I am buying a boat that has your basic fishfinder on it and I plan on upgrading.I plan on installing a vhf radio and a gps chartplotter/fishfinder. Based on what I have been reading Garmin looks to be the best, that’s based on customer reviews and what I have read on here. I am trying to stay in the $1k or under budget.
Based on your experience what would you recommend? I will be offshore(10-20 miles max) and inshore.
Keep it simple
Garmin 440s has come down in $ since the 441 came out. good deals anda great unit. the 540 series is the same with a bigger screen. with a unit like this, a good fixed mt vhf and great antenna, you will prob come in around a grand
How big of a boat do you have? How much dash space? I know this is more than you wanted to spend but this Saturday BOE is having a 5% off sale. You can get a Garmin 3210 bundle for $1500.00 If I were in the market this would be hard to turn down.
http://www.boemarine.com/Products/010-00528-01/Default.aspx
If you can’t fix it with a hammer, you’ve got an electrical problem.
Got a Lowrance HDS 7 in July, have nothing to say but good things about it. If garmin had the all in one units with bigger screens for the 1k price point, prolly would have gone with that. Cant be happier with this unit tho.
quote:Thats what you need...... Big screen, weather for about 50 year.
Originally posted by Scoutin 4 GoodiesHow big of a boat do you have? How much dash space? I know this is more than you wanted to spend but this Saturday BOE is having a 5% off sale. You can get a Garmin 3210 bundle for $1500.00 If I were in the market this would be hard to turn down.
http://www.boemarine.com/Products/010-00528-01/Default.aspx
If you can’t fix it with a hammer, you’ve got an electrical problem.
X2 on the Garmin 440 or 440S
“Crawfish”
2008 Sea Fox 197 CC
2008 Suzuki 140
Thanks for the input. The boat is a Sea Hunt 186, dual console/bowrider type. I don’t plan going offshore a whole lot but, I would like a radio for the just in case peace of mind. Has anyone had any experience with using the dsc feature? Your supposed to be able to see other boaters on the gps chart who have the same set up.Then if you send a distress signal it is supposed give the Coast Guard your gps coordinates. If I am reading the info correctly.
I am leaning towards either the Garmin 440 or maybe 540 with a good radio and antena.
Keep it simple
Buy an ICOM radio and they have DSC capabilities also.
Rick