GPS Debate

[GitchaSome]

Hey yall,

My dad and I might be looking into getting a 27T contender next year. If we do I am trying to debate what type of electronics to get, Basically I am looking for a 3 in one GPS, Sonar and Radar. Any suggestions on what you think is best?

[Questsportfishing]

simple and easy ! keep it simple also! save money and do it right all the way down to grounds,wires and fuses! get the template and say roto-zip is my friend!

[clt_capt]

I'll have to say that I personally prefer separate units. That way I don't have to fumble around between modes.

I could easily see a black box install with 2 identical display heads - then I could have 2 of 3 functions full screen at all times.

Just my opinion...

[fmoore]

I'll have to say that I personally prefer separate units. That way I don't have to fumble around between modes.

I could easily see a black box install with 2 identical display heads - then I could have 2 of 3 functions full screen at all times.

Just my opinion...

Agree 100% - 1 unit is a PITA. I will nver own a boat with only one screen, no matter how big.

[Deep C]

Furuno would be the way to go... They have a few models... As mentioned the do alls are fine until they quit. Just ask Charlie about our Raymarine E120 in the Bahamas last year. One goes down and it all goes down.
The new boat we have units that can take the other's input plugs if they fail...

[Questsportfishing]

Like I said before keep it simple and try this out .. go to west marines big display of electronics... look at the garmin..play with it... look at running two smaller ones together side by side on the dash now ... will they fit?

[gottaflylee]

After useing most of them out there on my boat and others, I have only one word gor you...Furuno. I do not advise that you go with 1 unit to do it all, your asking for trouble in the long run if something goes wrong with one thing, your main unit has to be sent off and fixed and you have nothing on your boat to use...

[Seaker]

It's not a ford vs chevy deal by any means but my expierence would follow the words of Capt. Lee ...you need seperate units trust me they all can develope a hicup.

Now with that said this is what I would do:

1) Call Contender Mary (Lucky Lady)and spend some quality time on the phone with her. You said you were looking into Contenders and I can almost gaaaruntie that she has seen more electronic set ups in contenders than anyone on the board.

She will (with 100% certanty on my part) give you the straight scoop without any side pitches or curve balls.

After you have made your choices then get the best installer you can find and have everything done aircraft quality...water proof every connection, get the best fittings available...take no corners in this area and your gear should stand the test of time.

2) Use your gear every day your on the boat..become super efficient with it. Know how to tune your radar, your fishfinder. Use it on sunny days, cloudy days because when you need that radar you will also need 100% confidence in it and your ability to use it.

I am partial to Furuno but also have Northstar and Garmin on board..

3) One last point ..give serious consideration to adding XM weather to whatever choice you make. It will save your bacon more than once a season

Good luck and catchemup

[livetofishnj]

After useing most of them out there on my boat and others, I have only one word gor you...Furuno. I do not advise that you go with 1 unit to do it all, your asking for trouble in the long run if something goes wrong with one thing, your main unit has to be sent off and fixed and you have nothing on your boat to use...

Lee, I thought the same thing, but with the way things are set up where the different units are all separate but connected through a black box is it still as big an issue? I would think that you are ok and just lose one function unless the black box itself craps out.

[seapower]

Just because they are hooking them all up together these days ,doesn't make it good. Capt. Lee is dead on. I'd listen to experience not ease of use. You can make space for needed gear. My boat is only 25ft and has 2 of everything, vhf's,anteneas, bottom machines, gps plotters, engines, batteries etc... None are connected together, all are stand alone. Something can and WILL happen out there, don't set yourself up. When I dought my boat there was 1 chartplotter, and no compass on the boat. I asked the guy what happens when this unit quits, dead silence was his response. Needless to say I bought the boat and rigged it just like my commercial boats for the last 30 years. It will quit at the worst possible time. Redunancy is cheap insurance. Frank