Plotter/Sounder combo? Brands? Models?

[Necessary Evil]

I'll be in the market for a plotter and sounder in the next few months. I assume a combo unit is the best way to go but I'm open to other ideas. I'm hoping to start a rancorous and abuse filled debate where brands are dissed, models are dissected, and electron's feelings are hurt.

The application is my Aquasport 22-2 which will be used by me and others in my family all of whom are, to varying degrees, electronically impaired. I therefore need something that has an intuitive operating system (think moron proof). I'd like as large a display as possible, but I don't want to overload my little console with something more appropriate for a Burke class destroyer. It must be weather and spilt beer proof. It need do no other tricks than show me where I am and what is underneath me. I'm thinking 7 to 10 inch screen?  And, of course, I'd like it to be affordable. I think if I steal my wife's engagement ring I can raise up to $1500, but I'd prefer to stay below $800. She can get a nice Cubic Zirconia for the difference and I am fond of her.

I've had Raymarine E-120's on my last two boats and I have mixed feelings about them. One, the 120 is way too big for this application. Two, I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than try to train my wife to operate one. Are the smaller Raymarine models easier to use? Three, the freakers lose DSM lock at least once a week. Do the smaller Ray's have this problem as well?

I see a lot of Garmins out there. They appear to be more Apple like in their operation. Any observations?

There is a Standard Horizon combo out there that is intriguing? Anybody got one?

Heap on the bs, lay on the shameless plugs, pitch me your crappy old obsolete POS's that you just upgraded. Let the electrons fly!

All advice is gratefully appreciated.

Happy Silly Season to all,

Charlie

[wingtime]

The Lowrance seemed to have the best UI that I've seen so far...  I had it figured out in just a few seconds...  simple and self explanatory...   I have a Garmin and the menus have to many levels and I have had it for over a year or so now and I don't have it 100% figured out.  I also think the sonar side of it could be better.

[Capt Matt]

Go Garmin if you want it to last forever it is very simple to use. I have a 546's with the blue chart chip in it and love the pictures. I also got the transducer that mounts inside the hull, it reads no matter what the speed and never hangs grass.
I had lowrance for 8yrs before making the switch and they are very easy to use too but just did not last for me.  The new Lowrance DTS I think it is called seem to last better as they finally made them waterproof.
Capt Matt

[Capt. Bob]

Search function is your friend.

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There are others (threads).
 
As always, first one's free.

[Double Trouble]

I dont like combo units if it craps out you have nothing and besides Garmin is known for their GPS units and rightly so but their recorders leave something to be desired. Agreat setup would be Garmin 740 GPS and Furuno FV585 recorder. A little pricey 2500 for both but well worth it. Just my 2 cents worth.

[seabob4]

DT,
What do you think about the Furuno FCV-620?

[Blue Agave]

Like Double Trouble I don't care for combo units. I like to have a machine dedicated as a GPS and a machine dedicated as a bottom machine. As far as what's best, that depends on you and the type of fishing you do. IMHO Furuno makes outstanding bottom machines and if you are a big bottom fisherman I'd go with Furuno.

[Double Trouble]

DT,
What do you think about the Furuno FCV-620?

Hi Bob the 620 is the same as the 585 with a smaller screen and about $300 less they both have great detail and simple to use.

[Capt Matt]

I think if you do a a lot of offshore fishing having two separate units is a must. For bay/shallow water fishing a combo unit does the trick.  In the split screen mode (Sonar/GPS) unless you have a large screen unit the displays are just too small on a 5 inch model.
Capt Matt

[gran398]

Gotta go with the guys, separates are better, especially offshore grouper fishing. And if you can swing it, go with a Furuno plotter.

[seabob4]

Agree entirely Matt.  On what would call a bay boat, with occasional offshore ventures more or less in one's home area, I don't see the need for a chart plotter.  A GPS, yes, a plotter no.  If coming back from offshore, one is familiar with the landmarks, as well as the local GPS coordinates, so navigating should be pretty much by sight and with a compass.

Venturing away from home is where the chart plotter comes in, but, if one has charts of the area (paper charts, that is) and a GPS, one will know exactly where one is at all times without the need for a screen...

I get a kick out of people cruising the ditch in Sarasota Bay, with the chart plotter on, say a Garmin 5212, showing where they are...OK, heading south, look to starboard, there's Longboat.  Look to port, there's the Ringling mansion.  Gee, wonder where the hell I am?  Thank God for that plotter...and these are local people!

Good FF, handheld GPS, and a paper chart, and you're good to go.  Of course, if you have the money and the boat...sky's the limit!

Am in the process of installing a Lowrance HDS-10 w/structure scan, radar, Sirius weather, and  Simrad AP compass overlay.  Cape Horn 23, so she has a bigger console.  Had to reconfigure the helm to make the HDS fit...

Before...



After...



Even bigger boats have a tough time fitting stuff in.  Yeah, I could've bracket mounted it on top of the dash, but...

[flounderpounder225]

Go Garmin if you want it to last forever it is very simple to use. I have a 546's with the blue chart chip in it and love the pictures. I also got the transducer that mounts inside the hull, it reads no matter what the speed and never hangs grass.
I had lowrance for 8yrs before making the switch and they are very easy to use too but just did not last for me.  The new Lowrance DTS I think it is called seem to last better as they finally made them waterproof.
Capt Matt

X2 on the Garmin, I have the 545, with the SD card, looks like google earth satellite pics as you are cruising along, I can see my house and vehicles in the driveway on the thing.

[Necessary Evil]

A compass is and a good chart is fine by me, but, picture this conversation, as I sit down with the little lady... "OK hun, the boat is yours this weekend. You and your girlfriends will please wear your PFD's right? Got plenty of wine in the cooler? OK, now this is the big, brand new, EZ4IDIOTS2UZE chartplotter hun. The big red button is ON. The big black one is OFF. You are the cute little boat icon in the middle of the screen. You see the tan bits on the picture on the screen? That is land, you cannot go there. And the blue bits are water. Now, if you look closely, you will see that some of these blue bits have very small numbers on them. You can only go so small hun, size matters here if nowhere else. And this big icon that says "home", well that is our marina. Try not to cross any tan bits getting back here. Have fun!" And I'm going to name the boat "Dockbuster."

So, if you are anywhere within 10 miles of Anna Maria next spring, be afraid, be  very afraid.

;)  Charlie

[Necessary Evil]

For the Garmin guys> I've gotten some feedback that the sounder function is not so good on Garmins. Stuf like low resolution and inability to measure very shallow water. Any truth to that?

And, although I've never respected the brand, Humminbird has a couple of bargain priced units that are tempting. I like the idea of being able to quickly yank them off and on. I also like having something that is not going to make some meth head theif's month when he steals it from me, as he inevitably will.

Always thinkin' :)

Charlie

[Circle Hooked]

Bob a Nav Pod would have been great there, shame they think they are made out of gold with the prices they want for them.

So, if you are anywhere within 10 miles of Anna Maria next spring, be afraid, be  very afraid.

I will remember that