I need input!!!

[Deep C]

Had a cancellation today. Don't worry. After 103 trips this year all ready, I don't mind having a day to relax the sphincter a little.

Being Deep isn't always easy. Too many projects going on to focus too long on any one. I have the SJ Shark tourney to win for Admin and the boys, Mako Mania's title to defend. Already loading up for OCWMO, MA500 and any other events that I may be called to. Dealing with domestic issues like a Mini Deep that is now full swing teenage and a royal pain in the scuppers. Stock piling baits, scheduling stuff...
Then comes the boat. A shopping list a yard long of stuff to have done while I'm gone this summer... Change belts, lines, etc. Fix this and change that kind of stuff for the mechanics. More little stuff for the glass man.

Then I was sitting there and it dawned on me that my electronics are circa 1991 and could use a little touching up.
This is where I am drawing a blank... I run so many different boats including mine that all the stuff becomes a blur. I don't need fancy but some upgrading is in order. I'm totally out of the loop on whats what, costs, etc.
Where I would like to go first and foremost is to get a combo unit... Gps/ Chartplotter with a really good depth finder...

Bingo!!! theres the question I have just burnt all thses words trying to ask!!!

I'll detail what I'm looking for... A gps / chartplotter that will show me what bottom structure should be in front of me. I guess that stuff invoves "chips".
Then I need the depthfinder to shoot me a clean picture to 1500'. I have had too many units that say 1500 and crap out at 800... Now the tough part... I'm still so broke I can't pay attention, after dealing with the broke motor from hell last year... Budget is a way big factor...
So dear fellow SFC members I need input. I'm currently running Furuno stuff that I really like and was hoping to use same antennas/ transducer for. I don't know if this is possible... I need any info you guys think might help me find the right unit...

[KEY-LIME-PIE]

DEEP C, I'M SORRY BROTHER I'LL LET YOU DOWN SLOWLY!!! IF YOU LIKE YOU CAN JUST HAND ME THE TITLE FOR THE MAKO MANIA NOW OR WAIT UNTILL WE MEET @ THE REGISTRATION BOOTH. LOL! YOU SOUND VERY BUSY HAVE A GREAT SEASON. TOM...KEY-LIME-PIE

[captadamnj]

Once you go to a full-blown chartplotter, your world will never be the same. All those numbers where you know you can go to catch fish, you're gonna be able to spend even more time over them. Whatever technology you go with, make sure you can get a bathymetric chart for the plotter.

Everyone will have brand preferences. Raymarine and Furuno pretty much lead the way in combo units right now. I'm a big Furuno person myself, and that's what I'm rigged up with. Digital sounding technology from Raymarine is supposedly the "next big thing" in fish finding, and Furuno has been later to market with similar technology.

You'll have to decide if you want to buy an all-in-one combo unit or a couple separate pieces of equipment. The combo units come with a separate "black box" that is the "brains" behind the sounding technology. Raymarine has their E-Series and Furuno has Navnet vx2 as the latest technologies. You'll have to decide on screen size, as well.

GPS/chartplotters will likely come with new antennas. The card/chip with the charts will be an add-on cost, expect to pay from $80 - $300 depending on the area of coverage you want per chip. As for transducers, I would suggest a new one. And here is where I wouldn't skimp on spending money. The best sounder in the world is no good without a good transducer. More expensive transducers provide narrower beam widths for better target discrimination. Most machines from leading manufacturers are dual frequency, 50/200 kHz (with 50 better in deeper depths). For the depths you want, you will want at least 1 kW of power and might consider 2 kW. But I'd spend the money on a narrower beam width vs. more power myself.

Hope that helps. Good luck in your upcoming tournaments.

[Deep C]

KEy Lime
Don'rt worry, I won't be making your my money... this time...I'm talking about the real Mako Mania up at MAnasquan inlet... The one that runs with three hundred plus of the mako craziest buggers that ever hit the Atlantic...

Just couldn't stand it so I went down and looked at a Furuno 1650... $$$ when you get done with the transducer and chip... That was the low end...

Looked at a few others and I guess it will be a while unless I go with the little bitty garmin 178c...

[Proheat]

Paul, I'm close to pulling the trigger on a new combo unit. I've narrowed it down to the Furuno vx2 system. I've been watching ebay and a few other sites as well. The best prices that I have found are from BOE. I will post a link to thier site.

www.byownerelectronics.com/store/home.php

Hope this helps.

[KEY-LIME-PIE]

HEY DEEP,
THAT SOUNDS LIKE FUN! DO YOU THINK YOU'LL NEED ANY HELP UP THERE? IF SO I VOLUNTEER MYSELF, I WOULD LOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SHARK FISHING! THANKS TOM...KEY-LIME-PIE

[Deep C]

KLP
I wish I could say yes but the boat isn't mine and shes full up... After SJ Shark, June 8-11th I may head straight back south to do a favor for my wife and daughter. I could be talked into doing an OC training trip on the 12th...

[Finesse]

Deep

Furuno's GP7000F is the most recent addition to the combo GPS/fishfinder line. The 7000 took NEMA's 2005 award for best fishfinder (even though its a combo unit) its also rated for 600/1Kw.

I'll admit Furuno bias .... but the equipment has never let me down .... I have their radar and gps on the boat currently and have been eyeing the newest FF, the Digital FCV585 as an upgrade ( the I've seen the new digital FCV 620 FF ... nice stuff). The NavNet 1834 was also listed as best radar by PBR a month or two ago....

I'll second Proheat on Byownerelectronics .... I've meet the owner Jim M, purchased some gear from him and talked to him a bunch about the NavNets ...great guy

[Deep C]

I too am a furuno fan. Radar I'm good to go with a good unit there. My df and gps are also good. Just looking for a bit of an up grade... I have Furuno combos on most of the other boats I run.. Draw back is pricoing... For a slight upgrade they sure want a lot of $$$...