My family is about to get a 18’ish bay boat to do some inshore fishing with. If it was you what electronics would you go with? Thanks in advance.
At a minimum, a quality depth sounder. Everyone makes them now, its up to what you like, but lowrance, garmin, ray marine…whatever style you like. I personally like lowrance, but everyone has an opinion.
GPS is nice, not a priority if you are considering price.
VHF radio is a priority for me. You might not ever need it, but you’ll be happy you have it if an emergency ever arises.
Other than that, a good marine radio and you’ll be jammin!
I have a 17’ CC. I put in a Garmin 441S (sounder and GPS). I go to FL a couple times a year and like to explore unfamiliar areas around here. GPS is really nice and you can get the combo fairly cheap now.
I have the 441 also. Great unit for the Money. I would also say VHF.
2000 2220 KeyWest CC 225ox66 “Drippin Wet”
thanks…i have been looking at combo units from both lowrance and garmin…just need to make up the mind
Do yourself a favor and get a sounder/gps combo. You will never regret it. The ability to store waypoints to indicate fishing spots, a way through a cut, or an unmarked obstruction is worth the price alone. Plus, unless you have radar, a gps is the only way you can safely get home in the fog or at night unless you want to crawl along with a searchlight. (…although I do remember going to Bull’s Bay at night without one at 45 mph with just a searchlight quite a few times…took a wrong turn one night and ended up in the middle of a mud flat…) Get the largest screen and highest resolution you can afford with a good Navionics chart. Besides…they are really fun!
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
What PL said. Get a good combo with Navionics charts. The price of these have really dropped and the quality improved over the years. Nobody has mentioned my favorite yet, Humminbird. They make some great combo units.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
have to agree, the garmin 441 ( i have the older 440) is a great unit. the icom m72 vhf handheld, and if you want tunes, a Fusion marine ipod dock and JBL marine speakers…or just a marine amp with a plug for the ipod to save $$.
Cant miss with a combo unit. I have a Lowrance HDS 8 with structure scan and love it. But it all depends on your budget and needs. A radio is a must too. The one thing that wasn’t mentioned is SeaTow. I would put that right up with good electronics.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
Thanks for all the comments…Im looking at the Lowrance Elite 4 or 5 Combos, Hummingbird 597ci HD DI Combo, or Garmin 441,531 combos…saw several of you say the Garmin 441 was great…anybody got opinions on the others
Garmin 441 s has saved my butt a few times great investment
grab the gaff and another cold beer
If also looking for info on music options, Scotty D made a good point…my boat sits on a lift on the Folly River for 8 - 9 months of year and I couldn’t keep a stereo functioning for a full season (yes, they were marine stereos). I finally just bought an inexpensive amp (already wasted hundreds on stereos) that I mounted inside console and ran an iPod connect to dash. I can only listen to iPhone/iPod output (works for me) but it has lasted and was an inexpensive option. A safer bet would be a good marine grade amp.
I only have a fish finder for depth and wish I had gone combo. GPS is helpful to have - I have some routes marked on a handheld and nice to reassure myself I’m turing into the right creek sometimes! It can look so different just between tides, particularly when I haven’t been out in a month or more. Would be nice to have that in the combo unit…next time/boat!
Don’t guess anyone else uses a compass anymore?
The combo units are awesome. I fish Lk Murray on a boat with a Lowrance HDS 8. We can see our bait and sinker going down to the level of the stripers. My dad would have loved to have seen that. Using the breadcrumb trail feature of a GPS sure is a good idea getting in and out of the inshore areas. Beats trying to figure out where the Y73 is by reckoning w/ a compass.
quote:
Don't guess anyone else uses a compass anymore?
I do, just don’t consider it electronics:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
A compass is a good backup. I had one on my other boat just glad I never had to use it. Now I have 2 held held GPS’s for back up but keep looking at a compass too. Never can be to safe out on the big blue.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
I have oil base boat driving i will search that relevant of this topic and guide you. In this time you get advice oil base engine.
What???
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
CUT, check out the swap shop. There is a Lowrance 5X listed new in the box. Might be what you are looking for
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
thanks for all your help on the electronics…whats yalls opinion on the i-pilot gps controls for the riptide trolling motors