Chart Plotter/fish Finder

[plaicemat]

Having had a fun day at the boat show on Monday with Reg, et al, I went to the Silva stand (who are the importers of Lowrance and Eagle fishfinders((same thing, different name on case and made by Lowrance)) and managed a deal on an Eagle Fishstrike 2000C combination, list price

[great white]

Hi Terry

 

nice to hear you enjoyed the show and got a good deal

I hope to go on saturday, and am well keen to have a look at what toys are available.

 

I had Lowrance units on the last boat and was very pleased with them, I hope to fit larger ones on the new one but budget is fast going so may need to consider a combined unit first and add a larger screen plotter later.

 

 

Charlie

 

[plaicemat]

Well, I'd certainly consider this one as it has a 7" screen as opposed to the 5" on the models like the 3500 and is as user friendly as the other models. The only difference between the Lowrance and Eagles is the depth range - the Eagle is only good down to 1000ft!

 

Have a chat with the young Silva chap on the stand, I think his name was Steve. He's the absolute dogs whatsits on using the units. They've bought a company boat and he spends his spare time out on the water practically testing the units whilst fishing. Ask him for the details of downloading a day's traces so you can analyse them and save the co-ordinates of interesting looking sonar pictures. I was confused about this previously but he makes it all very simple.

 

Terry.

[shytalk]

seiwa or sitex explorer proper kit not toys

[plaicemat]

?

 

Terry.

[Bob F]

Terry

 

The Eagle Fishstrike 2000c is exactly unit I have. Been using it for a year now, and very pleased with it.

 

The sonar recordings are great, and make interesting viewing back at home. I've been making recording of the local wrecks.

 

The only real gripe I have is the mounting bracket. The tilt system for adjusting the viewing angle is very awkward to adjust because of the square notches.

 

Other than that, a very, very good piece of kit for the price.

 

And I have not missed having a separate FF and GPS. The screen is plenty big enough, and it's one less piece of kit to take off at the end of the day.

 

I think I paid roughly the same price in the States, so it sounds like a good deal.

 

BF

[Maverick Martin]

http://www.si-tex.com/index.html

http://www.seiwa-marine.com/

 

[Bob F]

By the way, Terry, I will be taking my Eagle 2000C to the next club meeting to show members how to set up their plotters.

 

So, if you have any questions on using the unit, that will be a good meeting to attend.

 

cheers

 

BF

[plaicemat]

Thanks for your input, Bob, it's nice to get some knowledgeable feedback which supports my choice. Unfortunately, I'll be inScotland for the next meeting but may try to get a personal lesson from you sometime.

 

Thank you Martin, that explains all. Still not sure of the relevance, though, but I am probably not knowledgeable enough on the subject to recognise the difference between shoddy toys and the 'right stuff'. Or am I just being patronised, in the nicest possible way. No offence taken!

 

Terry.

[shytalk]

not shoddy toys but toys none the less the one i mentioned was aimed more at charlie if you tried one you eould agree

[plaicemat]

I think you'd find it would take someone more proficient than me to appreciate the difference as I currently use a Lowrance 3500 and that does everything I want from a chartplotter. I am very impressed with it and feel that a system any more sophisticated would be wasted on me. I'm not a salty sea dog but an amateur coastal potterer and these units get me where I want to be every time. I can't imagine what these other units could do that would benefit me. Charlie, perhaps, being a pro.

 

Terry.

[Shropfisher]

I too bought a plotter at the Show, Got the Standard Horizon 172C with Max C-Map cartridge,

[hotshot]

I ALMOST bought a chartplotter at the show (I've just got a Garmin Legend hand-held GPS at the moment) but was uncertain at what would be best on my (small!) budget. (<

Edited September 21, 2006 by hotshot

[great white]

Very interestin thread chaps

 

Peter who is the best contact for the sets you mentioned and do you know if they are at the show?

 

Thanks for your advice all, I hope the boys do not get to bored on Sat while Dads in the tent

 

Charlie

[shytalk]

jg at weymouth do em but try the koden stand at the show they may be the best chance as most of their gear is badged sitex in the states

[Paul J]

Dave,

 

get the external antenna, the Lowrance 3500 is great for the price

 

PJ

[Shropfisher]

I ALMOST bought a chartplotter at the show (I've just got a Garmin Legend hand-held GPS at the moment) but was uncertain at what would be best on my (small!) budget. (<

[Paul D]

Dave,

 

If you do get the internal antenna this will work OK as well. I have am internal antenna on my Garmin and this picks up a signal through the fiberglass cuddy.

 

However, given a choice I would opt for the external antenna version next time.

 

 

[hotshot]

Thanks to one and all for the advice - I dashed back to the show this evening and got one (Lowrance) delivered to me outside the gate, so I didn't even have to pay to get back in!

 

Now all I need to do is get the boat wiring sorted (and my DSC upgrade done!) and I can try and get the radio (Silva S10)and chartplotter working together! (I'm not sure what sort of cable I'll need to connect them - are these standard connections for all types, or do they need to come from Silva/ Lowrance specifically?)

 

Cheers!

 

Dave

[spNOam]

I have a Lowrance/Silva S10 combination (works a treat), you have all the cables you need unless the units are going to be a long way apart, don't forget to 'tell' the Lowrance unit that it has another device connected to it.

[duncan]

I have the 3500 unit but haven't got round to installing the antennae yet, it's just sitting next to the units on the shelf in the wheelhouse - seems quite happy there!

 

reason for saying this is that it would suggest the 3600 will perform quite adequately in a small boat installation