tomkat Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 Just wondering what people prefer pros cons? The new boat I am getting comes with a basic fishfinder I have a dedicated gps unit to add or I could upgrade to a larger combo unit.
Big Cliff Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 I bought a HDS-5 when I got my new boat 4 years ago and I love it! I really like having both the sonar and GPS on the screen at the same time and it takes up a lot less dash space than having two seperate units. If I want, I can switch easily between sonar or GPS, or have both and adjust their size on the screen. It also means less wiring harnesses and things to connect which made the install easier. Upgrades are simple to install when they do come out because they usually apply to both so one quick update and you have it. The downside is that if the unit does go down, you loose both, that isn't a big deal for me and in 4 years it hasn't happened (touch wood). I also think that sometimes dedicated units do give you a little better quality although I have no complaints about the quality of my unit! 6 of 1, half a dozen of the other I guess but if doing it again I would go with what I have.
mike rousseau Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 I've used seperate units and this year I'll have seperate units... Both a humminbird GPS/sonar combos... So 1 will be used as GPS and the other sonar.. Biggest advantage... If 1 unit fails I can use the other as a combo again...
MrSimon Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 I have a Humminbird combo unit and love it. Less wiring, less clutter, less cost (maybe), and some extra functionality like the iPilot link stuff where the GPS enabled sonar unit can basically drive my boat for me. I'm not concerned about it breaking. I've never had a fish finder break while I was out fishing, and if it did it would only be a small inconvenience for a few days. I'm also not concerned about the GPS breaking .... I don't fish anywhere where I truly NEED GPS anyway. It's just a 'nice to have'.
lew Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 Only my opinion, but I've always found images too small when you split a 5" screen for both sonar & GPS. I've got a 7" GPS on the dash in front of me and a 5" sonar on the left side consol and then another 5" up on the bow. The one on the left side is close enough to be able to see it with no problem and it still gives me a full 7" screen for GPS. Everybodies gonna have their own opinion though.
Terry Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 I like separate units myself, my units have both but I use a hds8 for fishfinder and sidescan and a hds5 as gps if one dies I can use either for both functions while I send in the dead one for repairs
tomkat Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Posted March 27, 2015 The boat comes with lowrance x3 and I have the elite 5 gps I was thinking of going to elite 7 but I can always add my gps which won't cost any extra. Already spent more than I planned anyways.
Big Cliff Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 I couldn't afford two really good units and my dash is small so that is why I opted for my unit. I guess it really depends on where you fish, how you fish, and what your priorities are.
lew Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 Already spent more than I planned anyways. Don't we all...every time
Sinker Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 I find the 5" screen small when split to gps/graph too. I spend more time zooming in/out than actually fishing and navigating. A separate dedicated GPS is the way to go if you have the space and money for it. S.
Garnet Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 A 12 inch gps and a 12 inch sideimage and a 12 inch fishfinder and a 12 inch down scan is the way to go. Should be able to get that done for 15k. Not to realistic but would be nice . Buy the best and biggest you can afford.
tomkat Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Posted March 27, 2015 Think I might just go with what I have for now I can always upgrade it if I feel the need thanks for the input. Got a lund rebel 1650 walkthrough I think the max might be a 7 inch screen due to space. I'll see when I pick it up. Thanks for the input
Big Cliff Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 Got a 164 PrinceCraft walk through so similar in size. It is really going to depend on what you need. I use the GPS when I want to go to a specific spot then the sonar to work the area. From my experience, get what you want now, the resale value on anything used is not going to be anything close to it's value even if you haven't used it.
tomkat Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Posted March 27, 2015 Yeah I usually troll or cast for musky so I find the gps the most useful of the two.
Mister G Posted March 28, 2015 Report Posted March 28, 2015 The boat comes with lowrance x3 and I have the elite 5 gps I was thinking of going to elite 7 but I can always add my gps which won't cost any extra. Already spent more than I planned anyways. You should be able to opt out of the unit that comes with the boat for a credit that can then be used to actually purchase what you really want. I have a new boat on order and it would of came with a Lowrance X4 fish finder only. However, I already have 2 Lowrance LMS 520c units that are networked together on my old boat that I will be taking off and re-installing on the new fishing machine. I am getting $145 off the boat price by not getting the factory fish finder they offer. Good Luck and enjoy the new boat. I'm sure you can't wait to get it. I hope mine will be built and arrive by late April as the dealer promised me. I knew I should not have gone to the boat show.......LOL....those free tickets cost me over 27K ....
Yellow Fever Posted March 28, 2015 Report Posted March 28, 2015 Big fan of the multiple units here. I have 2 HDS 8 at the bow and a 12 and a 9 at the console. Love the extra detail with the full size screens. There are some excellent deals on the HDS gen 2 out there . I am a big believer in buying once even if itt means a small sacrifice to get it done....(somebody goes without food for a while)..also I never remove my units
landry Posted March 28, 2015 Report Posted March 28, 2015 Yellow fever - your graphs are worth as much as my boat almost. Wow.
Yellow Fever Posted March 28, 2015 Report Posted March 28, 2015 Landry....I have no vices and other than golf fishing is my lifes passion....its all I do
landry Posted March 28, 2015 Report Posted March 28, 2015 I have no other vices either but I have two kids. They r awesome but dam expensive. Lol.
fishdawg Posted March 29, 2015 Report Posted March 29, 2015 I also agree on having 2 separate unit that use the same plugs and connections. Not as necessary for small inland lakes or smaller boats, but certainly is advantageous for big water.
Dan668 Posted March 29, 2015 Report Posted March 29, 2015 I use an hds 10 split screen but may consider adding a second small unit for gps. Any pics of your setup terry?
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