Big Cliff Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 I am interested in getting a GPS/fish finder for the boat, I looked at the Lawrence M68C S/Map, does anyone have any experience with them, any recomendations? I do want colour, I do want a combination unit, I am sort of limited to space so I am thinking a compact rather than full size. Help please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonny Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 humminbird 798si Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuck Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Cliff, go with a larger screen unit, they are soooo much easier to read!! Spend a couple of extra dollars, you won't regret that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 I have a small screen Humminbird. Never again. Big screen is so much better to read. Especially with aging eyes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecmilley Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 all depends on your budget cliff, with the bigger screens you can split gps fishfinder functions and still easily read the screen. right now i am saving my pennies for a lowrance hds 8 unit thout the bnird 1157 or 997 are in the running as well. I have had about 8 graphs and had real good luck with the lowrance unit though they are a little$ I still have an old x-60 that works perfect, the lower line eagles i have had nothing put issues with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perodimi Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Memart and I both bought the Lowrance LMS 520C and are very happy with it but I'm not sure if they still make it. The newer one is the high definition HDS 5 but I've heard there are some issues with them. Just remember you'll still need a GPS map card to have a map overlay. We found the best prices were at Radioworld when the spring fishing shows were on. They are very restrictive with returns etc. Of course, Bass Pro is the other option. Cliff, whatever you decide on, I can pick it up for you here in Toronto and bring it to you in Lindsay if you need, just let me know. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Thanks for the replies! My budget is about $750.00 (but if Sue doesn't find out I could go a little higher, up to $1000.00). I have also been told by a very trusted source to stay away from the HDS units as there were some issues with them. I'm still looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Cliff, we wanted to have a decent sized screen also, but the all-in-one units where just to expensive and when you split the screen, they ended up smaller anyhow. I know you mentioned you have limited room, but have you ever thought about a separate graph and chartplotter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillj Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 I mounted my 565 on a piece of plywood with a stand for my H2Oc ... I like it because its very portable and its really easy to deal with batteries ... 2 AA for the H20c and one gell cell 12V for the 565 ... I think its a great compromise and I feel like I have the best of both worlds ... because I mounted it on a 'pop-in' mount I can take the GPS into the bush with me ... which is handy in the winter too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecmilley Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Cliff the problems with the hds units were a software issue that was taken care of with a simple download, and that was the first units in canada just to get them out to the shows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted July 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 Well, I am still looking, just saw a really nice hand held GPS, the Garmin Colorado 300 (LOVE this thing) but after talking with Garmin's marine devision they told me that they had some issues with their newer Blue Chart packages and that they had been recalled. I really have to give Garmin technical support a lot of credit, they have been VERY helpful any time I have called them. Their Great Lakes map package doesn't contain enough detailed information for what I want and my off shore navigator software won't communicate with the 300 so that ruled out a lot of units and options, I am just going to keep looking and hopfully get it right some day soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumma Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 Cliff I am a big fan of the Lowrance units. I Like the big screen units for a different reason. If you decide to get radar for the unit and you want to split screen it with the plotter the smaller screens will only allow you to do one or the other. I have used the split screen and with the both of them you can see your position of your boat and also actual reflections that I.D. other boats and reflection devices. It also lets you see more of a split screen graph/ plotter. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted July 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 Thanks Art! I really like Lowrance units too, my boat is only small and I doubt I'll be traveling much further than my home lake with it so I probably won't ever bother getting radar. It's amazing how many options and configurations there are out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perodimi Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 Cliff, Pm sent... Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Peter, thank you so much! Very nice of you to offer! I am really looking forward to getting a chance to fish with you one day soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outdoorguy61 Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Humminbird 787ci or a 787c will give you the most for your dollar. outdoorguy61 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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