GPS/Chart Plotter

[White Whale]

I am in the market for a good chartplotter. It is for a 23' Boston Whaler. We do a good bit of trolling and other inshore fishing. I have been looking at lots of models and have seen alot of good stuff, but there is a pretty big price range to choose from. I am not leaning towards any specific brand and don't think that a color screen is worth the extra cash. I have looked at some of the multi function system that Lowrance and Raymarine have and am on the fence about them.

Any Suggestions?

Thanks!

[Glenn W]

If you want the location for every Burger King in Topeka, KS get the Lowrance. Otherwise, it's hard to beat Garmin or Furuno. If you are looking at a GPS/sounder I can't say enough bad things about Lowrance-- check out the Furuno units.

[74Formula233]

I honestly think you can't beat Garmin for GPS, ..... their Bluechart is simply awesome. I do think the color is worth it. I have used color and B&W, and color is a WORLD of difference if you can afford it.

However, I wouldn't personally use their fishfinder. I would use Furuno or Si-Tex all day before using Garmin for a FF.

The benefit of having all "stand-alone" electronics is that you can pick and choose among the best products for each function. And you will have some "redundancy" in case of unit failure.

I have no need to integrate my units, although I CAN integrate my Garmin GPS (182C) and Si-Tex FF (CVS-106L) so that I can mark spots using either touchpad. But why bother when both screens are so close to each other?

Good luck in your quest, do your research

[Mist-Rest]

If you want a mono unit I have a 232 Garmin, 73 hours old and not a scratch on it that I would like to get rid of. I was going to use it as a back up and went with a hand held instead. It has this areas chip in it (Merrimack River/Newburyport MA) PM if you have any interest. It needs nothing but a new home. I only replaced it due to the purchace of a C120 with all the add ons.

[Overboard]

I just purchased a garmin 182 color.... It's simply awesome... After I had purchased a new one I found a used one for a much cheaper price (go figure). I think the guy still has it for sale, he too upgraded. Send me a bmail if you want his e-mail.

I don't know him just seen it listed in a classifed section on another board.

[Tony_C]

Eric,

Do you like your SITEX CVS-106L?

I have the 106 CRT model and I wish I had bought a Furuno.

Power sucks and its noisy as a bugger unlees you're idling along.

[White Whale]

Thanks for all of the info, I have spent some time reading up on the Garmin's. Does anybody use the "blue chart" chips for there garmin? How does that stack up against a normal chart?

Mist-Rest, thinks for the heads up, I will keep you in mind. Just want to do a little more hunting!!

[Fish Tale Charters]

For my two cents I'd go with the Raymarine products. I've been using them for the last 6 years. Very user friendly and dependable. The c seires makes 3 size screens. 7" 8" 12". With the digital sounder you can see a quarter on the ocean floor. You can also run it as a raydar if you get the raydome for it. 3 functions in one unit. If close on space at the helm you'll get one to fit. I think its the way to go.

[HANG ON]

i have the lorance 19c and love it

[BayRunner Rods]

I also recommend the Raymarine units. I run a 2 year old SL72 GPS/Chartplotter/Radar and love it. The new (last year) C-series has good reviews. This was my first color system and I feel it was worth the extra money. The display is awesome.