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Old 03-09-2013, 11:12 AM
 
46 posts, read 78,440 times
Reputation: 33

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Well, we finally got our home on the water. It came with a beater boat which will do until the hubby retires. I'm looking for information on a decent fish finder/ chart plotter/ GPS. It would be nice to surprise my hubby with it on our next trip down there. He is always amazed at how I come up with the perfect solution. I ask... LOL
Does anyone have recommendations on one below $1000 ? What should I look for? Best navigational maps installed? Good screen size? We are complete newbies at saltwater fishing. But we love fishing.... And Big House... Hubby likes beer with his fishing.
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Old 03-09-2013, 11:39 AM
 
Location: Florida
1,646 posts, read 3,026,086 times
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For the money you can't go wrong with a Garmin in the ~$500 range. There are more sophisticated units but you will spend more time trying to figure out how to use them than anything else. I am not familiar with their newer models so I can't give you a recommendation there.
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Old 03-09-2013, 12:37 PM
 
Location: Anthem, AZ
2,118 posts, read 3,776,417 times
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Garmin....buy new, not used. I got a 441S right before Christmas on sale for $349.
The regular price is 500. 441 means 4" screen, which is fine for a boat under 25'.
The S in the model number stands for "Sounder" meaning depth finder / fish finder.
You may also need to buy a transducer separately for depth finding.

Look here.
Electronics - GPS, Radar & Weather - Chartplotters - GARMIN at West Marine
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:15 PM
 
Location: Port Charlotte, FL - Dallas, PA
5,172 posts, read 4,943,999 times
Reputation: 5087
Make sure that you do your homework and confirm what is included. Some units are GPS/chart plotters with the capability to add fish finder, radar, weather, etc. but only if you install a sounder and transducer after you buy them separately. Incidentally, I have a Garmin GPSMap which I'm very pleased with. Don't know if they have any models under $1,000.
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Old 03-09-2013, 02:11 PM
 
Location: Port Charlotte
252 posts, read 388,464 times
Reputation: 91
I use an older Garmin marine gps which gives depth,channels and a lot of reefs by gps,not a depth sounder. Is accurate to navigate narrow shallow channels.Newer ones are much better.
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Old 03-09-2013, 04:25 PM
 
1,917 posts, read 2,630,654 times
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I have always used Garmin and I would never purchase any other brand.

As was stated above purchase a new one this will insure that you can get the charts you need.

Gary
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Old 03-09-2013, 04:37 PM
 
Location: Port Charlotte
1,721 posts, read 2,786,584 times
Reputation: 387
I e got a garmin 4" combo gps and depthsounder. 454s i think.
It easy to install having a internal gps antenna makes it alot
Easier if it a small boat with little overhead.
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Old 03-10-2013, 11:37 AM
 
Location: Lemon Bay, Englewood, FL
3,179 posts, read 6,001,502 times
Reputation: 1170
Garmin 541s. 5" screen and has fish sounder, all maps installed. Cant beat it.
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Old 03-12-2013, 07:59 PM
 
46 posts, read 78,440 times
Reputation: 33
Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I now have a clue what to look for. Sounds like Garmin is a winner.
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Old 03-13-2013, 06:29 AM
 
Location: Port Charlotte
1,721 posts, read 2,786,584 times
Reputation: 387
If you get a garmin i dont know if the new units dtill have this but there was a g2 vision card you could add to greatly enhance the maps. It was.
Pricy but nice to have and you could keep it for your newer larger units.
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