Chartplotter/GPS suggestions

P

Prince

Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2005
RO Number
19381
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60
Seeking advice for a chartplotter for inland lake use. I would like at least a 5 inch screen. The odd thing I have noticed while shopping is that the GPS/Sonar combos are considerably cheaper than the standalone chartplotters. The Lowrance elite combo models are on sale now the 5 inch for $299 and the 7 inch for $449. Have read some comments about the Lowrance units intermittently shutting down and a restart brings them right back up. I like the Garmin echomap series from what I can find out about them. I am not interested in any type of networking. Unit would be on a flybridge with bimini top so internal antenna would be ok. Having sonar would not be a bad idea; the transducer selection is limited since I would need an in hull (shoot through) because there is no travel lift on my lake.
 
For out putting around local waters an iPad or even iPhone with a lifeproof case works just fine... If you really want to spend some $, it s hard to go wrong with Garmin for ease of use
 
Is the unit you're gonna pick have the charts for the lake already installed? Are charts available? Otherwise you will only be able to leave "bread crumbs" so you can find your way back. Useful, but not like running on fully charted waters.

My vote is for the Garmin 740. VERY daylight readable. Never heard of one having to reboot. Very fast display. US charts, if available, are built in.
 
Thanks for your responses. I am leaning towards the Garmin Echomap 70s; preloaded with LakeVu HD and about half the price of a Gpsmap 741.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Prince

Thanks for your responses. I am leaning towards the Garmin Echomap 70s; preloaded with LakeVu HD and about half the price of a Gpsmap 741.

Click to expand...
I assume you mean the 740S?
The 741S has a video input and the NMEA2000 networking is upgraded.
Both are great units and easy to use.
Bill
 
I have a Garmin 4210 that is a few years old and works flawlessly. I really love the bigger screen and highly recommend that you get the biggest screen you can go for.
We have a Garmin 740 (?) on my Uncle's fishing boat that we are also very happy with.
We have a couple of portable Garmin GPS's that we use in the family cars that don't have built in GPS and they are great too.
 
The boat I recently purchased came with an older Garmin. Not a fan of it.

I have had great luck with the Lowrance product. My old boat had the Eite 5 DSI. I just bought the Elite 7 HDI for the new boat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

quote:
Originally posted by Prince

Thanks for your responses. I am leaning towards the Garmin Echomap 70s; preloaded with LakeVu HD and about half the price of a Gpsmap 741.

Click to expand...
I assume you mean the 740S?
The 741S has a video input and the NMEA2000 networking is upgraded.
Both are great units and easy to use.
Bill

Click to expand...


Bill,
Thanks for your comment. The Garmin Echomap series are GPS/Sonar combination units. The Echomap 70S is a seven inch screen similar to the 700 series and can be ordered with LakeVu or Coastal maps. I just want a standalone chartplotter to navigate a man made lake with numerous coves off the main body of the lake.
 
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