fishfinder/chartplotter

[transportline205]

I have trawled the internet looking looking for tips, advise, and prices, of various units and configurations but the cod end is still a tad empty. I visited the boat show i spoke to Garmin,Navionics,Raymarine and a whole host of marine electronics suppliers. In the case of the latter they just want to sell you something, and are not really interested in people with little experience.I thought Garmin and Raymarine were "ouch" to expensive but by the time you throw in your chart card trany ect they are all a bit pricey.So im thinking this is a serious decision i don't want to get wrong Im not sure if i should go for seperate units c/plotter,fishfinder, or a display with the seperate modules or just go for a combi. I am thinking about overhead mounting to keep clear as much as possible my field of vision and i have noticed some cant be mounted overhead like some of the smaller garmins for example.Anythoughts guys are as usuall thankfully recieved,or even if anyone knows where i can get some good advise local suppliers etc . Tightlines you'all. Rob.

Edited September 21, 2009 by transportline205

[Jim]

I have very limited experience in this matter.

All I can say is that I have Lowrance GPS and Fish Finder and have been very pleased with them.

My setup was 2 years old when I bought it and developed a problem a few months later.

I spoke to the area rep, Mike Hall.

He was in the area the following week and came and replaced the faulty part and fitted new leads.

All he charged me was a cup of tea.

I was looking at the new systems at the weekend. Very impressive, I thought.

 

You can also download emulators. So you can run a replica on your computer to learn how to use it / or see if you like it.

 

Jim

[Rob]

 

Hi, I have always had Lowrance and been very pleased.

 

I won a Colour Combi (not sure I have mentioned that before!!!! ) and it was great but in the end I got annoyed with the split screen so now have an additional plotter.

 

They share the same GPS receiver and are on a Lowrance Network - so all is good.

 

Remember to factor in the connectors and network bits if you plan to go for two. The Lowrance should however come with enough bits to join them together, I am not sure re. other brands.

 

p.s. a Lowrance is teh same as an Eagle, but I am not sure if there are any compatiability issues.

 

We do have a sponsor of the open who supplies kit - Martin B shoudl be abel to davise who they are.

 

Rob

 

 

[great white]

On my last boat I was looking to upgrade so went to a show thinking to buy a combi unit, available space and budget were tight so I was looking at a 8" set.

 

when I looked at them on split screen, showing all the required navigation information, it was hard to see enough.

 

I then looked at two Lowrance sets and bought a 5" colour Plotter and 4" colour sounder. space and budget were just able to cope .

I bought two sets also for reliability, they proved to be good units and the controls were simular so not too confusing.

I was so impressed that I nearly took them off the boat when I sold it.

 

My new boat was swallowing cash so I opted for a single large combi unit.

Imported and tax paid from the states a lowrance 10" sounder /plotter.

 

Matt had told me that it would cover all my needs, but I had doubts and thought by now I would have added a second unit.

To be honest using it just for Fishfinder and Plotter, [with the navigation info overlaid on the plotter and not in a window] and making some use of the simple resizing of windows Matt was right.

I have a seperate radar so it is not trying to work three screens, as it would if I had all available options fitted.

 

I am not the only fan of Lowrance in the Club, its down to choice

 

My advice;

If buying one set make sure its big enough to see in use,when on split view.

If getting two, make sure they are the same make and the controls are simular.

 

Local contacts

Matt Sydenham MES at Salterns

Chris at Greenham Regis

[Coddy]

Hi Rob

 

If you get the chance it might be worth a trip over to Weymouth to JG Technologies as they have a great deal of equipment there and he supplies a number of the charter fleet.

 

He has a web site and as you will see the prices are very competitive.

 

http://www.jgtech.com/webshop.htm

 

Maybe worth a telephone call to see what he has on display so you can see it working.

 

Dave

[wotu2uk]

I will be updating my Simrad CE33 plotter/sounder soon, so that will be looking for a new home. Probably too old for your needs though.

 

John

[Maverick Martin]

I have used Lowrance on a previous boat and found their kit to be good. When I first purchased AWOL she came with Navman kit that worked but to be honest I personally didn't like. The picture quality was very blocky (not enough pixels)

I now have a basic Raymarine A65 with a ds600 sounder. Both are good units with good picture quality but the menu system on the A65 can be a little awkward until you learn what all the buttons do. The A65 has been superseded by the A700 that looks a good bit of kit.

 

I would suggest that for a plotter go with a minimum 6" screen in fact the larger the screen the better, saves your eyes a bit. The sounder size is not quite so important however pixel count counts here to give a nice picture that's not to blocky.

 

I prefer separate units as if one unit breaks you don't loose all your electronics but thats just me. I can see as a larger dual purpose unit doing the job but would suggest if you go down this route get as large a screen as practical/affordable.

 

Colour or mono? no contest colour all the way, makes the picture much easier to see and decipher

 

I use MES electronics with Matt Sydenham being the contact. They have an office at Salterns (not always manned) and a unit on the nuffield industrial estate. Chris at Greenham regis is also very helpful their in West Quay Road Poole

 

Martin

[codpiece]

I have recently purchased Plotter and radio from Matt Sydenham at MES very helpfull, great service. Derek.

[Sinbad]

We are blessed it seems with friendly helpful people, not just salesmen wanting you to part with your cash.... so make good use of them.

 

I cant praise Chris at Greenham Regis (Poole) enough, for his knowledge and good honest service. (loaned me a GPS aerial for 4 months, FOC until mine was fixed)

 

Also not said before on this thread, Garmin- based in Eastleigh have provided excellent aftercare on their products.

 

Whatever product you buy, I'm sure that it wont be treated like most superstore products, past 28 days when you try and claim on the warrantee, or just need it fixed - marine factors seem to invest in the long haul and if you use some of the persons mentioned in this thread for advice and service - they wont let you down.

So go ahead an buy with confidence !!

Good Luck

 

Paul

[transportline205]

I was not expecting such a great response thanks for all your interesting and very helpful advise,may your lines always be tight one's ,and i don't mean a flippin great lump off weed on the end cheers Rob.