Wanted to get some opinions from locals in CHS on what from a guide to the weekend warrior suggests for a all in one Sonar/GPS Chartplotter. I have been looking at Raymarine Axiom 9 with all the different types of sonar imaging and Simrad Goes9 with the same. Your thoughts are much appreciated.
There is NO “RIGHT” answer to that question but here is my 2¢ worth.
1). Budget is the first big factor
2). Unless you are one that likes fooling with techie gadgetry simplicity of operation is highly important, everything seems simple sitting on dry land but on the water moving 25-50+ mph with added wave action is a totally different concept.
3). I am currently using a Garmin, it was installed by the Manufacturer when I bought the boat. It has some good features including simplicity to operate but not what I would recommend mainly because Garmin is not compatible with Navionics.
4). I fish with my son sometimes and he has a Lowrance Unit, I like it’s relatively simple operation and compatibility with Navionics.
When I ran offshore boats I used Simrad, if you have a healthy budget and plan to add radar a Simrad Package would be my choice.
Here is a Navionics compatibility chart.
I thought Garmin owned Navionics? Either way I recommend Lowrance on the lower end and Simrad which is compatible with Lowrance on the upper end. Besides radar Simrad will display and control your engine parameters on newer outboards and control some sterios if you are a mind to.
Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”
quote:
Originally posted by Head EastI thought Garmin owned Navionics? Either way I recommend Lowrance on the lower end and Simrad which is compatible with Lowrance on the upper end. Besides radar Simrad will display and control your engine parameters on newer outboards and control some sterios if you are a mind to.
Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”
They do. Bought them in October of 2017 I believe.
To the OP, as far as which unit/brand to buy, don’t over-think it. They (Lowrance, Garmin, Humminbird, Simrad…) use the same technology but call it something different. Your price point models won’t have some of the features of the more expensive units but they also won’t be as strong (frequency strength) so their detail won’t be as good. Bottom line, you get what you pay for when it comes to picture quality/image detail so before you can decide which brand/unit you want, you must first decide how much you want to pay.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
It’s not talking crap if you can back it up…and nothing can back it up better than facts.
quote:Mine is a 2016 model but Garmin is not Navionics compatible with any Garmin device based on the January 2019 compatibility chart.
Originally posted by Head EastI thought Garmin owned Navionics? Either way I recommend Lowrance on the lower end and Simrad which is compatible with Lowrance on the upper end. Besides radar Simrad will display and control your engine parameters on newer outboards and control some sterios if you are a mind to.
Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”
https://www.navionics.com/usa/go-boating/garmin-plotter
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
It’s not talking crap if you can back it up…and nothing can back it up better than facts.
If you can swing it money wise, the Lowrance HDS Live 9 with the AI 3-1 Transom Mount transducer. HDS Live has the better screen for direct sunlight and actual buttons you can press when getting tossed around out there. Plus the new LiveSight transducer is a direct plug in to complement an AI 3-1.
The Simrad Go9 with a AI 3-1 is also a good choice. I wouldn’t mess a thru hull transducer unless you’re willing to spend big bucks on the transducer and step up into something like an Evo3.
If you’re inshore / nearshore AI 3-1 will be more than enough.
quote:
Originally posted by kgearhartIf you can swing it money wise, the Lowrance HDS Live 9 with the AI 3-1 Transom Mount transducer. HDS Live has the better screen for direct sunlight and actual buttons you can press when getting tossed around out there. Plus the new LiveSight transducer is a direct plug in to complement an AI 3-1.
The Simrad Go9 with a AI 3-1 is also a good choice. I wouldn’t mess a thru hull transducer unless you’re willing to spend big bucks on the transducer and step up into something like an Evo3.
If you’re inshore / nearshore AI 3-1 will be more than enough.
A short public service announcement about the “live” Lowrance units. It will require a special “attachement” or transducer (which isn’t even available yet) to get the “live” or real time sonar (I believe Lowrance is calling it "LiveSight) functionality (like Panoptics). It’s not simply a matter of buying a “live” unit and getting that functionality. I mention this only because I know of a few people that were expecting something from their Lowrance Live units that isn’t available yet. Granted, that’s their fault for not doing their research.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
It’s not talking crap if you can back it up…and nothing can back it up better than facts.
I just assumed Navionics was compatible when I saw they bought Garmin. I own a Lowrance unit and a Raymarine. Thanks for the info bangstick, not only Navionics but on the new “live” units. I can’t afford one right now but have been leering at the description of them.
Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”
Yeah, doesn’t make since that Garmin still isn’t compatible even after the purchase but they are working on it.
Any time, HE.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
It’s not talking crap if you can back it up…and nothing can back it up better than facts.
Functionally these units are all good… my issue is the buttons and what the screen progressions are where when you need them. The best setup I like is the Humminbird “Hot Buttons” where you can set one of three buttons to go to any screen you want with a single press. So #1 is GPS full screen at 1 mile view zoom #2 is Side Scan out 60’ and #3 is whatever sonar I’m favoring. Need to change it? Go to the screen you want and hold one of the hot buttons for 3 seconds, bingo it’s now that screen. I dislike navigating menus when I’m in wind and current trying to settle on a spot, especially when fishing alone.
I have not fished using a Garmin (now owns Navionics) yet but I hear they are the most user friendly.
Capt. Garry Coats
Folly Beach & CHS
@DolphinChartersSC
whatever you go with, I would spend extra money on a good thru Hull transducer.
You didnt say what kind of boat or what kind of use so I’m just going to assume…
Touch screens get wet and you might find yourself drying off to use them.
Hybrid touch with buttons might be the best option.
Buttons are easier to use in rough waters.
No, I wont slow down to use my touch screen.
No, I wont stop catching fish and dry my hands to use my touch screen.
No, I wont carry around a bottle of screen cleaner and a dedicated towel to clean all the wet fish slime finger prints from the touch screen.
Humminbird is my preference, it’s just what I’ve gotten used to.
They come as a combo with transducers so no hunting down all the parts.
SOLIX 10 is their Hybrid
Helix 10 is button only.
My console graph has dual transducers.
Thru hull or shoot thru transducer tend to hold bottom at higher speeds.
The transom transducer provides HD Down and Side imaging.
Engine info compatible.
Navionics compatible
They are still made in the USA.