Charlie

 

[duncan]

it is all going to be down to budget and priorities - and whether you can source via US easily!

 

I am going to disagree with the focus put on colour here - this is mainly because people have gone from 128 x 128 4 greys to 320 x 320 16 colours with the latest daylight viewable technology on top! Today B&W can mean a very nice 7" combined unit with 480 x 640 daylight viewable 16 grey unit...........

 

I am not against colour at all, I would just suggest it's a matter of priorities.

 

Equally if you can get a high definition 7" screen then a combined unit makes sense , at the lower price end (not Charlie's!) really low, you can pick up a good basic sonar and a basic GPS for very little money.

 

Budget?

[Maverick Martin]

I have a large screen high pixel Lowrance B&W plotter and regret not getting the colour equivilent. The reason for this is ease of veiwing. Dont get me wrong a large screen is a boon but in B&W it can be difficult to make out features and on occasions tell the difference between different contour lines. Some times to even see the screen can be testing especially if you had a heavy session the night before. Although I havent used a colour unit I can see the benefit of distingushing between land and contour lines by colour making life much simpilar. I would guess a colour sounder would have similar pluses but to be fair I have never had a problem seeing my B&W sounder unlike the plotter.

 

Next big investment for me will be a colour plotter Already started the secret stash of cash

 

Martin

[Newboy]

Following Martin's regrets, I invested in a Navman 5600 colour plotter, it's brilliant, easy to read in any condition.

 

I got mine from the US, at the same time I bought a c-map and a fuel usage metre total costing under

[Adam F]

Ah - I see....the only reason I presumed it was unbraked is that I couldnt see the friction coupling at the drawbar - I guess this trailer has a differnet set up?