Which Gps?

[Bob F]

The 7" 480x640 Lowrance LCX-25C can be bought for $1,489. (200KHz)

 

The 6.4" 480x640 Garmin 3006C (200KHz & 50KHz) costs $1,670 + $255 for the FF box + $150 for a transducer, so $1,975 total.

 

Both have the same display quality both the Lowrance is slightly larger at 7".

 

With Lowrance you have the option of single or dual frequency. With the 3006C you do not. Remember, the 50KHz is not needed unless you frequently fish in greater than 300ft of water.

 

Lowrance sounder power is 8,000W compared to the 3006C which is 4,000W.

 

Lowrance sonar and GPS data is recordable togeather. On the 3006C you can only record GPS tracks.

 

The 3006C can be connected to Radar using it's 10Mbps data cable.

 

The 3006C has more waypoint storage with 4,000. Lowrance is 1,000. Both more than I will ever need.

 

Both have dual cartridge slots (one for your map, and one for storing data).

 

Garmin probably have the better functions on the GPS Navigation pages. Lowrance probably have the better sonar.

 

Both have very good charts. Garmin use their own BlueChart maps. Lowrance use Navionics Gold.

 

Horses for courses, I say. Take your pick.

 

BF

[Bob F]

Well, I think I've finally made up my mind which Plotter/FF combo unit I will get.

 

Having said that, I haven't seen a demo of the unit yet, so I might change my mind.

 

Surprisingly, it's going to be an Eagle SeaChamp 2000C DF.

 

Why?

 

1 - From what I have read and have seen, Eagle is a rebranding of the same Lowrance models. They either despec an existing Lowrance model, or repackage an older Lowrance model. So, with Eagle you have the same Lowrance quality.

 

2 - The Lowrance equivalent to the Eagle SeaChamp 2000C is the LCX-25C. Both have the same spec (7" colour VGA screens, 480x640) except for the following:

 

- Lowrance sonar power is 8,000W vs 4,000W on the Eagle. In terms of max depth, this equates to 3,000ft and 1,500ft respectively. 4,000W is more than enough for our waters.

 

- Lowrance has the new NMEA 2000 interface vs NMEA 0183 on Eagle. So, what? NMEA 2000 will only be useful if you want to add something like a Radar. I will not be adding a Radar, so NMEA 0183 will be fine for things like sending GPS numbers to/from your computer.

 

- Both units are able to record GPS and Sonar data.

 

- With the Lowrance LCX-25C, duel Freq Sonar is an optional extra. The SeaChamp is dual freq as standard. [note, I wouldn't normally bother with dual Freq but the company where I am buying it are doing the DF for the same price as the single freq, so why not have it?]

 

- Price!!! The LCX-25C is $1,489 (200KHz only). The SeaChamp 2000C DF is $1,169 (200KHz & 50KHz). So, I save $300, which is the price of an XL3 Navionics Gold chart.

 

We'll see how it goes when I see the units in real life. I could still be swayed by the Lowrance LCX-25C, or the Navman 6600, or Garmin 3006C.

 

Cheers

 

Bob F

[shytalk]

raymarine c120 !!!!

[Paul D]

Bob,

 

$1131.00 from Boatfix ( who I can recommend - I got a radio from them ).

 

 

[Bob F]

You can't record sonar data on the Raymarine C120, Pete. It's one of the things I like to do with my toys. And a Raymarine dealer even told be to go for the Lowance, when comparing the lower end of the FF market.

 

Thanks Paul.

 

BF

[shytalk]

sounds gimmicky to me but each to their own

[Afishionado]

INCREDIBLE NEW FISH FINDER COSTS ONLY PENNIES

 

Instructions....

 

Get line and add hook plus worm on hook.

 

Lower into sea.

 

presence of fish indicated by tugs on line and fish on hook

 

Mad Mike

[Bob F]

Had a wonderful time in BassPro yesterday (Orlando). Wow, what a place!!!

 

They have a great display of GPS/FF/Plotters, and ready for you to play with to your hearts content, and able to compare side by side. A technophobes' heaven!

 

I will still umming and arrrhing about whether the Lowrance/Eagle were the right choise compared with Garmin, Raymarine (not the C or E series) or Navman and others.

 

It turned out to be an easy decision. The FF on the Lowrance/Eagles have a far superior definition display. It made the others look like toys. In particular, I was very surprised at how poor the Garmin FF looked in comparison. Even when looking at the 3006 and 3010 displays.

 

And even the ease of use was better on the Lowrance/Eagle compared to Garmin. If anything, the Garmin had too many buttons and options, and I found myself stumbling to find what I wanted. I think alot of the GPS/Plotter functions on the Garmin would go unused by the vast majority of us.

 

In comparision, the Lowrance/Eagle was much easier to navigate around.

 

I'll be placing my order on the web for an Eagle Seachamp 2000C DF tomorrow.

 

The sonar/GPS function is not a gimmick in my opinion. I consider it a wonderful tool for finding new marks. Just look at how well it worked for the mark Duncan recorded.

 

Anyway, only time will tell, I guess.

 

Cheers all...we're now off to test out our stomachs and Islands of Adventure

[Adam F]

Had a good play on the Raymarine C120 yesterday. What a piece of kit - IMO it is way better than any of the others we have mentioned inc. the Garmin.

 

The detail on the chart is superb, it is so easy to use I just cracked on with it - and coupled with the sister FF unit makes the ideal piece of kit.

 

Only problem is the unit wouldnt fit on BW - the screen alone is a massive 12.1"!!

 

Have a good time bob.

[Bob F]

Yep, agreed, any of the C Series (C70, C90, C120) are better than the ones mentioned above, but then they are a lot more in price. Out my league, I'm afraid.

 

The Raymarine I looked at was the smaller standalone FF (similar to the Garmin FF's). The screen quality and image was nowhere near as good as the Lowrance.

 

But if you add another $2,000 you can move in the C series, which is a different kettle of fish!

 

The Lowrance represents better quality and usablity in it's price range, in my opinion. But as we've said before...each to their own. Do your own research and make your own choice.

 

cheers

 

BF

 

[shytalk]

have just got rid of a c70 with gps antenna for

[Bob F]

Grrrr...