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Posts: 22
Location: SouthWest PA | Looking at getting a new boat and was wondering if anyone has had any trouble with the combo-Fishfinder/GPS units?
My big concern is if one dies, I'll need to buy another unit. Was thinking about buying both separately, but wanted to see what everyone thought about their combo units. |
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Posts: 1460
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | I have a combo on the console and two seperate units up front. One a locater the other a gps chartplotter. I like having both units b/c I don't have to run split screen....that way my gps screen runs full size, which makes following contours and predicting inside turns much easier...
The console split screen is fine as I only use it to get into my 'starting position' for a given pass, then I hop up front on use my electric motor to make my turn adjustments as indicated by the countour map on the full screen gps up front. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Burlington, WI | Anybody recommend a sonar/gps unit? I am starting to look into getting a unit with the mapping capabilities of course. I am also not looking to spend more than a grand total (including the $150 mapping chip). I've heard the units with the internal GPS have had problems. Whereas, the external GPS units have not had problems. My reasons for wanting the GPS I think are probably the same as everyone else: finding open water stucture, finding structure without having to run over it first, knowing my path I took in order to take the same way back to where I came from safely, trolling, and i'm sure I am forgetting a few. Any help is appreciated. Thanks for the help. Greg |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Greg,
The issues with the internal antennae on the Lowrances have been taken care of. Lowrance seems to have fixed that problem before they released last years models. I wouldn't look past the internal GPS units now. Lowrance knew they had issues and they seemed to have addressed it. I have not heard of any issues as of late. And if you were to have issues, Lowrance has a great customer service and seem to handle issues pretty well. Now that doesn't mean every person has had good experience with there customer service but overall I'd say they've done pretty well.
But that said, I'd suggest going either two routes. I'm running two LCX-27's combos that have gps and sonar together. One main reason I went with the big units versus two separate sonars and two separate gps's was that I just don't need two on the bow and two on the console. For what I'm doing, the two larger units will work good for me. I like the bigger screens and the ability to put either the gps or sonar full screen. However, if one unit goes down it goes down and means I'm down one unit totally. So that is a downfall. But I really like the larger units.
But if your looking to stay at around a $1000, I'd suggest either the Lowrance LCX-27 with gps/sonar combo. That's going to run you around a $1000. Or, you can go with the two separate units. I'd suggest the Lowrance X-510c for about $500 and then a Lowrance GlobalMap either 5200c if you want the external antennae or 5300c with the internal antennae. Either way you go, it's going to be right around a $1000.
However, if you look hard, you could probably do a bit better on price. But these would be my suggestions. Not sure about the Garmins or Hummingbird's, I know Lowrance in my opinion has been the leader in electronics and know them the best, so I've always stuck with them. NOT saying other units are inferior, but I prefer Lowrance.
Also, I'd suggest checking out ebay. You can find some really good stuff on there if you do your homework. Guys with brand new units that are just previous years models. You can find some decent deals if you spend the time looking. If you need any help, I'd be glad to help out.
Hope this helps and enjoy the shopping process, it's always something I enjoy!
Edited by Merckid 4/4/2008 10:53 AM
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Location: Athens, Ohio | I just got a Lowrance 520C from Thorne Bros.
I highly recommend this unit - lowest priced color combo unit Lowrance makes without going into the Eagle brand. External GPS antenna. I also highly (!) recommend purchasing your product from John at Thornes. Their customer service was excellent. m |
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Posts: 158
Location: Burlington, WI | Thanks guys for the help. I'm going to take your suggestions and look into those units that you guys talked about. Time to do some homework. |
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Posts: 72
| Check out the Lowrance LMS-527C It's now available to handle High-Definition. I once had a Lowrance Rep. tell me that a external gps antenna would draw current from the battery even with the unit turned off. Is this the fix everyone is talking about? |
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Posts: 1270
| The external GPS puck will draw a small amount of power even when off but I don't think it's enought to worry about. Plus Lowrance recomends that a switch be put on the power line of the puck and if that's installed there will be no draw on the battery. |
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Fishfinder with GPS?